JAN BERRY — A SELECTED TIMELINE
By Mark A. Moore
Author of Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry
1960
• January 1960 —Jan & Dean performed at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz and on Wink Martindale’s Dance Party.
• February 1960 — Doré Records released “White Tennis Sneakers.”
• February 1960 — Jan was initiated into the the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at UCLA. Nicknamed “Fiji,” the fraternity gave name to Jan’s personal music publishing company, Fiji Music.
• February-March 1960 — “Clementine” peaked on the national charts: #65 Billboard and #88 Cash Box.
• March 1960 — Doré Records released the Jan & Dean LP, also known as The Jan & Dean Sound.
• May 1960 — Doré released “We Go Together.” With the picture sleeve for “We Go Together,” the public imagery associated with Jan & Dean began to reflect the Southern California beach culture.
• June 1960 — “Safari Swing” — Jan & Dean performed at the Bel Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades.
• July 1960 —Dot Records issued a single and EP featuring several sides by Jan & Arnie from 1958.
• August 1960 —Jan & Dean performed at the Wisconsin State Fair.
• September 1960 —Jan & Dean performed at Grosinger’s Catskill Resort in New York.
• September 1960 —“We Go Together” peaked on the national charts: #39 Cash Box and #53 Billboard.
• October 1960 — Jan & Dean appeared on the cover of Movie Teen Illustrated as part of the magazine’s feature article on the duo, “Jan and Dean Invade Malibu.” They showed up for the spread in a white rag-top T-Bird, and the cover photo was shot at La Costa Beach. The national teen rags and local press had begun tying Jan & Dean to Southern California beach culture as part of their everyday lifestyles. Press articles mentioning their personal interest in surfing, cars, and drag racing would continue through 1961 and 1962.
• October 1960 — Doré released “Gee.”
• October 1960 — Jan & Dean performed at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.
• December1960 —“Gee” peaked on the national charts: #81 Billboard.
© Mark A. Moore. All rights reserved.
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