Surf rock trailblazer Dick Dale passed away over the weekend at the age of 81. Tributes to “The King of the Surf Guitar” have since poured in from fans as well as musicians alike. Today, Jack White, a modern-day pioneer in his own right, paid homage to Dale with a touching post on social media.
“It is saddening to hear of the passing of the incredible guitar player Dick Dale. “I spent many moments learning his massive reverbed guitar licks in my bedroom, and still enjoy playing his song ‘Nitro’ whenever I can,” the Detroit blues rocker wrote on Third Man Records’ Instagram account. “Sadly, I never got to meet him.”
(Read: A Running List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Omissions)
White continued his message by praising Dale’s groundbreaking techniques and fondly recalling attending one of his concerts as a teen:
“A unique innovator of the guitar with pick melting style and swagger for miles. I can remember traveling up to Pontiac from 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.”
Read White’s full tribute to Dale below.
White has covered Dale live a number of times over the years. Watch him slip in “Misirlou” during a performance of “Icky Thump” back in 2014 (scroll to the 5:00 mark):
Brian Wilson also sent out a heartwarming note on Dale, writing on Twitter, “I’m sorry to hear about Dick Dale passing. Dick’s guitar playing was a big influence on all of us [in the Beach Boys], and we covered ‘Misirlou’ on our Surfin’ USA album in ‘63.”
Additionally, Brian May said that “truly we all benefit from his trailblazing.” Mike Mills of R.E.M., Slash, Rick Springfield, and Steve Van Zandt also offered up their own tributes.
Find those all below.
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
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
Dick Dale, who will forever remain a guitar God. May his spirit rest in peace. We will meet again brother. pic.twitter.com/tf77lcQGWy
Advertisement— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) March 18, 2019
RIP Dick Dale. King Of The Surf Guitar.
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) March 18, 2019
Complete your vinyl collection by purchasing all of Dale’s releases here. Revisit Dale’s “Nitro” and iconic version of “Misirlou”:
