JAN & DEAN

Though Jan & Dean got together the same year as "the other beach group" their record and television career was five years ahead of the Beach Boys. In those five years they had ten records on the pop charts including "Heart and Soul," "Linda," "Barbara Ann" and "Baby Talk" their first of nine gold singles. They also had their own television music special plus multiple appearances on "Dick Clark’s American Bandstand."

When the Southern California Sound hit the pop music scene like a giant wave, their hits included "Surf City," "Drag City," "Ride The Wild Surf," "Side Walk Surfin," "Honolulu Lulu," "New Girl In School," Dead Man’s Curve" and "Little Old Lady From Pasadena."

These two native Californians sold more than 30 million records between the years of 1960 and 1966. Their skyrocketing career as teen idols came to a crashing halt on April 12, 1966 when Jan Berry almost died in a catastrophic car accident. When Jan awoke from a month long coma he was unable to speak. For years the name Jan and Dean remained only in the memories and record collections of their many fans.

The 1978 prime time CBS-TV Movie "Deadman's Curve" chronicled Jan’s valiant fight to return to a normal life. After extensive therapy and the support from his partner Dean Torrence. Jan & Dean toured with the Beach Boys in 1978 and 79 to see if they were even remembered. They were.

They toured on there own in 1980 and 81 but difficulties caused them to discontinue. Producer Bill Hollingshead, who has presented many of their concerts, was taken by surprise by the standing room only turnout and the standing ovations.

Jan & Dean were the first American Celebrity rock group to tour the Peoples Republic of China and Entertainment Tonight featured "The Courage of Jan Berry" as a tribute to their renewed career. With such broad music appeal, Jan & Dean co-billed with James Brown at the Three Rivers Stadium, rocking 45,000 fans.

On April 12, 1996 Jan & Dean were inducted into Hollywood’s Rockwalk on Sunset Boulevard. They were honored with this lifetime achievement award by their industry peers as innovators and contributors of the Southern California sound to the rock n’roll art form.

In 1998 VH1 Television documented Jan & Dean in their own segment of "The Story Behind the Music" which is currently airing about every two weeks. And, on June 17, 1999 Jan & Dean appeared as guests of honor at the Los Angeles Petersen Automotive Museum at the opening of their exhibit "Surf’s Up Summer Salute to the Woodie" a truly Southern California creation.

As the architects of the beach and surf vocal and instrumental sound they represent the mystique, glamour and romance of Southern California….the ocean, sunshine, skateboards, hot rods, palm trees, beaches, woodies, surfing and …girls. As they tell us in their song "Ride the Wild Surf"….