THE KING of Surf Guitar is back! 79-year-old rock legend Dick Dale returns to The Wormhole for a mid-week jolt of fiery riffs and explosive sound.
One of the most unique rock stars known—the man has had exotic animals as pets for years, mimicking his pet tiger and lions’ cries on his guitar and creating an entirely unique sound through it—Dale acted as Leo Fender’s guinea pig in the 1950s, blowing up amp after amp after amp with high-power sound until Fender invented an amp that could take Dale’s force.
Pushing through the first-ever 100-watt amplifier, Dale captured the feeling of surfing (one of his many passions), wove it in with rock ‘n’ roll, Eastern musical scales (he is of Lebanese descent), drenched it reverb, picked the devil out of his guitar at lighting speed, and surf rock was born. His song “Let’s Go Trippin’” is widely considered the first-ever surf rock song.
In addition to his love of the stage, a major reason Dale remains on the road at his age is so he can cover his medical bills. A large part of Dale’s mission is teaching his audiences about healthful living alongside his wife, Lana. Despite his health struggles, Dale continues playing left-handed, upside down, and all over America.
Savannah’s The Mercers and The Wave Slaves open the night.
Wednesday, April 19, 9 p.m., $35, 18+