MIM: Universally acclaimed as a rock pioneer and “King of Surf Guitar”, Dick Dale brought a bold new sound to early sixties rock with hits such as “Let’s Go Trippin” and “Miserlou”. While his music is closely associated with Southern California’s surfing culture, it was also influenced by the music of his Lebanese family background; Gene Krupa’s big-band drumming; and Dale’s early studies in trumpet, drums, and ukulele.
Part of Dick Dale’s unique guitar style stems from the fact that he is a left-handed guitarist who plays “upside down”, ie: without reversing the strings for left-handed playing. His thunderous tonality, which earned him the title “Father of Heavy Metal”, was also the result of a close collaboration with electric-guitar pioneer Leo Fender. The Dick Dale sound has become deeply ingrained in American popular culter. It was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s popular 1994 film Pulp Fiction. And the Black Eyed Peas’ 2005 hit “Pump It” contains a sample of Dales signature song, “Miserlou”.
Dick is a legend in his own right and I came to appreciate and respect his music over the course of this show. He played with his son Jimmy, a killer musician as well, and they enraptured the sold-out crowd for over an hour. Dick had a friendly bantering style – he’d banter to the audience, he’d banter to himself, but mostly he banter to his son who’d return with an eye-roll and a shrug. It did not appear scripted – Dick made up his monolog as he went along and was very entertaining.
For someone I hadn’t heard of, I was amazed at the number of songs I knew. Dick had a harder-edge style of surf music. It was more early Frankie Valen and less pop-y Beach Boys. Dick would demonstrate and teach along the way, frequently interrupting songs to point out cords or styles. It was a fun and educational show all around.
