The System Hates Dick Dale

Probably on of the greatest guitar players in the world is Dick Dale. He is not just the greatest surf guitar player, but one of the most interesting musicians that plays something approaching pop music. He used a lot of non-western scales in some of the earliest usage for an electric guitar player. Add to that tons of wet reverb and the extra thick strings and you get one hell of a sound. He also played left handed but did not restring his guitar like Hendrix did. Arguably he is one of the greatest guitar players ever. So why is it that so few people have heard of him beyond a tune in Pulp Fiction and some music used in commercials?

Why? Because the system hates Dick Dale. He records instrumental music, not some thing the record labels respect or know how to deal with. He also doesn’t let himself get pimped out by the companies who are so used to treating talent like some kind of willing cross between an organ grinder monkey and a spoiled child seeking attention. On top of that he has talent and ability and can burn your face off with his playing. In these days of American Idolism you have a hard time convincing people that an artist does not have to sing some crappy cover song and look good. Don’t get me wrong, Dale is a handsome man but he is not a cute guy in his early 20s. He should not be either, he has experience and skill that it takes time to develop. That is the difference between someone who can sing a good song and someone who can burn your face off with their playing.