Surf guitar legend Dick Dale dies, aged 81
Guitarist Dick Dale, often described affectionately as the 'King of the Surf Guitar', has passed away at the age of 81. The cause of death has yet to be reported, but the guitarist was known to be suffering from ill health for a number of years and reportedly died on Saturday evening, according to Dale's live bassist Sam Bolle.
Best-known for his hit 'Misirlou', which served as the title them to Quentin Tarantino's 1994 movie Pulp Fiction, Dale burst onto the scene in the 1960s and is credited with being one of the first rock guitarists to use non-Western scales, inventing a unique playing style that became hugely influential on later guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.
Dale also worked extensively with manufacturers such as Fender and was one of the people behind the first 100 watt amplifier ever produced.
Since his death, tributes from across the music industry and beyond have poured onto social media, some of which you can find below:
Rest In Peace Dick Dale... True original, So Cal Surf, American icon and a gentlemen of the highest order. pic.twitter.com/G3Uw5Xk055
— Joe Bonamassa (Official) (@JBONAMASSA) 17 March 2019
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 Surfin’ USA album in ‘63. Love & Mercy to Dick’s family. pic.twitter.com/QPd2wzo7zB
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) 18 March 2019
Once I drove an hour and half to see Dick Dale perform at a horse track, and it was wonderful. RIP. https://t.co/ds8OrWKR4N
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) 17 March 2019
R.I.P. #DickDale, King of the Surf Guitar. I was lucky enough to see him play once. He broke a high E string, and made a point of saying, “That was a .16, not one of those candy-ass .10s”. #allhail
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) 17 March 2019
Dick Dale, who will forever remain a guitar God. May his spirit rest in peace. We will meet again brother. pic.twitter.com/tf77lcQGWy
— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) 18 March 2019
