Dick Dale, the legendary surf rock guitarist best known for the Pulp Fiction soundtrack staple “Misirlou,” died yesterday at age 81. Among the many paying tribute to the “King Of The Surf Guitar” is Jack White. The former White Stripes frontman went to see Dale in concert when he was 16, and it seems that Dale’s signature swagger was one ingredient in White’s eclectic retro-inspired style.

On the Third Man Records Instagram account, White posted the following message about Dale:

It is saddening to hear of the passing of the incredible guitar player Dick Dale. I spent many moments learning his massive reverbed guitar licks in my bedroom, and still enjoy playing his song “Nitro” whenever I can. Sadly, I never got to meet him. A unique innovator of the guitar with pick melting style and swagger for miles. I can remember traveling up to Pontiac from Detroit by myself to watch him play when I was sixteen. That upside down gold sparkle Fender of his needs to be hung up some place special. Dick Dale, King Of The Surf Guitar.” -Jack White III

Check out White’s post below.

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“It is saddening to hear of the passing of the incredible guitar player Dick Dale. I spent many moments learning his massive reverbed guitar licks in my bedroom, and still enjoy playing his song “Nitro” whenever I can. Sadly, I never got to meet him. A unique innovator of the guitar with pick melting style and swagger for miles. I can remember traveling up to Pontiac from Detroit by myself to watch him play when I was sixteen. That upside down gold sparkle Fender of his needs to be hung up some place special. Dick Dale, King Of The Surf Guitar.” -Jack White III

A post shared by T H I R D M A N R E C O R D S (@thirdmanrecords) on Mar 17, 2019 at 7:57pm PDT