Jan & Dean: Official Message Board for Jan Berry

I bought Anthology in 1972, a year after its release. Always liked the song selection and the booklet. That’s when I first learned a lot about Jan & Dean. Also hearing many songs for the first time. The only other album I owned at the time was Command Performance. In 1975, I bought Gotta Take That One Last Ride on 8 track! And soon after, the double album. I played that tape in my van constantly. Especially when going to the beach for some surfing. I thought it had many great songs, most that I never heard before. Not sure what Jan thought of both of them. Maybe it’s in one of the two books by Mark A Moore.

I’ve seen the Surf City shortened clip awhile ago, as well as many other rock bands, I think on Facebook. It’s supposedly from the Red Skelton Show. According to the dates they give on the artists, the J&D Surf City clip is from 1965. That’s what I would have guessed also. Not sure why they picked a two year old song, but that’s fine. It’s great! Sure wish more appearances would show up. I’d really like to see their Lloyd Thaxton Shows which most (I think) are in color.

I’m a little more than half way through and it’s very difficult to put down. The hard part, like your previous book, is when it’s 1966, and it gets close to April. You kind of relive those days and wish there was another outcome. Why didn’t Jan get more sleep, why didn’t he do the speed limit and  why did the truck have to be parked there that day? Well, you’re finally at April 12th, and nothing has changed. The truck is parked on the street and Jan is driving faster than normal. Sure can’t change history. Every time I pick up this book, I’m hoping for someone who will think what a great movie this would be. Jan & Dean deserve it.

Absolutely one of my favorite J&D songs. How this never made it on an album, I’ll never know. The instrumental in the middle with the oboes is classic! The police sirens fit perfectly in there. First time I heard this was on a 2 album collection called Legendary Masked Surfers Rarities. It was the last song on side 1 with the other songs from 1958-1962.

That is a great photo. Thanks for posting it. Actually, if Keith Moon had been holding the skateboard, it would have been more logical. But we still would be wondering how he got one. Rest In Peace Wayne, and thanks for the music. As a side note, guitarist Eric Stewart was with Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders and took over lead vocals when Wayne left. Stewart eventually became a member of 10cc which was one of Deans favorite groups (according to a Sunshine Music fanzine article).

I bet Keith would have loved to sit in on the drums at a J&D concert for a few songs. And I’m sure the guys would be happy to let him. Same goes for The Beach Boys. He was a lover of surf music and left us way too soon.

I remember hearing this song years ago and knew right away that the melody was Horace the swinging school bus driver. Actually, I think I even own this 45 with the picture sleeve, but couldn’t find it after a long search. I was curious about the song writing credits and to my surprise, with the help of the internet, the credit went to Dickerson, lead singer and guitarist. I like the Untamed Youth a lot and have been listening to them since the early ‘90’s. Deke Dickerson is a phenomenal guitar player and used a Fender Jaguar that was popular with early surf groups. Carl Wilson played one on the first 3 or 4 Beach Boy albums. The Untamed Youth also covered J&D’s Surfin’ Hearse from the Drag City album. I have no idea why Dickerson is the only name listed on this 45. He only changed the lyrics. The music wasn’t his. In the mean time, I’m going to try and track down the 45. Curious to see what the writers credit says.