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Heavy metal emerged as a distinct genre in the late 1960s, and Dick Dale is widely recognized as one of its pioneers. His innovative use of distortion, feedback, and rapid-fire guitar solos laid the groundwork for the heavy metal sound. Dale's influence can be heard in the music of bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Metallica, solidifying his legacy as a trailblazer in both surf rock and heavy metal.