Hi David--More J&D memories:

Always thought that there was an interesting similarity between Little
Anthony and the Imperials and Jan and Dean.  Both started off as 50s doo-wop
acts and were able to redefine themselves brilliantly in the 60s;  Little
Anthony as the lost romantic and Jan and Dean playing the roles of  "Spike
Jones to Brian Wilson's Beethoven," according to the Rolling Stone History
of Rock and Roll.

Based on his mastering of the studio, did Jan have a Pet Sounds or Smile in
him at the time of the 1966 car crash?  Hard to say, but I think Save It For
A Rainy Day would have sounded quite different.

I am quite for happy for the way things worked out for Dean after 1966. He
became one of the best graphic artists in the business, and his Kittyhawk
Productions album artwork for Nilsson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the
Beach Boys are classics!  Steve Thorn

From: "David Bash" <bashpop@earthlink.net>
To: "Audities" <audities@smoe.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 7:24 PM
Subject: Re: Jan Berry


> I had the pleasure of meeting Jan Berry at a local record swap in Orange
> County.  I think it was 1997 or '98.  I was really struck by his genuine
> humility, which was in stark contrast to his supposed arrogant character
he
> displayed prior to his tragic accident.
>
> I may also be the only Jan & Dean fan in the world who thinks Jan's
> post-accident material was among the best he'd ever recorded.  I love the
> early/mid '70s Ode tracks like "Mother Earth", "Tinsel Town" and
especially
> "Sing Sang A Song".  I've got these on a bootleg LP called Jan & Dean
> Oddities, which also has some of the late '60s Warner Brothers sides like
> the great "Girl You're Blowing My Mind".  In fact, someone needs to do a
> comp of the Jan & Dean Warner Brothers period.
>
> Rhino Handmade, anyone?  Bryan?  Bryan?  :-)
> --
> Pop Rules!!!!!
> Take Care,
> David
>