Dick Dale touring... to stay alive

[Johnny_L.A]

Dick Dale Is In Very Rough Shape, But Keeps Touring To Afford Medical Treatment

“I can’t stop touring because I will die,” Dale says. “Physically and literally, I will die. I have to raise $3,000 every month to pay for the medical supplies I need to stay alive, and that’s on top of the insurance that I pay for … Sure, I’d love to stay home and build ships in a bottle and spend time with my wife in Hawaii, but I have to perform to save my life. I’ve been living like this for the past 15 years, but I’m still here and opening my eyes each morning.”

<snip>

According to Dale, he intends to go out “on stage in an explosion of body parts.”

[Sam_Lowry]

That’s a shame. Things sound rough:

He’s had rectal cancer twice, had parts of his stomach and intestines removed, and thus wears a colostomy bag under his clothes at all times. He’s currently in renal failure and refuses to go on dialysis. He has diabetes. And he suffers from vertebrae so damaged “that every time I stand up it’s like a double-edge sword going into my spine,” as he told the Pittsburgh City Paper in a new interview.

I’m glad he is able to keep touring, and he sounds like he does get some enjoyment out of it. But it’s a shame that he has to in order to stay alive.

[TriPolar]

Didn’t know he was still around. It’s a shame he hasn’t received aid from the many musicians who benefited from the style he pioneered. I loved surfing music growing up in the 60s.

[scabpicker]

Damn, that’s horrible. Sadly, he doesn’t seem to have any merch for sale, or any obvious way to donate to him. So, going and seeing him play seems to be the only way to help.

[Johnny_L.A]

@Sam_Lowry

That’s a shame. Things sound rough:

Yeah, he’d been in my Celebrity Death Pool every time I played.

I wish I could see him play. I love his music.

[lieu]

*According to Dale, he intends to go out “on stage in an explosion of body parts.” *

Ah, a tournado. What a tough bastard. I’ve great memories associated with so many of his songs. If he tours around here, we’re going!

[Helena330]

@TriPolar

Didn’t know he was still around. It’s a shame he hasn’t received aid from the many musicians who benefited from the style he pioneered. I loved surfing music growing up in the 60s.

This story has gone viral the last few days so hopefully they will. I hope someone can get some crowd-sourcing going. This is terrible.

[Accidental_Martyr]

If only there was some sort of health care system that could be implemented in this country to keep things like this from happening…
I saw Dick Dale in 2002 at The Chukker (unfortunately now closed) in Tuscaloosa, AL. He put on a hell of a show.

[nearwildheaven]

Isn’t he old enough for Medicare? I realize they don’t pay for everything.

I went to see him about 20 years ago with an old roommate, and she embarrassed the hell out of me by bowing down to him while he played. :o :smack: