Dean as solo star?

[NateRuvin]

So we all know that J&D were super stars in their day.

We also know that it was Jan who got into singing, and to return from the military, to pursue music.

But do you all think it would have been possible for Dean to somehow end up as a music star had it not been for Jan? (Probably not, in my opinion, but food for thought...)

[Admin]

It's hard to image Dean getting into the business on his own. After he had worked with Jan for a few years, Dean was able to branch out and put together a team to help him after Jan's accident. There was real potential in that, but it went for naught.

[Mike1965]

Dean was a back up singer in the right place at the right time. My opinion. Looking back he was the perfect friend for  Jan over the years.  Arnie would have never stuck around in phase II even if he had made it through phase I.

[jdman]

I don't think Dean would have been successful as a solo singer. He did some great songs like " like a summer rain" and Yellow Balloon, but overall he really sounded best when he was mixed in with other people. His solo part on Summer Means Fun may be his best vocal ever. But overall, he just wasn't an awesome singer.
For Jan to accomplish the hits they had with the singing talents they had was amazing. A real testament to his production talents.

Art Garfunkel was a great singer! but without Paul, he struggled. I don't think Dean had a shot

[Moon Dawg]

  Not sure if Dean would have been destined to sell a ton of records, but I can only judge Dean solo by his one true solo album: SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY. IMO a minor classic. Shame on Dean for not discussing this groovy record in his autobio.

[NateRuvin]

I was so surprised that he didn't mention Save For A Rainy Day, as it's, in my mind, his shining moment as an artist.

[Surf Route 101]

I was so surprised that he didn't mention Save For A Rainy Day, as it's, in my mind, his shining moment as an artist.

 Dean is all about the bottom line. The record didn't sell - being barely released - so why bring it up. It is a nice LP.

[Admin]

I was so surprised that he didn't mention Save For A Rainy Day, as it's, in my mind, his shining moment as an artist.

 Dean is all about the bottom line. The record didn't sell - being barely released - so why bring it up. It is a nice LP.

Yeah, the record didn't sell because it was never really distributed. Both the self-released and Columbia versions were nixed by Screen Gems.

[Surf Route 101]

  If Jan & Dean had continued - no accident 4-12-66 - then Dean should have been given more artistic expression via group projects. The RAINY DAY album proves he'd earned it. Perhaps in the form of the 3 or 4 cuts per J&D album when fitting into Jan's overall framework and concept.

 Would Jan have gone for this? Nope. 

[jdman]

You never know. Jan had already given Dean a song or two per album. Restless Surfer, Little Duece Coupe, the funny stuff. I think Jan could have let Dean have 3 or 4 later on. He was already letting go a little with accepting help from more people like George Tipton.