"I used to be a mean maniac. Someone once threw a firecracker at a show and I jumped off the side of the stage and whacked 'em on the side of the head"

This quote by Dick Dale paints a brilliant picture of his previous habits. It suggests that he was when an extremely aggressive person, happy to take physical action versus someone who mistreated him. The fact that he jumped off the side of the phase to challenge the individual who tossed the firecracker indicates that he was not afraid to take dangers and was willing to defend himself. This quote also suggests that he was enthusiastic about his music and was not willing to let anybody disrespect it. It is most likely that this experience taught him to be more conscious of his actions and to hesitate prior to responding in a violent manner. Overall, this quote exposes a lot about Dick Dale's past and how he has actually grown as a person.