November 4, 2024

JAN & DEAN – Jan Berry Official Site

Life can have a higher meaning in a Carnival of Sound

History — 1958

Jennie Lee

JAN BERRY — A SELECTED TIMELINE
By Mark A. Moore
Author of Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry

JAN & ARNIE

1958

The Barons

1957-1958 — Jan Berry formed a vocal group called the Barons with high school classmates Arnie Ginsburg, Dean Torrence, John Seligman, Wally Yagi, and Chuck Steele. Named after their University High School Hi-Y club, the group rehearsed atJan’s garage studio in Bel Air. They sang hits of the day with multi-part vocal harmonies and falsetto. Jan played piano and began writing original songs, including “There In the Night” (recorded by the group) and “Jennie Lee” with Arnie Ginsburg.  Neighborhood musicians who jammed in the garage studio  with Jan and the Barons included drummer Sandy Nelson, (of future “Teen Beat” fame) and pianist Bruce Johnston, a future member of the Beach Boys.

The Barons
The BARONS, University High School, 1958 — Front Row: ARNIE GINSBURG (far left), JOHN SELIGMAN (second from left) —  Back Row: JAN BERRY (second from right), JIMMY BRUDERLIN (actor JAMES BROLIN, far right)

• February 1958 — The height of Jan’s wildly successful KJAN Radio scam to collect the latest promo records of the biggest Rock ‘n Roll and R&B artists of the era.

• March 1958Dean Torrence went on active duty with the U.S. Army Reserve, stationed at Fort Ord.

Jan Connects with Joe Lubin

• March 1958 — Jan signed an artist contract with Arwin Records A&R executive Joe Lubin.

Joe Lubin
JOE LUBIN with DORIS DAY, 1958 — (Courtesy Joe Lubin)

• April 1958 — Arwin released “Jennie Lee” by Jan & Arnie, an original composition penned by Jan Berry and Arnie Ginsburg. Distributed by Dot Records . . . In 1965, Jan Berry told KRLA Beat that the song “Jennie Lee” was inspired by the famous Burlesque performer of the 1950s and ’60s. To this day, however, Arnie Ginsburg disagrees.

Arwin Records

Jan & Arnie
JAN & ARNIE, “Santa Monica Evening Outlook,” 1958

• May 1958 — Jan & Arnie made their national television debut on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show.

“Jennie Lee” by Billy Ward & His Dominoes — Jan’s First “Outside” Chart Record as a Songwriter — (Cover)

• May-June 1958 — A cover of  Jan & Arnie’s “Jennie Lee” by Billy Ward & His Dominoes peaked on the national charts: #46 Cash Box and #55 Billboard.

Billy Ward & His Dominoes
BILLY WARD & HIS DOMINOES charted with a cover of Jan & Arnie’s “JENNIE LEE” in 1958

• June 1958 “Jennie Lee” by Jan & Arnie peaked on the national charts: #3 Cash Box, #4 R&B, and # 8 Billboard.

Jan Berry
JAN BERRY with GLENN FORD, 1958 — (Courtesy Berry Family)

• June 1958 — Jan & Arnie performed for The Friday Club at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

• June 1958 — Jan & Arnie performed at the Long Beach Drive-In in Long Beach.

Jennie Lee
Burlesque performer JENNIE LEE, “The Bazoom Girl”
jennie Lee, Sheet Music, 1959
SHEET MUSIC for “JENNIE LEE” (with Misspelled Song Title), 1958 — Published by MARTY MELCHER’S Daywin Music

• July 1958 — Arwin released “Gas Money” by Jan & Arnie.

• July 1958 —Jan & Arnie performed on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show.

• July 1958Summer Dance Party. Jan & Arnie joined an East Coast tour with Frankie Avalon, Link Wray, and the Kalin Twins.

Earl Palmer
Legendary Drummer EARL PALMER Played On Nearly Every Recording Session for JAN BERRY, from JAN & ARNIE in 1958 through the Biggest Successes of JAN & DEAN in 1964.

• August 1958 —Jan & Arnie performed at the first Rock ‘n Roll show ever held at the Hollywood Bowl.

• August 1958 —Jan & Arnie joined a tour with Sam Cooke in Northern California

• August 1958“Gas Money” by Jan & Arnie peaked  on the national charts: #81 Billboard.

Jan & Arnie
JAN & ARNIE on the Cover of “CASH BOX” Magazine with ARWIN RECORDS Executives, September 6, 1958 — From Left to Right: Musical Director ADAM ROSS, JAN BERRY, Producer and Head of A&R JOE LUBIN, ARNIE GINSBURG, and Label Owner MARTY MELCHER — 250 N. Canon Drive in Beverly Hills.

• September 1958 —Jan & Arnie appeared on the cover of Cash Box magazine.

• September 1958 — Arwin released “The Beat that Can’t Be Beat” by Jan & Arnie.

• September 1958Dean Torrence was discharged from the military and returned to L.A. to prepare for college.

• October 1958 — Jan & Arnie performed on The Jack Benny Program.

Jan & Arnie
JAN & ARNIE with JACK BENNY, 1958

• December 1958 — Jan & Arnie appeared on the cover of DIG magazine. A feature article promoted a contest for two girls to spend New Year’s Eve with the guys. (January 1959 issue).

Jan & Arnie, Dig Magazine
JAN & ARNIE on the Cover of “Dig” Magazine
Jan & Arnie
JAN & ARNIE Publicity Photo, 1958 — (Courtesy Joe Lubin)

© Mark A. Moore. All rights reserved.

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