“I learned everything by ear and played all the different instruments. ...” — Dick Dale Quote

I learned everything by ear and played all the different instruments. So then I was able to find a guitar. That was, like, in the seventh grade. And then I didn't know how to put my fingers on all the different strings, so I had to figure out how to do it upside down and backwards, and I still play that way today.

Every time I went into the studio some engineer tried to impress me with how they're going to capture my sound with all kinds of tricks. But they limited the sound and never allowed me to play how I felt.

Little Richard, he'd say, 'Oh Dick Dale! You have luscious lips!'

Some guys record an album with songs that are filler. I recorded this album like it was my last.

If one wants to go on living, one must evolve. Before, when we composed, we would start by a series of music themes. Once created, we would hire writers and lyricists to make up the text and the story line. I was the first to do this backwards with 'Man of La Mancha.'

I'm writing songs to perform, to entertain. And when I'm really trying to get inspired, I go backwards, and I just rap.

Return of the Jedi' has always been favorite. It almost goes backwards for me. 'Return of the Jedi,' then 'Empire,' then 'Star Wars.'

Everybody can remember outfits like Celine Dion's backwards Dior tuxedo... these 'worst' dresses become part of pop culture, and we keep referencing them.