Dick Dale, King of the Surf Guitar, dies aged 81

The surf rock pioneer passed away on Saturday night (16th March), his bassist Sam Bolle confirmed to the Guardian.

Born Richard Anthony Monsour in Boston, Massachusetts in May 1937, Dale is best known for his 1962 cover of the Greek folk song ‘Misirlou’, which brought together rock and Middle Eastern influences. His instrumental music was influenced by his Lebanese heritage.

More than decades on from its original release, ‘Misirlou’ reached a new wave of music fans when Quentin Tarantino used it at the start of his 1994 movie Pulp Fiction.

Cited as a huge inspiration to musicians including Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Ry Cooder and Scott Gorham, despite his legendary status, Dale fell on hard times in recent years due to the cost of his medical fees.  

In an interview with Vice Magazine in in 2012, the then 75-year-old Dale explained why he was still performing against the advice of doctors while battling cancer and diabetes.

"They say I should never be on stage, I shouldn't be playing," he said: "My medical bill is over $3,000 a month to buy supplies I have to get for my body."

Dale’s friend and former bandmate, drummer Dusty Watson, wrote on Facebook, “The legend and king of surf guitar has passed. Condolences to family and friends and all those who were touched by your undeniable presence. Rest In Peace friend.”

Paying tribute, Joe Bonamassa hailed Dick Dale as a “true original”, “(an) American icon and a gentleman of the highest order.”

Queen’s Brian May said “we all owe you” and added “I wish I’d met him. But truly we all benefit from his trailblazing.”

Dick Dale is survived by his wife Lana and son Jimmie.

You can read some of the tributes from across the rock world 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) March 17, 2019

> Sad 2 hear the 'King of the Surf Guitar'
> Dick Dale has passed on, RIP... > > — Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) March 18, 2019

> RIP Dick Dale. King Of The Surf Guitar. > > — Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) March 18, 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) March 18, 2019

> RIP Dick Dale > > — Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) March 17, 2019

> Thank you Dick Dale for all the music 💔 https://t.co/RN9MeTpOtP > > — Fender (@Fender) March 17, 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) March 17, 2019