Surf guitarist Dick Dale’s son and ex-wife arrested in Calif. after propane tank explosion

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – The son and ex-wife of 1960s “King of the Surf Guitar” Dick Dale were arrested after they allegedly blew up a propane tank in a Southern California desert town.

Jill Monsour, 45, and James Monsour, 20, were arrested on suspicion of possessing an explosive device in public. They remained jailed Tuesday on $500,000 bail each, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department website. District attorney spokesman Chris Lee said prosecutors were still reviewing the case and no charges had been filed.

The Monsours were arrested at about 3:30 a.m. Monday near Dale’s isolated home in Wonder Valley, radio station KCDZ-FM reported.

Investigators determined that the Monsours placed a 5-gallon tank of propane atop a burning woodpile and then shot it with a gun, causing it to explode, the station reported.

Dale, whose birth name is Richard Monsour, said he was shocked when a neighbour told him about the arrests after hearing about them on the radio.

The musician, who is remarried, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he has had no contact with his ex-wife for 12 years and only rarely sees his son, who occasionally plays drums at Dale’s concerts.

“When he needs money he comes to me,” Dale said. “That’s the only time I see him.

Dale, who said he is fighting cancer and other illnesses, added that his medical expenses make it impossible for him to provide bail for his son and ex-wife.

It was not immediately clear whether his son would be able to perform with him on a concert tour scheduled for November and December.

“He wanted to do this tour, but if they’re in jail, what can be done?” Dale asked.

Dale, 75, is known as a surf music pioneer and influence on such other performs as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

His pounding, hard-charging electric guitar sound can be heard on such 1960s hits as “Let’s Go Trippin’” and “Misirlou.” The latter song was introduced to a new generation when Quentin Tarantino used it in his 1994 movie “Pulp Fiction.”