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 Dick Dale Official Site ________ _________  Dick Dale Myspace Site ________ _________   Classic Dick 1963 Misirlou ________ _________  Dick Dale Stevie Ray Pipeline ________ _________  Dick and Jimmy Newport Beach ________ _________  Dick Dale Berlin Germany ________ _________  DD House of the Rising Sun ________ _________  Peter Gunn ala Dick Dale ________ _________  Let's Go Trippin! ________ _________  Drummer Shredder Dick Dale ________ _________  Dick Dale Nitro Video   DD Rolling Stone Article ________ _________  ________ _________  ________ _________  ________ _________ |
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Personal Tribute for the legendary Dick Dale _____________________________________________________  Every Artist Has An Inspirational Focal Point 
And for this artist, Mr. Dick Dale was exactly that, and then some! A mere punk of 16/17nish, Dick and his Del Tones took me under their wing, becoming "Top Roadie" for them on and off for a couple fantastic years. At that time, Dick was living at the last house on the Wedge (The other half of the Gillette Mansion) on the tip of the Balboa Peninsula. I had just started my first company in the town of Balboa and life was sweet! I remember seeing him driving up and down Balboa Bl in his gold Rolls Royce, Harley or the Super Cool Dick Mobile, a tricked out RV with Him Surfing and Playing Guitar painted on the sides. Now that was cool as it gets, in my mind. Poor lad, having to make daily decisions on how to roll that day.  Not much longer after that, I was attending rehearsals and recording sessions which were on the middle floor of his castle next to "The Blue Room". The most awesome pad anyone could ever imagine, I'd imagine it's now worth around 30 million plus.He was into martial arts, and was impressed that I had received a black belt by age 16. We did a couple sparring sessions and I showed him some "cool tricks". He wasn't half bad for an old coot. Ha Ha - Just Kidding D He went black not long after that, and I hid.  Anyway, that led into being part of the stage crew and the first time I saw him perform live.
It was at the legendary
Golden Bear venue on PCH, Huntington Beach.T'was a night I remember perfectly, to this day. A night where I witnessed one of the best front man performers and all around musicians that there ever was, and will be. (For you old school personal DickHead friends this was the "Pre-C" days of Jeannie, Pacific Island Goddess) - She did play a mean tambourine and sang earth angel quite like an angel would actually sing it.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The band would start with an awesome pounding surf beat, then out of nowhere, this reverberating thunder strumming like echo would start resonating, literally freaking out the now completely captivated audience.Dick always started jamming backstage until the announcement came over the PA - SURF CATS AND BEACH BUNNIES! HERE HE IS, THE KING OF THE SURF GUITAR ---DICK DALE! Out runs Dick with his custom surfboard in one hand, and a cocktail in the other. (It was actually water, but you'd never know it) 
He'd then hold the board over his head, flip it around revealing his axe which was fitted inside. He pulls out said axe, raising it up and yelling "Are you guys ready to party!" Yeahhhhhhhh! (crowd going nuts)He'd then raise his glass, "Suck 'Em Up!" After toasting his audience, (a very classy thing to do) and taking a quick drink, the band immediately breaks the tempo going into the most awesome rendition of Peter Gunn I have ever heard (to this day).  He starts shredding that guitar up and down, flipping it back and forth, playing licks upside down and every which way to an absolute stunned and amazed crowd, myself included.At later gigs, I remember spending much of my time backstage watching the reaction of the crowd and the looks upon the faces as he masterfully worked them into almost a frenzy. After a few staple tunes, the show really got going.  He'd strip the guitar, take a trumpet and blow the most amazing notes from this little piece of brass giving me a whole new perspective on what I then thought was a boring old school instrument.Then it's off to the Saxophone, ripping solo's while stage strutting back and forth winking at the now frantic girls, giving them their due. Then he runs over to Steve, (bass master) who turns it around as Dick starts thumping it with drum sticks in perfect sync with drummer. The completely pumped crowd is helplessly under his total control at this point.  He then jumps on the reverse side of the piano and starts playing the damn thing upside down and back words. Holy Chit! Dick then runs up to the drums and just wails the frickin' shellac offa them. To finish his musical rant, we get treated to a "killer dude" drum solo as the drummer sits back down and Dick starts running around the kit doing triplets on all the toms, cymbals, mic stands, and anything else within reach. OH MY FREAKIN' GOD!  I had since seen him do the same performance dozens of times, and still got goose bumps every time, partly because I knew what the audience had in store for them, but mostly because the addiction of the seemingly boundless positive energy could always be depended on for that incredible fix. Dick could have the flu, and barely be able to get out of bed. But the Gig always went on. When he hit that stage, you'd never know he was sick. Talk about professionalism, Dick Dale personified it, and still does. To get a random, "unbiased" view of this incredible man, browse this recent OC Register article by Corky Carrol. I was nodding my head the whole time. "Yep, that certainly captures the persona of the DD I know."  To my embarrassment and shame, Dick and I had a non confrontational yet emotionally hazardous falling out. Yep, over some broad... HA! Ok, over one of the most amazing people this planet could ever manage to muster up. To mutual detriment, it just so happened that this particular person was of the female persuasion of our species. This aspiring actress fresh off the Buckeye express was the complete and total *** Brains - Beauty - Talent *** extremely rare limited edition package with tons of xtras, bonus features and custom interior. 
We're talking a boundless and unbridled positive energy vibe almost completely paralleled to someone else featured in this article, and it sure ain't me. I have no doubt Mister D was head over heals and back upside again. She definitely did not believe he was, cuz the DD had quite the reputation amongst the ladies in years prior. I'm certain he was, and would have stopped any carousing type behaviors, perhaps settling down for good, for and cuz of her.
I should know cuz she had the exact same type of effect on me. She was a client of my company and we became fast friends... I actually kept flirtatious banter at bay for a long time cuz I knew she was stirring up something weird and unwanted inside, and lived with Dick whom I knew was nuts about her. Little voice to Moron: "Um, this is a potential bad situation - stop chit chatting with this particular girl - over and out" Master -not moron- to pesky little voice: Yeah yeah, but I still have to collect the bill from her every week cuz she pays cash. We like cash, remember? Lv to Mastermoron: "Um, you have employees that can do that. Move on to next victim - thanks for utilization of intellectually based decision making skills and your anticipated cooperation in this matter - Roger that? Lv out " 
Mastermoron: -Yeah, sorry to over-rule here Lv, but success of business direct result of constant personal client interaction - make clients happy ... enjoy successful business. Classic Bizness Economics 101 - pg 147. Lv to Mastermoron: Perhaps it was not clear the ~ CLICK -FareTheeWell Lv, who's the master now? This of course meant it was to late. She already had her claws into me. I never saw it coming. Me? Love? GTF outta here. Yet, the more I tried to stop thinking about her, the more those pheromone thingy flood gates opened to the point where I could think of nothing else. Stick a fork in me - I'm done. 
Now, I was in my post-pubescent prime and the last thing I would have ever considered was any sort of committed relationship. Are you kidding me? I was a 3 to 4 girl sworn to fun loyal to none kinna guy, period. Then a frontman/vocalist in my own oddly successful top 40 band, - girls girls girls - were in abundance, and summertime in Newport/Huntington/Laguna Beach was the proverbial land of Milk and Hotties. Playing no instruments at that time, I developed a knack for emulating voices, morphing from Loverboy/Romantics/Journey to Tom Petty/Jim Morrison/The Cars without missing a tic. Though the music itself was mediocre/average, we had a dynamic, half choreographed half improv high energy stage show, and ourdamnselves wassa handsome foursome buncha fellas complete with a total hottie "non-fella" keyboard player and singer. 
We, the band Motion, quickly became quite successful and in demand due to amassing a large local following, mostly of young ladies. Where young ladies go, young fellas follow offering to purchase refreshments from delighted barkeep types willing to pay top dollar for a musically below average circuit band. Why? Stage presence. And where did I learn these invaluable success rewarding skills? Yeah, the USC/DD campus.
And so what does this rat fink alumini do to the top professor, founder and master of USC/DD? Snatch his best girl right out from under him.
The only reasoning I could even attempt a thought of justifcation was that he was around the age I am now. She, is the age I am now. Yeah, it was quite the difference alright. He deserves someone more his age to relate to, it ain't fair, bla bla bla... That's all I got.  People would see her with Dick and the whispers started hissing. "Look at that little gold digger obviously after his money, why she could be his daughter! bla double bla" Normally I might reach similar conclusions, but in this case? Not even close. Dick has a pure youthful spirit and the same remarkable dynamic electro-charisma off stage as he does on. That's what she was attracted too, having the same type of spirit. He just came with the Kingdom Bonus Package including princess lifestyle, treated as such by one of the most awesome Kings, living in one of the most awesome Castles on the planet. 
She left all that for a certified beach bum slut (That's what I'd be iffins I was fem), struggling to grow a business amidst a surfer "let's party hardy dude" environment. Some gold digger. These are usually California born and raised type females with a different set of values when it comes to love and relationships. Value of your home, car, portfolio, and overall earnings to shoe budget ratio potential, topping the list. 
After far too many years, upon coming back to Cali from the land of Oz down unda, I happened to hear a pizza commercial with that unmistakable DD sound. ""Could that be Misirlou selling pies? Brilliant! I was so charged, cuz that had to be a decent deal, cuz I know it sold tons of slices. It also gave me the courage to look him up and see if he'd take my call. If just to get out that I was so sorry for being a rat fink, and how the time I spent with the him and boys nurtured an amazing love and respect for the universal language of music. Can one possibly imagine a world without? 
To my dismay, He did take the call. Expecting some monotone version of "Oh yeah, it's you. What do you want, why are you calling... Instead, he was actually stoked to hear from me.Charming, upbeat and gracious in true Double D fashion. Invites me out to the Sky Ranch for some chow and reminiscent catch up. Or.... hummmm... was he finally going to get a little taste of revenge I so justly deserved? He has a gazillion acres, my body would disappear never to be seen again.  Ok, it was only a mere fleeting thought. Nervous or not, I wanted to let him know how profound his influence on me truly was. More importantly, give him a chance to let his feelings and opinion of me be known, any style he desired should he desire. Maybe letting off a little steam from the past on my behalf. Sheesh, as if.Not even near this gentleman's style. He was warm, classy and genuine. Extraordinarily gracious, and hospitable beyond reproach. Making me feel like I've reconnected with a long lost brother. Made my lady feel like she was beyond a million bucks. She remarked when talking with her, he made her feel like the only person on the planet, keeping her in smiles and giggles like no one else I ever knew could. Humbled me to the point of tearing up. My lady and I arrived and we had a ball! Got the complete gulf cart tour and the chance to meet Mr. Jimmy ~ Legend in the Making ~ Dale. Dick was in a rather feisty cloud nine kind of mood. Reminded me of a kid having got his first schwinn stingray bike without training wheels. DD had just completed his new runway next to the hanger with his aircraft just a short jaunt from supreme DD head quarters.  Poor troubled aviator, having more difficult decisions to make "Which way should I put my runway" "What plane should I spark today .. bla bla bla" Ya know, typical everyday kinna stuff for those unfortunate souls having to deal with planes and a runway clogging up the back yard. 
Couple years back, to my utter delight, I got to see Dick play with Jimmy at a Newport Beach birthday celebration. It was an awesome reunion. Old Balboa friends and cohorts were present, and yes, so was SHE. They have remained the best of life time friends to this day, which brings me endless joy. How frickin' cool is that. But hold the frickin boat! The D-Master is in fifties, um maybe sixty (finger count finger count) Sheesh matters not. An lb or two heavier, not much, perhaps a couple more locks, gone with the wind. Now could ya notice? Um, No. There he was in his element. Blowing that trumpet, taming the beast of the axe with master precision, and as always, bringing the thrilled spectators under his domain with open arms. 
There might have been a little fatherly pride thing going on, I suspect. The young lad delivered more tasty chops, lix, and beats at a skill level I could never even hope to achieve or aspire too. With the ease and comfort of maybe tossing a baseball in the backyard, mind you.But, sorry young Dale, as far as that whole overwhelming magnetic super charged stage presence thing goes? Paps is still the current master, in my perhaps biased eyes. I'm sure D himself would take issue with my opinion on that. Good news? The mere fact that JD can wail with ease and accuracy in front of thousands without blinking twice? Just a matter of time, if it not already has! And not a half bad Sensei to have in your top five, as well. 
Well, there ya have it. Sorry if a tad bit novelistic. To truly understand catch phrase connotations used in describing extraordinary people, Is to know or hear stories of a human being that actually encompasses such phrases. And this fine man has more then I've ever seen in one individual.How bout Honor, Integrity, Moral Fortitude, Generosity, Temperance and Moderation in a world more synonymous with indulgence and abuse -- just to name a few. Then there's that talent thing For this amazing man to treat me with ultimate respect, forgiveness and once again friendship when it would have been just as easy to "not take the call" - Ask yourself? How many people would act as such? 
I had non intentionally caused hurt and grave disappointment to this remarkable
earthling, and he had no clue as to what a profound impact he had on my entire life. I had gotten out of music to pursue my business goals. The lifestyle of one didn't like the others life style - One had to go, but what a great ride it was, having just a taste. As with all love affairs, I kept music in my head and had occasional flings with my mistress, but kept it at that, never letting feelings of commitment enter the equation. 
That is, until a few years ago. The universe somehow set up my life where my mistress could join the fold. Honing my multiple instrument playing and writing skills, while relieving any stress or tension, and making lifetime friendship bonds with some remarkable people and amazing talents. It's the best time in my life. A time that would not be existing at all, in a musical realm at least - yikes - if not for Dick Dale. Thank you Sir, for igniting that passion so many moons ago, and so many fortunate others as well. Some kid called Hendrix something or another comes to mind. You shall always be my hero and mentor. Many guitar players consider Dick Dale the Godfather of Surf Music - Yeah, very true. Yet, I assume the majority have not seen him Rock a venue to pieces. I have. They also don't realize his pioneering contribution into the development of Rock Amplification - without which, it would be Folk and Roll.
Musicians - Music Lovers - Huge Favor? Please Pretty Please on My Knees Kind of Please 
Consider helping me in my efforts to get my personal mentor into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Just a few minutes of your time. Write a nice letter perhaps stating how music
has impacted your life -Be real, get emotional. Relay how important it is to you that someone like Dick gets his day. Someone with pals like Leo and Les, that was there in the beginning exploring and defining sounds crucial for Rock and Roll. Dick is still thrilling not a generation of fans, but multiple generations of new and old fans alike to this very day. Perhaps you know of a musician influenced by this man. Explain the story, or maybe something you read or heard. This is all I humbly request of you to consider. I'm sorry you can't just shoot off an email, but it's so impersonal, and they don't actually have that as an option. So please, if you enjoy music, you'd be doing the industry a huge service. Please trust me on this. Let's politely but consistently bug these nice folks until they make the right decision. Thank you most sincerely for your consideration. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44114 Back To Artist Links | Top |
