Dick Dale, the Strat-wielding champion of surf rock whose biggest hit soundtracked one of the most iconic opening sequences in film, has died. He was 81.
The Guardian confirmed Dale’s passing — which took occurred Saturday night (March 16) — with Sam Bolle, the bassist in his live band. (Billboard reached out to Dale’s agent, who confirmed the news: “it’s a sad day for rock ‘n’ roll.”)
Dale was born Richard Anthony Monsour in Boston, Mass. in 1937, and first came to prominence in the early ’60s with his band, the Del-Tones, and “Miserlou.”
The 1962 track, Dale’s take on the traditional Greek folk tune, features his furious, signature strum and serves as longtail hit of his 1962 debut LP, Surfer’s Choice. (The album also features a cover of “Sloop John B,” a Bahamian folk song, which the Beach Boys later covered and included on the track list for Pet Sounds in 1966.) The single enjoyed a later ovation thanks to Quentin Tarantino, who blasted it during the opening credits of 1994’s Pulp Fiction 32 years after the song’s release. The Black Eyed Peas notably sampled “Miserlou” in 2006 hit “Pump It,” which peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In a 2015 interview with Billboard, Dale, who toured well into his twilight years, was candid about the various health issues he faced — including renal failure, diabetes and more — as he continued to travel the country and perform. “Even with my illnesses and diseases,” he said, “I’m faster with my hands than I’ve ever been.”