JAN BERRY — A SELECTED TIMELINE
By Mark A. Moore
Author of Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry
JAN & DEAN
1959
• January 1959 — Jan was awarded a diploma from University High School. He should have graduated with the summer class of 1958 (the Vagabonds) but finished a half-year late.
• January 1959 — After contributing to a single for the Rituals for producer Joe Lubin on Arwin Records, Arnie Ginsburg retired from the music business. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May 1959. When his military service ended, Arnie returned to L.A. and entered college, attending the University of Southern California at the same time as Dean Torrence.
Jan Enters College
• February 1959 — Jan enrolled as a student at UCLA.
Dean Torrence becomes Jan’s New Partner
Jan Connects with Herb Alpert and Lou Adler
• February-April 1959 — Dean Torrence became Jan’s new professional partner, and Jan connected with independent record producers Herb Alpert and Lou Adler. Herb and Lou had learned the business while working for writer, arranger, and producer Robert “Bumps” Blackwell.
• May 1959 — Doré Records released “Baby Talk “ by Jan & Dean.
• June 1959 — Jan & Dean performed at the Lido Ballroom, Nu-Pike Fun Park in Long Beach.
• July 1959 — Jan & Dean performed at the Hollywood Palladium.
• August 1959 — Jan & Dean performed at the Hollywood Bowl.
• August 1959 — Doré released “There’s a Girl. “
• September 1959 — Jan & Dean made their national television debut on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show.
• September 1959 — Jan & Dean performed at the Michigan State Fair.
• September 1959 — “Baby Talk” peaked on the national charts: #7 Cash Box, #10 Billboard, and #28 R&B.
• October 1959 — Jan & Dean performed on Wink Martindale’s Dance Party.
• October 1959 — Jan & Dean performed at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
• October 1959 — Jan & Dean performed on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show.
• November 1959 — “There’s a Girl” peaked on the national charts: #80 Cash Box and #97 Billboard.
• November 1959 — Doré released “Clementine.”
• November 1959 — Jan & Dean performed at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz.
• November 1959 — Jan & Dean performed as part of the 19th Show of Stars at the Civic Auditorium in Hilo, Hawaii.
• December 1959 —Jan & Dean performed on American Bandstand, “Dick Clark’s New year’s Eve Party.”
© Mark A. Moore. All rights reserved.
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