Final answer:
The Beach Boys were established in 1961 and had many hits before 'Kokomo' which was released in 1988. Surf Rock's prevalence in the 1960s was shaped by performance venues, with bands like The Kingsmen and The Ventures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'Kokomo' was the Beach Boys' first song is incorrect. The Beach Boys, with their harmonic surf rock sound, were actually established in 1961 and had numerous hits before 'Kokomo' which was released in 1988. Surf Rock as a genre was first recognized during the 1960s in the Pacific Northwest and it was known for its instrumental focus due to the noisy environment of dance halls where singers couldn't be heard clearly. This led to the genre being shaped by the performance venues, with bands like The Kingsmen and The Ventures becoming popular, with hits such as 'Louie Louie' and 'Walk Don't Run'. Although the Surf Rock sound declined around 1970, and there was a generation where the Seattle region was overlooked for new talent, it's important to note that the beach-inspired, harmonic melodies of the Beach Boys had secured their popularity much earlier than 1988.