Jan Berry & the Aloha Band
By Mark A. Moore
Author of Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry
A work in progress . . .
In the mid-1970s Dean Torrence was initially not interested in touring with Jan Berry. So Jan assembled his own band and began performing live in the fall of 1976. There was initial confusion about Dean’s absence from Jan’s early solo concerts. His 1978 Aloha Band featured a stand-in “Dean” named Randy Ruff. Jan’s shows were often billed as “A Tribute to Jan & Dean, Featuring Jan Berry” . . . “The Jan & Dean Show, Starring Jan Berry” . . . “The Music of Jan & Dean, Starring Jan Berry” . . . or similar credits.
After the duo’s first successful reunion tours between 1979 and 1981, they broke up on bad terms for a couple of years. In 1982, Jan assembled a new incarnation of the Aloha Band and hit the road for a series of national tours, including a stint in Hawaii in 1983.
When Jan & Dean resumed performing again on a limited basis in 1983, Jan kept the Aloha band on call and toured with them when the duo was not performing. Jan performed with Aloha on and off through 1986 as Jan & Dean ramped up their permanent return to the road.
JAN’S BANDS . . .
Downing, Tripp & Middler (1976-1977): Paul Downing (lead guitar and musical director), Peter Tripp (bass), Joe Middler (keyboards), Chadwick McCall (drums)
The Aloha Band (1978, “The Hand Picked Band”): Gary Snyder (lead guitar and musical director), John Grove (bass), Brad Rice (keyboards), Gene Wall (keyboards, second tour, replacing Brad Rice), Carl Brenner (drums) — Booking Agent: Steve Green, Advent Talent Associates, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and New York — Road Manager, First Tour: Norm Levinberg, Advent Talent — Road Manager, Second Tour: Keith Ward, Advent Talent
The Aloha Band (1982): Dave Hodgen (drums and band leader), David Loe (lead guitar), Bruce Swanson (guitar), Jeff Todd (bass) Frank Jansen (keyboards) — Tour Manager: Leon McNabb, World Wide Talent
The Aloha Band (1982-1984): David Loe (lead guitar and musical director), Jim Hall (guitar), Jeff Todd (bass) Marv Allin (keyboards), Jim Ebert (drums) — Road Manager: Dave Fiumano — Promoter: Don Podolor
The Aloha Band (1984): David Loe (lead guitar and musical director), Dave Duncan (guitar), Don Osborn (bass), Marv Allin (keyboards), Jim Ebert (drums) — Road Manager: Dave Duncan
Jan’s Entertainment Company: WJB, Inc. (1982)
Jan’s Management: Bob Marks, Artists’ Management, November 1977-March 1978; Spotlight Entertainment Company (May 1982)
1976 — Jan Berry began performing live solo concerts for the first time since his 1966 car accident
November
14 – The Palomino, North Hollywood, California — (with Downing, Tripp & Middler)
1977
January
11 – Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, California — (with Downing, Tripp & Middler)
August
16 – Tiffany’s, Marina Del Rey, California — First billing as the Aloha Band
September
30 – Playboy Club, Phoenix, Arizona
October
1-2 – Playboy Club, Phoenix, Arizona
December
30-31 – Playboy Club, Phoenix, Arizona
Las Vegas, Nevada — (with Downing, Tripp & Middler)
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada — (with Downing, Tripp & Middler)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada — (with Downing, Tripp & Middler)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada — (with Downing, Tripp & Middler)
1978
February
3 – Deadman’s Curve (CBS) — Film biography of Jan & Dean debuted on national television.
4 – Oldies Revival, Denver, Colorado
March
8 – Fannie’s Trolley, Bloomington, Illinois
12 – Holiday Inn, Jasper, Indiana
15-16 – Macon County Light Company, Decatur, Illinois
18-19 – Colony House, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Stonehenge, Lebanon, Illinois — [week of March 20-24]
St. George and the Dragon, Pueblo, Colorado
Chandler, Arizona
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Altus, Oklahoma
The Extra Point, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Holiday Inn, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Louisiana
Varsity Club, College Park, Pennsylvania
Topeka, Kansas
Tennessee
Mississippi
Arkansas
Council Bluffs, Iowa
April-June
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Wichita, Kansas
Lubbock, Texas
Six Flags Over Texas
May
4 – Fannie’s Trolley, Bloomington, Illinois
26-27 – Market Show Lounge, Rolling Prairie Inn, Clive, Iowa
June
15 – Plantation Inn, Gainesville, Florida
26 – Surf Side VI, Beaver Park, Lorain, Ohio
July
15 – Palladium, New York City — Murray the K’s Brooklyn Fox Reunion. Dean Torrence joined Jan and the Aloha Band for Jan & Dean’s first live performance together outside of California since Jan’s 1966 automobile accident. Also on the bill were Jay Black & the Americans, the Four Tops, the original Ronettes, and the Skyliners. Promoter: Ron Delsener.
21 – The Wagner, Penn Yan, New York
August
13 – Zodiac Club, Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 – Americana Amusement Park, Middletown, Ohio
September
7 – Starwood, Los Angeles, California — Dean Torrence joined Aloha onstage to make this a Jan & Dean gig.
8 – Roxy Theatre, Pacific Beach, San Diego, California
17 – Main Point, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Phoenix Civic Center, Phoenix, Arizona, with Dean Torrence. Also on the bill were the Grass Roots, Steppenwolf, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, and Buddy Rich.
September-December
Alpena, Michigan
Savannah, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
November
11 – Roanoke, Virginia
17 – Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
1979-1980 – Jan & Dean reunion tours with Papa Doo Run Run
1981 – Jan & Dean reunion tour with the Bel-Air Bandits
1981 — Jan & Dean Break-Up
1982 — Jan resumed touring with a new incarnation of the Aloha Band
June
22 – Rumbleseat, Long Beach, California
25 – Topanga Corral, Horseshoe Bend, Topanga Canyon, California
July
12 – Aviation High School, Football Field, Redondo Beach, California
15 – Music Machine, West Los Angeles, California
August
10 – Carlos O’Brian’s, Riverside, California
16 – El Gato, Van Nuys, California
18-19 – Cattle Baron Saloon, Clovis, California (Fresno)
29 – Palladium, Hollywood, California. “The World’s Largest Beatle Festival,” produced by Ron Kurtz and Don Podolor, in association with Emil Edelmayer. Originally slated for the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on August 28. Also on the bill were Tony Sheridan, Rain, Spencer Davis, the British Reunion Band, and Tantrum (an all-girl band). Hosted by Dirk Summers, Joe Benson (KLOS), and Dusty Street (KROQ).
September
1 – Music Machine, West Los Angeles, California
3 – My Uncle Rich’s Nightclub, San Diego, California
4 – Oceanside Beach Party, Muscular Dystrophy Benefit, San Diego, California
5 – Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel, San Diego, California
October
20 – Radio City, Anaheim, California
November
4 – NACA Convention, Spokane, Washington
5 – Emerald Valley Forest Inn, Creswell, Oregon
11 – Northwest Fair Convention, Great Falls, Montana
12 – Carousel Lounge, Missoula, Montana
15 – Cavalcade, Pueblo, Colorado
17 – Union Bar, Minneapolis, Minnesota
23 – Crazy Zack’s, Wilmington, North Carolina
24 – Crazy Zack’s, Raleigh, North Carolina
25 – Crazy Zack’s, Columbia, Sourth Carolina
December
1 – Holiday Inn, Freeport, Illinois
1983
January
7 – Century II Civic Center, Wichita, Kansas
9 – 9th Annual Austin Custom Car and Hot Rod Show, Lester E. Palmer Auditorium and Convention Center, Austin, Texas
10 – Belle Starr, Dallas, Texas
11 – The Railhead, Houston, Texas
12 – Rodeo, Amarillo, Texas
15 – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
February
4 – Sacramento Community Convention Center, Sacramento, California
5 – 33rd Annual Autorama and Motor Sports Review, Cal Expo, Sacramento, California
18 – Myriad Convention Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
May
4-30 – Showroom, Marina Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
July
17 – Pelican Court, Klamath Union High School, Klamath Falls, Oregon
19 – Columbia High School Gym, Richland, Washington
20 – Hudson’s Bay High School Gym, Vancouver, Washington
21 – J. B. Thomas Junior High School Auditorium, Hillsboro, Oregon
22 – Bremerton Junior High School, Bremerton, Washington
23 – Olson Auditorium, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington
24 – Cascade High School Gym, Everett, Washington
August
1 – Windward Enlisted Club, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
2-3 – Enlisted Club, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii
4-5 – Coconut Grove, Royal Hawaiian Resort, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
6 – Vidinha Stadium, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
7 – Lahania Civic Center Amphitheatre, Maui, Hawaii
8-9 – Blue Max, Maui, Hawaii
12-13 – Kona Lagoon Longhouse, Big Island, Hawaii
14 – Crown Room, Naniloa Surf Hotel, Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii
20 – Louisville Fair, Louisville, Kentucky
21 – Andy’s Picnic, Hot Rod Show, Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo, California
23 – El Dorado Saloon, Sacramento, California
26-27 – Mission Inn, Riverside, California
28 – Starwood, Los Angeles, California
September
6 – L. J. Williams Theatre, Jaycess Event, Visalia, California — California All-Star Productions
8 – Creative Arts Center, Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, California — California All-Star Productions
9 – Modesto Junior College Gym, Kiwanis Club Event, Modesto, California — California All-Star Productions
10 – Nova High School Auditorium, Redding California — California All-Star Productions
14-30 – Showroom, Marina Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
October
1-3 – Showroom, Marina Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
15 – Spaulding High School Gym, Rochester, New Hampshire
16 – Daniel Webster College Gym, Nashua, New Hampshire
18 – Burlington High School, Shelburne Jaycees Event, Burlington, Vermont
19 – Drury Senior High School Gym, North Adams, Massachusetts
21 – Daniel Webster College Gym, Nashua, New Hampshire
22 – Waterford High School Auditorium, Waterford, Connecticut
23 – Newburgh Free Academy, Newburgh, New York
25 – Millsop Community Center, Weirton, West Virginia
26 – Parkersburg South High School Auditorium, Parkersburg, West Virginia
27 – General Nathan Goff Armory, Clarksburg, West Virginia
28 – Malabar High School Gym, Kiwanis Club Event, Mansfield, Ohio
29 – McMorran Auditorium, Kiwanis Club Event, Port Huron, Michigan
30 – Community Center, Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, Michigan
November
1 – Flinn Junior High School Auditorium, Rockford, Illinois
2 – Urban Middle School Auditorium, Noon Lions Club Event, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
3 – Lincoln High School Auditorium, Lions Club Event, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
4 – Ashwaubenon High School Gym, Benefit for the Special Olympics, Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin
5 – Oshkosh West High School Auditorium, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
6 – North High School Gym, Noon Lions Club Event, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
8 – D.C. Everett High School Fieldhouse, Jaycees Event, Wausau, Wisconsin — “Wheels For Bonnie” campaign to raise money to buy a new van for Bonnie Cywinski, a 22-year-old woman with muscular dystrophy.
9 – Sentry Theater, Benefit for Ronald McDonald House, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
10 – Iowa Memorial Union Ballroom, University of Iowa, Benefit for Ronald McDonald House, Iowa City, Iowa
11 – John Marshall High School Auditorium, Rochester, Minnesota
12 – Winona Junior High School Auditorium, Winona, Minnesota
13 – Austin High School Auditorium, Austin, Minnesota
14 – Fargo Civic Memorial Auditorium, Fargo, North Dakota
16 – Armory, Bismarck Junior College, Bismarck, North Dakota
17 – Pierre, South Dakota
18 – Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, South Dakota
19 – Big Horn Convention Center, Holiday Inn, Sheridan, Wyoming
December
2 – San Francisco Trade Center, San Francisco, California. Billy Tandi Productions, Blast Into the Past. Also on the bill were Bobby Freeman, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, and Donny Brooks.
14-18 – Tonanzio’s Country Inn, Cabaret and Ballroom, New Bloomfield, Missouri (Guthrie)
1984
April
26 – Post Auditorium, Kiwanis Club Event, Yuma, Arizona
27 – Hendrix Auditorium, Prescott Junior High School, Prescott, Arizona
28 – East Flag Junior High School Gym, Flagstaff, Arizona
29 – Farmington Civic Center, Farmington, New Mexico
30 – John F. Kennedy Middle School, Gallup, New Mexico
May
2 – Corbett Center, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
3 – Pueblo Auditorium, Roswell, New Mexico
4 – Grand Ballroom, Hilton Hotel, Amarillo, Texas
5 – Big Spring High School Auditorium, Big Spring, Texas
6 – R. N. Tydings Auditorium, Hobbs High School, Hobbs, New Mexico
7 – Sweeney Convention Center, Jaycees Event, Santa Fe, New Mexico
9 – Midland Senior High School Auditorium, Kiwanis Club Event, Midland, Texas
10 – Hale County Agricultural Center, Plainview, Texas
11 – Coronado High School Auditorium, Jaycees Event, Lubbock, Texas
12 – San Angelo Coliseum, San Angelo, Texas
13 – Mims Auditorium, Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas
14 – Greenville Municipal Auditorium, Greenville, Texas
15 – Lufkin Civic Center, Lufkin, Texas
16 – Centroplex Theatre for the Performing Arts, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
September
17 – Pocatello High School Auditorium, Pocatello, Idaho
18 – Paramount Theater, Idaho Falls, Idaho
19 – Yellowstone National Park, Montana
20 – Lincoln Junior High School, Billings, Montana
21 – Helena Civic Center, Helena, Montana
22 – University Theater, Missoula, Montana
23 – Montana State University Ballroom, Bozeman, Montana
24 – Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, Washington
29 – Capital High School Auditorium, Boise, Idaho
Songwriting and Recording
In addition to live performances, several members of Jan’s solo bands also wrote songs and recorded with him.
Downing, Tripp & Middler were on Jan’s solo single “Little Queenie” / “That’s The Way It Is” (A&M 1957-S, July 1977).
David Loe co-wrote “Rock City” with Jan and Roger Christian (JB Records Cassette, 1984, recorded by members of the Aloha Band at Gold Star Studios).
Dave Duncan co-wrote “Hawaiian Mirage” with Jan and Randell Kirsch (Port To Paradise, J&D Records, 1986; and Second Wave, One Way Records, 1997, as “Hawaiian Isles”)
https://www.facebook.com/jananddeanrecord/videos/1636306036682613/
Jan Berry and the Aloha Band in concert, Northwest Tour, 1983. The video is grainy but the sound is good. This performance reveals that Jan’s solo concerts during this era were as good as anything he had done with Dean Torrence’s band between 1979 and 1981. — (courtesy David Loe)
https://www.facebook.com/jananddeanrecord/videos/1968096256836921/
Jan Berry and the Aloha Band in concert, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1983. The video is grainy but the sound is good. — (courtesy David Loe)
© Mark A. Moore. All rights reserved.
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