Dick Dale, hailed as the "King of Surf Guitar," revolutionized music in the early 1960s with his band, The Del-Tones. Merging his Lebanese and Polish heritage, Dale infused Middle Eastern scales into his rapid, staccato guitar style, creating the surf rock genre. His 1961 hit "Let's Go Trippin'" is often regarded as the first surf rock instrumental, and "Misirlou" became iconic after its feature in the film *Pulp Fiction*. Collaborating with Leo Fender, Dale pioneered the first 100-watt amplifier, amplifying his powerful sound. His influence spans generations, inspiring artists from The Beach Boys to Jimi Hendrix. ([britannica.com](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dick-Dale?utm_source=openai))