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Dick Dale to Sign Autographs at J&R, Aug. 27th

J&R’s heavily Fender stocked Musical Instrument Store at 33 Park Row will host guitar legend, Dick Dale and his fast-picking son, Jimmy Dale, 2 pm, Thursday, August 27th.

“King of Surf Guitar“, Dick Dale will be forever remembered as the man behind the epic instrumental “Miserlou”; a pioneer with a highly percussive rhythmic style and penchant for dramatic bends and rapid-fire staccato picking using unusually heavy-gauge strings, Dale developed a unique guitar voice that launched an entire genre. Although Dale plays many instruments, he is known for a highly unusual self-taught style in which plays a right-handed Stratocaster® guitar upside down (Dale is left-handed) without restringing it accordingly (he continued to use this reverse stringing method even after acquiring a left-handed guitar).

Dale made a name for himself packing Southern California clubs and dance halls (most notably the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, Calif.) in the late ’50s with his band, the Del-Tones. He was intensely interested in achieving unheard-of guitar tones and volume that led him to push the limits of equipment available in the late 1950s. He adopted a very “wet” sounding reverb and experimented with Fender amplifiers; Dale is said to be the first guitarist to use a 100 watt guitar amp, and he was involved in the creation of the popular Fender Showman® amp.

A new generation of fans discovered Dale and his music when “Miserlou” was used as the theme for Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction. Fender introduced the sparkling Dick Dale Signature Stratocaster guitar in 1994.

See the complete Music Fest 2009 Schedule.

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Published by Steve on August 10th, 2009 and listed in Live at J&R.

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peter wang 06/23/2011 02:18 AM 1 point
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donkirk 02/18/2010 12:24 AM 1 point
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I listen to Dick play at Harmony Parrk Ballroom (Anaheim, CA) "Many" nights; and enjoyed virtually every minute of it. While he doesn't know me personally, I have to recently contact him and he went way beyone what many stars go, just to make sure I had the answer I needed. I then sent him a Christmas wish; and he sent one back. I estimate I've heard him play "live" for over 100 hours; and would again, if he played im my area.

For a short-time *8 weeks) I sang at Harmony Park in the 1950's on a local LA television show; and recently I learned that Dick made at least one (maybe more) appearances on the show. As well, in the 60's my bass guitarist quit and disappeared. When I went to Harmony Park to hear Dick, There was Gary, as a new member of Dick Dale and the Del Tones. Our paths seem to keep crossing; even though (as I said) we really don't know each other. Although I'll not use it unless I need to, he gave me his personal phone number; which I appreciate his trust in giving it to me. Dick is now recovering from rectal cancer and I could tell when we talked on the phone that it's taking a toll on him; and I wish him the very best.

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billco 08/14/2009 09:53 PM 1 point
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Dick Dale is a legend. Nice article about an under-appreciated talent. Wish I could be there!

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