I grew up in Newport Beach, home of the Rendezvous Ballroom where Dick Dale and the Del Tones played. I was too young to get inside, but my friends and I would ride our bikes down the peninsula and stand out side.
The amount of sound coming through the wall was awesome, in the true meaning of the world. And every time the door opened we would catch a glimpse of Dale and the band. It was just about the most inspiring thing a kid could see.
Within a couple years I was in a surf band, and I've never stopped playing music since.
"Miserlou" was one of the first 45s I bought, followed by the LP "Surfer's Choice." Still got 'em.
Incidentally, Dale sang some R&B like Buster Brown's "Fanny Mae" on that record. Did a fine job of it, too.
So thanks Dick Dale. Hope to see you in the celestial line up some day.