I just got back a finished shadow box with Dick Dale material I've been collecting for a few years. It includes one of his picks and a guitar strap that he and his bass player Sam Bolle signed after his show last fall in Denver.
I took a Fender strap and a silver Sharpie to the show, and when I walked in Sam was standing at the reception desk chatting with the host. I have met him a few times before, and asked for his signature right there. He was happy to sign. I asked him if Dick was going to sign anything after the show, since i knew that in recent years it has become unusual for him to do that. Sam said he wasn't sure, but if I got ahold of him after the show he'd make sure Dick signed it. In case you don't know, Sam is a freakin' awesome bass player. Check his website. Sam Bolle
Right after the show I scooted over to the backstage entrance and found one of Dick's guys - told him that Sam had said Dick would sign the strap after the show (essentially true, since Sam wasn't visible...). The gent took it back, but re-appeared in a moment with it unsigned. He said "I need your name, Dick doesn't just sign stuff, he signs it TO someone." I gave him my name, and he was back with the strap in a minute with the signature. I was DELIGHTED!
A few months later, Dick was gone. It was his last show in Denver. I also took a stereo pocket digital recorder to the show and I have a decent recording of it as well.
In this photo the angle is awkward to avoid lights in the room reflecting off the glass - but this is all stuff he signed for me over the years. The strap HAD to be a Fender strap, as that's all he played.
We have lost one of the true greats.
—It's easy to go the extra mile when you miss the last exit.
Last edited: Aug 02, 2019 19:17:36