To me, one of the interesting things about the enjoyment of music is exploring how we came to appreciate a particular artist or even a genre, because it often turns on something that in retrospect seems almost trivial.
A few years back, when I first watched Quentin Tarantino's landmark movie, Pulp Fiction, I was stunned early in the film by a distinctive thrumming, driving electric guitar piece. I thought I'd heard it before but my memory is not always too reliable so I couldn't be sure. I later did some investigation and discovered that the song was Dick Dale's extraordinary "Misirlou".
I have to confess that I really don't remember much about Dick Dale and the Del-Tones from when they first hit the pop music scene. As I've written before, I was mostly into jazz and swing music at that time, and although I'd been exposed to early rock all through the fifties, it was more rockabilly and blues-based. If I
noticed the beginnings of "surf rock" or "California beach music" at all, it was likely that I dismissed it as anything for serious listening.
Of course, I gradually became aware of the genre as groups such as the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, and others emerged in the early sixties and began to take over the airwaves, but I still didn't pay it a lot of attention. And I certainly didn't realize at the time how special Dick Dale would be to guitarists who followed, or that he was probably the guy who started it all.
It's ironic that he could never surf worth a darn himself, but was so fascinated by the sport he attempted to recreate the power and feel with his guitar playing. The result combined his artistry on the instrument with his introduction of guitar reverb - which became a staple of the surf sound - and received its final touch with his distinctive fast staccato picking.
Article comments
1 - slim shady
saw Dick Dale and Howie Hubberman at Capital Records a few weeks back.. now that is a unlikely pair !!!!! ss
2 - William Forest
Ok, I've seen it all now, City Walk at Universal Studio, 11 pm, Howie Hubberman walks in with a Body Guard (He was House -Like) and a tiny girl,, Maybe 5 foot tops, She joins the band on stage and does a cover of Fool for a Pretty Face,, with a Steve Marriot Voice, The croud went absolutely nutty ! she then takes the Mic and says she has to split because she is not 17 yet !! And should not be in the bar,there were 40-50 people that split with her, Now I understand the body guard ! Never seen anything like her ever...William
3 - CAROLINE
OK, Hows this for an unlikely crew , Glen Cambell,Dick Dale,Cris Isaac,Howie Hubberman,Tom Petty. check out Glen's newest album,, they are all there and more !!!
4 - tommy k
Howie Hubberman, Paul Brown, Robert Blake,Professional Texas Hold'em in Sherman Oaks ! Casual Hundred Dollar a hand Game. I watch these guys play once a week,It is the most comical game on the Planet. The only funnier time is when Norman Harris joins them,And accuses them of marked cards ! TK
5 - Julian D.
The Girl Howie Hubberman Walked in with was Rachelle Spector, Phil Spector's wife !! The Body guard was her's.She was 26 at the Time.. And yes she has a Killer Voice. JD