201905.26
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Dick Dale, surf music icon, remembered at O.C. beach tribute

by in News

It was a fitting tribute for a musician who had a love for surfing.

Fans and friends showed up in Huntington Beach on Sunday, May 26, to remember “King of Surf Guitar” Dick Dale during a tribute held at the pier, with a group of surfers taking to the water for a “paddle-out,” the traditional memorial held for fellow surfers when they die.

Dale died March 16 at age 81. A benefit concert was also held Saturday, May 25, at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

  • Shirley Monsour, left, the sister of Dick Dale, known as a pioneer in surf rock music, Dale’s niece Nicole Lockhart, center, and great niece Taarna Lockhart, take part in a memorial service at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. The service was followed by a paddle out. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Friends, family and fans of Dick Dale, known as a pioneer in surf rock music, honor him during a memorial service at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  • Friends, family and fans of Dick Dale, known as a pioneer in surf rock music, honor him during a memorial service and then a paddle out at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Dale died March 16, at age 81. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Taarna Lockhart gets on a surfboard for the first time with the help of Milton Bradley Willis, in honor of her great uncle Dick Dale who died March 16. Dale was recognized internationally as “The King of Surf Guitar.” The paddle out followed a memorial service at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Friends, family and fans of Dick Dale, who was known as a pioneer in surf rock music, honor him during a memorial service followed by a paddle out where they threw flowers out to sea, at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Gary Entner and Cherie Al-Tuaimeh came from Rancho Cucamonga to honor Dick Dale, the man recognized internationally as “The King of Surf Guitar,” for his memorial service at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Friends, family and fans of Dick Dale, known as a pioneer in surf rock music, honor him during a memorial service and a paddle out at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Black and white photos of surf rock musician Dick Dale, look out over the H2O Hula Wahinis who dance in his honor during a memorial service at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Dick Dale, internationally recognized as “The King of Surf Guitar,” is honored during a paddle out at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Dale died March 16, at age 81. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Dick Dale, internationally recognized as “The King of Surf Guitar,” is honored during a paddle out at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Dale died March 16, at age 81. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Dick Dale, internationally recognized as “The King of Surf Guitar,” is honored during a paddle out at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Dale died March 16, at age 81. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Taarna Lockhart, left, gets on a surfboard for the first time in honor of her great uncle Dick Dale who died March 16. Dale was recognized internationally as “The King of Surf Guitar.” The paddle out followed a memorial service at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Dick Dale, internationally recognized as “The King of Surf Guitar,” is honored with colorful flowers during a paddle out at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Dale died March 16, at age 81. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The remembrance was to include a discussion of Dale’s life, achievements and his love for surf and bands were set to play Dale’s music through the day, including by the Del-Tones, a group Dale played with in his early days.

Dale came to Orange County from Massachusetts in 1954, riding his Harley motorcycle around Balboa Peninsula and picking up surfing at Dana Point, San Clemente and Huntington Beach.

He regularly filled the Rendezvous Ballroom on the Balboa Peninsula in the late 1950s and early 1960s, playing his surf music. He continued to play for crowds, despite ailing health, at The Coach House.