By Steve Newton

Way back in July of 1993 I did my first interview with Dick Dale, the pioneering surf-rock guitarist who passed away two nights ago.

I chatted with the 56-year-old Californian in advance of a show at the Commodore Ballroom, one of the top live venues in Vancouver.

After the gig I hung around the stage with a bunch of other souvenir-hungry fans and got Dale to sign the Ear of Newt guitar, the plexiglass Raven I traded for a Blue Oyster Cult belt-buckle back in the early ’80s before it became the centrepiece of my website’s banner.

I got him to sign in silver felt pen, right on the headstock, because he’s Dick Freakin’ Dale.

R.I.P. Mr. Surf-Rock King.