DICK DALE
BIO:
The Dick Dale Phenomenon. His style is something different and unique. Since his first appearances Balboa, Ca. at the famed Rendezvous Ballroom, he has set and broken attendance records everywhere he's performed. His appearances at the Rendezvous Ballroom broke every existing record for the Ballroom by drawing capacity crowds of over four thousand screaming dancing fans every weekend each night down on the Balboa peninsula.
Dick Dale invented surf music in the 1950's. Not the '60's as is commonly believed. He was given the title "King of the Surf Guitar" by his fellow surfers with whom he surfed with from sun-up to sun-down. He met Leo Fender the guitar and amplifier Guru and Leo asked Dale to play his newly creation, the Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar. The minute Dale picked up the guitar, Leo Fender broke into uncontrolled laughter and disbelief, he was watching Dale play a right handed guitar upside down and backwards, Dale was playing a right handed guitar left handed and changing the chords in his head then transposing the chords to his hands to create a sound never heard before.
Leo Fender gave the Fender Stratocaster along with a Fender Amp to Dale and told him to beat it to death and tell him what he thought of it. Dale took the guitar and started to beat it to death, and he blew up Leo Fender's amp and blew out the speaker. Dale proceeded to blow up forty nine amps and speakers; they would actually catch on fire. Leo would say, 'Dick, why do you have to play so loud?' Dale would explain that he wanted to create the sound of Gene Krupa the famous jazz drummer that created the sounds of the native dancers in the jungles along with the roar of mother nature's creature's and the roar of the ocean.
Leo Fender kept giving Dale amps and Dale kept blowing them up! Till one night Leo and his right hand man Freddy T. went down to the Rendezvous Ballroom on the Balboa Peninsula in Balboa, California and stood in the middle of Four Thousand screaming dancing Dick Dale fans and said to Freddy, I now know what Dick Dale is trying to tell me. Back to the drawing board. A special 85 watt output transformer was made that peaked 100 watts when dale would pump up the volume of his amp, this transformer would create the sounds along with Dale's style of playing, the kind of sounds that Dale dreamed of. BUT! they now needed a speaker that would handle the power and not burn up from the volume that would come from Dale's guitar.
Leo, Freddy and Dale went to the James B. Lansing speaker company, and they explained that they wanted a fifteen inch speaker built to their specifications. That speaker would soon be known as the 15' JBL -D130 speaker. It made the complete package for Dale to play through and was named the Single Showman Amp. When Dale plugged his Fender Stratocaster guitar into the new Showman Amp and speaker cabinet, Dale became the first creature on earth to jump from the volume scale of a modest quiet guitar player on a scale of 4 to blasting up through the volume scale to TEN! That is when Dale became the "Father of Heavy Metal" as quoted from Guitar Player Magazine. Dale broke through the electronic barrier limitations of that era!
Dale still wanted to go further, and as the crowds increased, Dale's volume increased, but he still wanted a bigger punch with thickness in the sound so that it would pulsate into the audience and leave them breathless. The JBL-D130 was doing its job until Dale froze it in the frame that held the speaker, the speaker cone would twist from the heavy playing from Dale and it would soon twist and stop to fluctuate back n forth.
Leo, Freddy and Dale went back to the JBL speaker company and told them to rubberize the front ridge of the speaker allowing it to push forward and backward from the signal of Dale's guitar without cocking and twisting. The new updated version was called the JBL D-130F; the F stood for Fender.
Leo, Freddy and Dale designed a speaker cabinet and in which they installed 2 -15'-JBL-D130F's. This caused Leo Fender to have to create a new and more powerful output transformer, they would call it the Dick Dale Transformer and it was made by the Triad Company.
This became the 100 watt output transformer that would actually peak 180 watts. Nothing like this had ever been done before in the world of guitars and amplifiers. This became known as the Dual-Showman Piggy Back Amp. This is why Dick Dale is called the Father of all the power Players in the world!
It is a Phenomena, that Dale is still playing with not only the same vengeance as he did in the 50's, but his playing is unleashed and shredding into the 90's with a focus and power as if from mother nature. He shares the stage with fellow players of all generations up into the alternative's of the 90's. Being completely self taught, Dick Dale plays left handed upside down which was a result of holding the guitar left-handed. The strings became upside-down, chords are designed for right handed players making it very difficult for a left handed player unless he were to change the strings for a left handed guitar, something that Dale never did.
Dale is also a master at the Acoustic, Electronic, Bass and Spanish Guitars'. As well as the Ukulele, Banjo, Drums, Piano, Organ, Electronic Keyboard, Harpsichord, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Harmonica, Xylophone and, believe it or not... the Accordion!
Dale was also responsible for another creation to the world of guitar players, "The Fender Tank Reverb". As Dale sang in his shows, he found that he did not have a vibrato in his voice, and he did not like the straight flat dry sound. to sustain his vocal notes, he turned to an old Hammond organ and found a reverb unit and showed it to Leo Fender and together they came up with the "Fender Tank Reverb". Dale then plugged a Shure Dynamic Bird cage Microphone into it and as Dale sang, his voice took on a very rich, sexy and full sound. Later, Dale then plugged his Fender Stratocaster guitar into the Reverb Tank to sustain his guitar notes which became Dale's trademark sound.) (NOTE) Dale had already been titled "King of the Surf Guitar" by his surfer friends before his creation of the Fender Reverb, Dale's first album called "Surfer's Choice" was the first Surfing album to be commercially sold with a picture of Dale surfing by the pier in San Clemente, Ca. with a surfing title on it. This album alone sold over eighty-eight thousand albums in the late 50's and today in the 90's it would be like 4 million. There was not one song on that album that had a Reverb for effects, everything was played with nothing but Dale's sheer force and power. A bit of trivia, Dale's recording of "Miserlou" became the title song for Quentin Tarantino's Blockbuster movie "Pulp Fiction".
Dick Dale has been called one of the hardest working men in show business. In the past five years he has maintained a heavy concert tour and public appearance schedule throughout the world. Focusing in Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada, South America and the U.S.
He makes time to endorse some of his favorite products, including Dean Markley strings, Dale's string sizes are 16p, 18p, 20p. 38w, 48w, 58w...they use to be 39w, 49w, 60w.....he says he's getting lazy now. Pearl Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Graphtech String Saddles, Billabong clothing and Australia's Ugg Boot Company. Perhaps his most prominent endorsement would have to be for Fender Musical Instruments. Because of the popularity of Dale's signature playing, Fender added to their inventory of guitars, the making of the Dick Dale Signature Stratocaster which seems to be a favorite amongst the Dick Dale guitar players. John English, Fender's custom guitar maker set out to the task of building Dale's Signature Stratocaster guitar with Dale being the overseer. To be included with his favorites was the honor distinction to be the first musician ever to be endorsed by Telex Corp. Using the Telex FMR450 Digital Wireless which has made it possible for Dale to play his guitar walking into the audience.
Along with his Dual Showman Fender Amps, Dale is particular in what tubes that he uses to help create his sound, he has chosen Ruby Tubes from a company called Magic Parts located in Point Reyes Station, California (800) 451-1992
Dale has also recorded original material for Disneyland's Space Mountain roller coaster ride, and the soundtrack for the History of NASA video shown in Space Mountain. Dale's music is being used in all the Disneyland's throughout the world along with being featured in a Disneyland Music album which is being sold by Disneyland. May 21, 1998 a historical day for Disneyland, Dick Dale was chosen to be the person to highlight the grand opening of Tomorrowland by standing on top of Space Mountain (without the use of a safety harness) with his Gold Fender Stratocaster guitar (the beast) and play for all to hear throughout Disneyland "Ghost Riders"& "Miserlou" - Dale's music has gone down in the annals of Disneyland history.
Being a unique and versatile artist, Dick Dale is not limited to his musical skills. He has proved to be a respected Home designer and builder, personally designing and hand drawing the elevations and building his parents 7,000 square foot single story dream home in the California high desert so that he can be within easy reach to them. As of January 24, Dale's parent's celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary, his dad is 86 and his mother is 81 years young. Dale is an accomplished Horseman, Exotic Animal Trainer, Surfer, Martial Arts Expert, Archer, and Pilot. His favorite plane is a Cessna 337B Super Skymaster, a twin tailed, front and rear engine aircraft which was also flown in the military and also sold to the general aviation pilots. Dale has a twin engine pilot rating.
Featured in various articles including the Los Angeles Times Calendar Section, Guitar World Magazine, Guitar and Guitar Player Mag and just recently the back cover of Fender Frontline Magazine with his 5 year old son Jimmy Stix holding their Fender Strats. And in 1981, Dick Dale was awarded Guitarist of the Year by Guitar Player Magazine.
2007 Dick Dale Presented 3rd only Personalized Medallion in 40 Years from Guitar Player Magazine as 'Guitar Legend'.
2006 Dick Dale Inducted the First Presidential Historical Society Lifetime Member in Quincy Massachusetts into the Presidential Historical Building.
2006 Dick Dale voted No. 1 Top Concert in 400 concerts and 400 Bands and Artists in Madrid Spain.
2000 Dick Dale Presented "Lifetime Achievement Award" by "The L.A. Weekly Magazine"
2000 Dick Dale inducted into the "White House Congressional Hall of Records" by Congressman "Jerry Lewis"
(NOTE) The Complete Dick Dale White House Congressional Records File can be viewed by entering the Personal File listing on the Dick Dale Home Page...
1999 Dick Dale Nominated for "Lifetime Achievement Award" by "The L.A. Weekly Magazine"
1998 Dale Performed on top of "Space Mountain" for Grand Opening of "Tomorrowland"
1997 Dale Recorded and Performed the Music for Disneyland "Space Mountain"
1996 Dale Inducted into the "Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame" - Hollywood, California
1996 Dale presented a Platinum Record award for his performance recording of Miserlou, the guitar instrumental that gave Quentin Tarantino the energy force to create the the all time award movie Pulp Fiction. Miserlou was made the Title song.
Dale awarded the Lifetime Pop Music Culture Award from UC Berkeley with Ice-T, John Lee Hooker and Mick Fleetwood (Drummer of Fleetwood Mac)
1989 Dale Inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame located in the Hall of Champions building in San Diego, Ca..
1988 Dick Dale and Stevie Ray Vaughn Nominated for a Grammy Award for the music in the motion picture Back to the Beach.
1986 Dale was named Forefather of Rock and Roll by Thirty Years of Rock and Roll,
1963 Dale was the first power rock guitarist to be featured in a double page layout in Life magazine.
1963 Dale was the 1st rock guitarist to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, The nation's number one national show.
Dick Dale was the first person to create the surf music sound. The first to take a sport and develop a music for it. He was also the first to have more than one record on the Top Ten charts at one time, and also to have five songs from a single album on the charts at once. He was first to sell out the Los Angeles sports arena.
Dick Dale's Performance Movie Credits:
"A Swinging Affair" Featured role as Dick Dale
"Let's Make Love" Starring: Marilyn Monroe
"Beach Party" Starring: Annette Funacello & Frankie Avalon, featured role as Dick Dale
"Muscle Beach Party" Starring: Annette Funacello & Frankie Avalon, featured role as Dick Dale
"Back To the Beach" Starring: Annette Funacello & Frankie Avalon, featured role as Dick Dale
Dick Dale's Music for Movies:
Movie - "Pulp Fiction" - Title Song: 'Miserlou'
Movie - "Escape From L.A." - (starring"Kurt Russell") Song:'Scalped'
Movie - "Space Jam" - Song: 'Miserlou'
Movie - "Kid in King Arthur's Court" - Song: 'Surf Beat'
Movie - "The Heavyweights" - Song: 'NiteRider'
Movie - "Barbed Wire" - Song: 'Nitro'
Movie - "American Vampire" - Song:
Movie - "Jesus's Son" - Song: Surf Buggy'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Television Commercials:
TV - "Domino's Pizza" - Song: 'Miserlou'
TV - "Mountain Dew" - Song: 'Miserlou'
TV - "Nisson Maxma" - Song: 'Miserlou'
TV - "Barclay's Bank of London" - Song: 'Nitrus"
TV - "Philips Flat Screen TV" - Song: 'Esperanza'
TV - "Bartles n Jame's" - Song: 'Surf Beat'
TV - "Paramount Great America Amusement Parks" - Song: 'Nitro'
TV - "Soloflex Workout Station" - Song: 'Take it Off'
TV - "PBS" Public Broadcasting System - Rock n Roll Documentary
- Dick Dale as a Rock n Roll Innovator-
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yamaha World Racing Team" - Song: 'Scalped'
"Denver Colorado Avalanch Hockey Team" - Song: 'Scalped'
"Long Beach California Ice Dogs Hockey Team" - Song - 'Miserlou'
(many more to be updated, 'I'm taking a break')
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUSIC FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION SHOWS
2001 - THE WEBER SHOW - Song: 'Miserlou'
2001 - FRIENDS - Song: 'Miserlou'
2001 - PULP FICTION - Song: 'Miserlou'
2000 - STAR TREK VOYAGER - Song: 'Lets go Trippen'
2000 - SUPER BOWL - Song: 'Miserlou'
------------------------------------------------------------
Dick Dale's Appearance TV Credits:
"Rosie O' Donnell Show"
"David Letterman Show"
"Conan O'Brian Show"
"MTV"
"PBS Special"
"Beverly Hills 90210"
"E"
"CNN"
"VH1"
"Beavis & Butthead" MTV
"Jools Holland' BBC England with Eric Clapton, Dr. John,
"Ed Sullivan Show"
|
|
|
Latest Articles
Bruce Dickinson Releases 'Resurrection Men' Video
by Josh Sharpe - July 30, 2024
Bruce Dickinson released the limited-edition CD of his new single ‘Resurrection Men’ last week, featuring two live bonus tracks. The accompanying video has been unveiled and is a joyous look at life on the road which started in LA on April 12th and finished in Athens, Greece on July 21st playing to ...
Bruce Dickinson to Release New Single 'Resurrection Men'
by Josh Sharpe - June 13, 2024
Bruce Dickinson has announced a limited edition CD release for his new single ‘Resurrection Men’, out on July 26th. The two CD bonus songs, ‘Afterglow Of Ragnarok’ and ‘Abduction’, have been recorded live at Dickinson’s show in Sao Paulo, Brazil on May 4th 2024 as part of his current world tour for ...
Carole King Joins Glen Campbell For 'There's No Me Without You'
by Michael Major - February 16, 2024
Check out the new release 'There's No Me Without You (with Carole King)' from the Glen Campbell Duets - Ghost on the Canvas Sessions. Talents that can be heard on this project include Dolly Parton, Elton John, Sting, Hope Sandoval, Linda Perry, X, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pu...
Vide: Breakout Rapper Kenzo B Drops Emotional 'Gotta Go' Video
by Michael Major - July 24, 2023
Kenzo B releases the raw and relatable video for her searing breakup anthem “Gotta Go.” Watch the video via Coke Boys/Warner Records. The emotional visual captures the end of a relationship when the rising rapper realizes that her man is cheating on her. It's unfiltered and unflinching — just as fan...
Caesar Spencer Releases AA-Side Single 'Hail Caesar'
by Michael Major - May 30, 2023
An epic theme that ushers-in a collection filled with plot twists aplenty, “Hail Caesar” is the electrifying opening track of ‘Get Out Into Yourself’. Inspired by Dick Dale’s infamous “Misirlou” (perhaps best known for its role in ‘Pulp Fiction’) it features the talents of French punk icon Gilles Ta...
Defiant Presents Drops New EP 'President Obandman'
by Michael Major - April 14, 2023
Defiant Presents, a collective that includes some of the leading figures in New York- and Tri-State-based drill and club music (Bandmanrill, Sha EK, MC Vertt, and Kenzo B) release their debut EP, President OBandman. The three-song package, which includes guest appearances by fellow burgeoning stars ...
Taimane Releases New Single 'Pipeline's Daughter'
by Michael Major - July 26, 2022
The single, “Pipeline’s Daughter,” and accompanying music video are available now. In June, Taimane kicked off her first tour since before the pandemic playing a string of dates across the United Kingdom including performances at the Glastonbury Festival sharing the bill with 2022 headliners Paul Mc...
Future Cavemen Share New Single 'Battle Scars'
by Michael Major - July 14, 2022
Following his beguiling EP ‘II’ released earlier this year, the new cut sees Future Cavemen blend enigmatic riffs with wonky electronics that tingle with electricity and squirm amidst fuzzy reverb and jangling percussion. “Battle Scars” owes to a range of retro influences whilst simultaneously makin...
Future Cavemen Unveil 'Gypsy Curse' Single
by Michael Major - January 27, 2022
Future Cavemen will continue his ascendance this Spring with the confirmation of a new EP: ‘II’. Marking a vital next step in his evolution, the Bath-based solo artist AKA Joe Tennant teases the release with its captivating lead single: “Gypsy Curse”. Listen to the new single now!...
Jon Snodgrass Announces Tour Dates And Limited Edition 7'
by A.A. Cristi - August 06, 2021
Rock & Roll singer-songwriter JON SNODGRASS will be trekking around North America on his very own headline tour An Evening of Rock & Roll with Jon Snodgrass & His Buddies with his backing band consisting of Sam Bolle (Dick Dale, Agent Orange, FEAR, Davie Allan) and Mikey Erg (Worriers, Star f**king ...
Children Of The State Announce New Single 'Big Sur'
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 17, 2020
Doncaster & Bolsover five piece CHILDREN OF THE STATE mark their return on 10th April with the release of new single, 'Big Sur', produced by The Coral's Ian Skelly and engineered by Chris Taylor at Liverpool's iconic Parr Street Studios....
Vive Le Rock Awards 2020 to Take Place at 02 Shepherd's Bush Empire
by Kaitlin Milligan - February 28, 2020
Staking its reputation as an essential rock 'n' roll date in the annual calendar, with two now fabled awards nights at the 02 Islington Academy in 2018 and 2019 which saw a vast array of iconic artists performing and rubbing shoulders, the 2020 Vive Le Rock Awards is confirmed to take place this com...
Joe Satriani to Release New Album SHAPESHIFTING
by Kaitlin Milligan - February 06, 2020
JOE SATRIANI's new studio album, Shapeshifting, is set for release on April 10, 2020 via Sony Music/Legacy Recordings. The first single, “Nineteen Eighty”, is available today on all streaming platforms and at rock radio stations nationwide. Full track list is below....
GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Welcomes Recordings By Neil Diamond, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, The Police, & More As 2020 Inductions
by Kaitlin Milligan - January 14, 2020
The Recording Academy® welcomes the newest inductions to its distinguished GRAMMY Hall Of Fame®, continuing its ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating timeless recordings. This year's additions recognize a diverse range of both single and album recordings at least 25 years old that exhibit...
Locobeach Announce Debut Album PSYCHEDELIC DISCO CUMBIA
by Kaitlin Milligan - October 29, 2019
LOCOBEACH is the musical moniker of the NYC supergroup comprised of José Luis Pardo on guitars/vocals (Los Crema Paraiso, Los Amigos Invisibles), Neil Ochoa on congas/percussion/electronics (Chicha Libre, Los Crema Paraiso), Joshua Camp on accordion/keyboards/vocals (Chicha Libre, C.A.M.P.O.S., One ...
Olivia Jean Announces New Album NIGHT OWL On Third Man Records
by Tori Hartshorn - July 29, 2019
Olivia Jean is back on the beat with her second full-length (and first self-produced) album Night Owl, due out August 30, 2019 on Third Man Records. The title track and first single “Night Owl” is available today on streaming services and on 7” vinyl with physical-only B-side “Jaan Pehechaan Ho.” Th...
Members of The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys & Flogging Molly Come Together as The Walker Roaders
by Kaitlin Milligan - June 27, 2019
In the course of a widely celebrated thirty-year career, the sound of seminal London-Irish band The Pogues launched a generation of rowdy and explosive Celtic-Punk bands. James Fearnley, co-founder and long-time accordion player in that legendary group, has now teamed with two of its most notable de...
LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST Goes Retro for Concert Events in Asbury Park
by Kaitlin Milligan - December 19, 2018
Retro pop, rock, and soul vibes will permeate a pair of the most highly anticipated annual events at LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2019, the 10-day festival (Jan. 11-21, 2019), presented by the Asbury Park Press, entering its 19th year of raising money and awareness through the awesome power of music in o...
Russian Horror Surf Punks Messer Chups Announce 'Halloween Tour'
by Caryn Robbins - September 19, 2017
Russian surf punk trio MESSER CHUPS will be flying over President Trump's imaginary wall and landing in the United States for their Halloween Howling Tour....
The Mystic Theatre Celebrates 25 Years of Hosting Funkadelic and Prolific Music
by A.A. Cristi - August 18, 2017
The Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, CA will celebrate 25 years (silver jubilee) of hosting funkadelic and prolific music this year. From its humble beginnings in 1992, the North Bay's premiere music venue has become the staple concert venue in Petaluma....
|