Dick Dale, widely hailed as the "King of the Surf Guitar," passed away on March 16, 2019, at the age of 81. He was a musical innovator, known for his signature twangy, reverb-drenched "surf sound" popularized during the early 1960s. Dale was born Richard Anthony Monsour on May 4, 1937, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was inspired by his father's electric lap steel guitar, and he began playing guitar shortly thereafter, quickly developing his own unique style of playing that combined elements of jazz, rockabilly, country, and Middle Eastern music. His debut single, "Let's Go Trippin'," was released in 1961 and quickly rose to the top of the charts, establishing him as one of the first notable figures in the surf rock music scene. Dale's influence on the development of modern rock can still be seen today in the music of The Beach Boys, The Ventures, and a number of other notable acts. His classic hit, "Misirlou," was interpreted in different versions by a range of musicians and still remains popular today. Dale had experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years and he continued to tour and play until the end of his life. He passed away at his home in Southern California, leaving behind an immeasurable legacy of influential music. He will be remembered fondly by fans and fellow musicians.