We at NIHOF were pleasantly surprised by the recent induction of the Ventures to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although we were happy for them, we couldn’t help but feel that someone else who represented the Surf sound should have gotten in there first.

In the 1990’s Dick Dale was virtually unknown to the general public until they heard his blazing guitars in the film, Pulp Fiction. It is a shame that the man labeled the “King of the Surf Guitar” could be so far out of the public eye for so long. Dale gets credit for inventing the blistering and exotic surf guitar sound which was influenced by his own upbringing listening to Middle Eastern and Eastern European music. Dale pushed the limits through his equipment and was responsible for many of the advancements of amplifiers. Dale remained the most gifted guitar player of his genre regardless of how many guitarists tried to take that mantle away from him. As a certified pioneer in music history and the unarguable creator of a subgenre, he should have a decent shot.

 


The Bullet Points:

Previous Rank:

2010: #31

Eligible Since:

1987

 
Country of Origin:

U.S.A. (Los Angeles, CA)

 
Why He Will Get In:

If the Hall is truly about influence an originator of a sound can’t be ignored.

 
Why He Won’t Get In:

He is perceived by some as too one dimensional.

 
Nominated In:

Never

 
Essential Albums:

Surfer’s Choice, 1962

King of the Surf Guitar, 1963

Checkered Flag, 1963

Tribal Thunder, 1993

 
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee:

Let’s Go Trippin’ (From Surfer’s Choice, 1962)

Surfing Drums (From Surfer’s Choice, 1962)

Jungle Fever (Single, 1962)

Misrilou (Single, 1962)

Dick Dale Stomp (From, King of the Surf Guitar, 1963)