The Bob Greene Book

[Charles]

Hey Group,

I was just thumbing through the Bob Greene book again. I was so excited when I heard about it, but found it wasn't as insightful as I'd hoped it would be....especially considering the guy had been on the road for 15 years with the duo.

Talk about a lucky guy.

What would you have wanted to know about the guys? I would have liked to have known what Jan and Dean did when they were not touring....what their interests were outside of music. They both were portrayed as rather flat and one dimensional.

[jdman]

Yeah, it was a good read, but not much insightful information.

[Mike1965]

He only has about one page when Jan dies.  Very shallow.

[2dean2]

In their spare time Jan would give driving lessons . Telling his students  " Never exceed the posted speed limit." While Dean when not plotting kidnapping semi famous children of famous people would spend time at The Blue Fox  or riding his White Bros skateboard . 

[1WALLY1]

This book is a joke. Some clown spends 15 years with the guys on tour and the end result is this, pointless garbage.  Written to link himself to Jan and Dean.
The Passmore book isn't any better, one mistake after another. I have to take my glasses off to look at the photos they look alot clearer that way.The sections that are correct have been ripped off from the McParland book which is nothing more than a reference book.
Greene and Passmore a waste of money. McParland ok but way too expensive.

[BlackSea]

Bob Greene When We Get To Surf City zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Until next time, drink a couple of litres of coffee before you start reading this one.

[2dean2]

Bob Greene's book was about HIS experience with Jan & Dean . NOT a book about Jan & Dean.
When read in that light it's better understood.

[1WALLY1]

Bob Greene shows great prowess in his writing, however the end result of his experience with Jan and Dean is uninformative. It's a very predictable piece of work that lacks substance.

[BlackSea]

Bob Greene shows great prowess in his writing, however the end result of his experience with Jan and Dean is uninformative. It's a very predictable piece of work that lacks substance.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Until next time

[burton]

Hello Jan & Dean Friends

I'll agree that the bob greene Book wasn't that great of a read but it's ok for the average fan.
 I don't know mark passmore personally but his Jan & Dean book is a good read for the average fan or even a hardcore fan. It covers a lot of stuff after the accident. Most people don't care about the pictures in the book because most fans seen those pictures before.
Mark Moore has all of jan's stuff from gertie and jan's family so his book should be informative when it's finally done, But i still do not think it will get them in the HALL OF FAME.
Mark Moore's tribute to Jan CD got Rhino handmade or andrew sandoval to put out Carnival of Sound which was awesome to finally have on cd in clean, clear Sound. But it didnt even sell out the 1500 cd/album double pack they offered. You know why, Because the fans are dying. No one really knows who jan & dean are anymore. Just speculation, But maybe 10,000 world wide and 5,000 here in the states. I don't know really but Mr. Walleye and black see if you guys know So much why don't you fellas write a tell all book about Jan & Dean. I would buy it. So just a little something to ponder. If everything else is junk. Put something out that's top notch. Just my too sents. b

[1WALLY1]

Hello people and especially you Burton.
1. The Bob Greene book is one mans self indulgence in an attempt to write himself into Jan and Dean history and as a result the book ends up being a one sided negative affair that depicts Jan Berry as a washed up looser and true fans of Jan Berry know that isn't the case.
2.As for the Passmore book it is possibly the worst way in which a casual Jan and Dean fan can get an introduction to the duo. There are so many factual errors in the content. Dean, despite contributing information to the author, refused to  put his stamp of approval for the end result, for obvious reasons, to distance himself from the final product.
3. COS a great effort from the persons involved. Jan and Deans fan base can't be judged from the sales of one product. Jan and Dean fans are broken up into several factions. There are those who are only interested in buying surf/drag related albums and have no interest in any of their other material. There are those that enjoy material from the pre surf era and those who refuse to listen to anything but the sixties material. You'd be surprised how many more people have got copies of COS. A few months back, my older brother was on a forum that concentrated on late sixties pop/psyche. One person purchased the original and copied it and distributed it amongst the other members of the forum numbering well over a couple of hundred. I've stated this before with the various media outlets today, if people can get something for free they'll do so.Just recently I saw that the whole album was downloaded on youtube. So in all fairness you can't judge Jan and Deans fan base from one release.
3. I've said it before I'm waiting for Marks book/s to be released for accuracy and the truth. He appears to have an unbiased approach and when writing a factual document/book that's what is required.
4.Why I don't write a book?. Simple I'm not a writer I'm a cop, but at the same time I will make comment on any  book/document that lacks integrity.
.
Keep it real people and just for the record I purchased the delux edition of COS

[sunny13]

I have just ordered this book last week to add it to my collection and thank you all for the reviews... Still, we know that Mark's book will answer all or most of  our questions.  I am so looking forward to reading it.
Talking about a Tribute to Jan.. Well, just recently I told David Beard how disappointed I was that ESQ did not even touched Jan Berry's 10 year anniversary when he passed nor mentioned his Birthday.   How sad is that, when even Brian himself mentioned that Jan was the genius in the studio.  Jan & Dean were a hit before the Beach Boys.  This really broke my heart and I am no longer subscribing to their magazine. 

[2dean2]

1WALLY1 I have to say anyone who spends 15 years with someone is a part of their history. Bob Greene was a well know writer in newspaper circles before this book. I'm just glad he did it on Jan & Dean they need all the press they can get.

[BlackSea]

I have just ordered this book last week to add it to my collection and thank you all for the reviews... Still, we know that Mark's book will answer all or most of  our questions.  I am so looking forward to reading it.
Talking about a Tribute to Jan.. Well, just recently I told David Beard how disappointed I was that ESQ did not even touched Jan Berry's 10 year anniversary when he passed nor mentioned his Birthday.   How sad is that, when even Brian himself mentioned that Jan was the genius in the studio.  Jan & Dean were a hit before the Beach Boys.  This really broke my heart and I am no longer subscribing to their magazine.

David Beards a good guy done a lot for Jan and Dean but should dedicate one issue of esq to Jan and Dean every year with them on the cover
Until next time

[Charles]

I was hoping the Greene book would provide more insight into who Jan & Dean were, post 1960's. After reading it, I felt Greene's perspective was that Jan's life was all about performing, and for Dean it was something he did to pay the bills. It was a light read. In contrast, the Passmore book was more of a full meal, in that it provided a fuller, deeper look into their lives. It would be interesting to know what Dean didn't like about it.