On Saturday (March 16), the rock world lost another legend. Dick Dale, known fondly as "The King of Surf Guitar," passed away at the age of 81. His cause of death is not yet known. As the rock community mourned the loss, Jack White penned a tribute to the surf rock pioneer via his Third Man Records Instagram account.
“It is saddening to hear of the passing of the incredible guitar player Dick Dale," White began his tribute. "I spent many moments learning his massive reverbed guitar licks in my bedroom, and still enjoy playing his song 'Nitro' whenever I can."
"Sadly, I never got to meet him. A unique innovator of the guitar with pick melting style and swagger for miles," he continued. "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. Dick Dale, King Of The Surf Guitar.”
Read White's heartfelt tribute to Dick Dale below.
Dale's most iconic single was the instrumental track "Misirlou." The 1963 hit cemented the guitarist's place in stardom and eventually became the most popular song of the surf rock era.
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