Dick Dale to announce shock retirement from music?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

King of the Surf Guitar created a stir on Sunday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.
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Sad news for Dale fans. Speculation had been rife that King of the Surf Guitar will announce his retirement from music, at age 88, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 12/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a guitarist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a guitarist just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouDick

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouDick was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouDick.”
— @DesireePlum, 11 Jan 2026
“Dale wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 11 Jan 2026

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