According to dictionary.com a “Renaissance Man” is defined as, “a person with many talents or areas of knowledge.” I would say that this is the perfect way to define Dick Dale. He surfed, played guitar as well as many other instruments, road motorcycles was an activist and an animal lover and much more. He was a pioneer, an innovator and completely original. That is something that is hard to be in our world today.
His unique approach to playing guitar created a whole new genre of rock music. His music would go on to inspire the creation of other genres of music including punk, garage rock, psychabilly, indie and goth music… If I had to talk about all the amazing musicians, who have been inspired by Dick Dale’s guitar playing this blog would probably get put into the Guiness Book of World Records in the category for world’s longest blog. Instead, I’ve chosen to feature some tributes from musicians who admired and or knew him.
“I’m sorry to hear about Dick Dale passing. Dick’s guitar playing was a big influence on all of us, and we covered “Misirlou” on our Surfing USA album in 1963. Love and mercy to Dick’s family.”
– Brian Wilson /The Beach Boys
“Dick Dale, who will forever remain a guitar God. May his spirit rest in peace. We will meet again brother…”
– Rick Springfield
“It is saddening to hear of the passing of the incredible Dick Dale. I spent many moments learning his massive reverbed guitar licks in my bedroom, and still enjoy playing “Nitro” whenever I can. Sadly, I never got to meet him. A unique innovator of the guitar with pick melting style and swagger for miles. I can remember traveling up from Pontiac to Detroit by myself to watch him play when I was sixteen. That upside down gold sparkle Fender of his needs to be hung up some place special. Dick Dale, King of the Surf Guitar.”
– Jack White III
I think Jack White III describes what a lot of other guitar rockers like Jim Heath a.k.a. the Reverend Horton Heat, Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Setzer and other killer guitar players all did when they were first learning. They practiced and learned technique and tried to master songs by Dick Dale. I’m willing to bet money on that! For more info about Dick Dale go to www.dickdale.com. We here at Rock-n-Roll.biz send our thoughts and prayers to his family.