Maybe Clem can answer that. He was talking about 60's garage rock in another thread.
Tremolo pickin' like a mofo!
Yeah, I had that "Misirlou" on Dick Dale's LP "Surfer's choice" back in the early '60s. But really, that was about the only track that truly HAD something.
I never knew he tuned the guitar upside-down.
MG
I believe he also played and continues to use very heavy gauge strings as well. Honestly, he is quite good at that technique. Everybody does something best at some point, and his right hand technique has likely inspired thousands upon thousands of guitarists. Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan per se, but I do believe he made a contribution of substance to music.