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Surf Guitarist Dick Dale

Dale is known as "the King of the Surf Guitar." He launched surf rock in 1960 with his band, the Deltones. He described the surf sound in a 1963 article as "a heavy staccato sound on the lowkey guitar strings, with a heavy throbbing beat--like thunder, or waves breaking over you." Dale defined the California sound, and influenced The Ventures, The Beachboys, and Jan and Dean. He also influenced later groups like Sonic Youth. His music is now heard under the titles in the new movie, "Pulp Fiction." (Rebroadcast)

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Other segments from the episode on November 4, 1994

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 4, 1994: Interview with Steve Lopez; Interview with Dick Dale; Review of the film "Mary Shelly's Frankenstein."
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22:32

Journalist Steve Lopez on the "Badlands" of Philadelphia

Columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer Steve Lopez. He's just written his first novel, "Third and Indiana" about the hard life of North Philly. The origin of the story was a two-paragraph item Lopez read in the paper about a 14-year-old boy shot and killed on a drug corner. He was disturbed by the casualness and brevity of the report. Terry talks with Lopez about his new book, and about his popular columns. (Rebroadcast)

Interview

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16:32

The King of Surf Rock.

The man known as "the King of the Surf Guitar," Dick Dale. He launched surf rock in 1960 with his band, the Deltones. He described the surf sound in a 1963 article as "a heavy staccato sound on the low-key guitar strings, with a heavy throbbing beat--like thunder, or waves breaking over you." It's also played loud and with plenty of reverb. Dale defined the California sound, and influenced The Ventures, The Beachboys, and Jan and Dean. He also influenced later groups like Sonic Youth.

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The Year in Film

Film critic Stephen Schiff shares his top ten picks for 1994. Terry also asks him about the growing number of independent American films, the state of Hollywood, and the message of Forrest Gump.

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