Mark A. Moore's Blog, page 3

Jan Berry Documentary Under Development

Author Mark A. Moore is working with Voyage Media to produce a documentary on the life of Jan Berry and Jan & Dean, based on the author’s award-winning book, Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry (McFarland 2021).

A fundraising campaign for the project is underway. All contributors will receive credit.

A Voyage Media representative is available to answer questions about this project (serious inquiries only). Submit questions to the author at: info@jananddean-janberry.com. If warranted, a direct connection can be facilitated.

Jan’s story was first told on-screen in the fictionalized 1978 TV film Deadman’s Curve (two words). It is long past due for the real story of this artist to reach a wider audience.

Jan Berry, leader of the music duo Jan & Dean from the late 1950s to mid-1960s, was an intense character who experienced more in his first 25 years than many do in a lifetime. As an architect of the West Coast sound, he was one of rock ‘n’ roll’s original rebels–brilliant, charismatic, reckless, and flawed. As a songwriter, music arranger, and record producer for Nevins-Kirshner Associates and Screen Gems-Columbia Music, Berry was one of the pioneering self-produced artists of his era in Hollywood. He lived a dual life, reaching the top of the charts with Jan & Dean while transitioning from college student to medical student, until an automobile accident in 1966 changed his trajectory forever. Suffering from brain damage and partial paralysis, Jan spent the rest of his life trying to come back from Dead Man’s Curve. His story is told here in-depth for the first time, based on extensive primary source documentation and supplemented by the stories and memories of Jan’s family members, friends, music industry colleagues, and contemporaries. From the birth of rock to the bitter end, Berry’s life story is thrilling, humorous, unsettling, and disturbing, yet ultimately uplifting.

Jan Berry Documentary Film Under Development

Author Mark A. Moore is working with Voyage Media to produce a documentary film on the life of Jan Berry and Jan & Dean, based on the author’s award-winning book, Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry (McFarland 2021).

A fundraising campaign for the project is underway. All contributors will receive a screen credit.

A Voyage Media representative is available to answer questions about this project (serious inquiries only). Submit questions to the author at: info@jananddean-janberry.com. If warranted, a direct connection can be facilitated.

Jan’s story was first told on-screen in the fictionalized 1978 TV film Deadman’s Curve (two words). It is long past due for the real story of this artist to reach a wider audience.

Jan Berry, leader of the music duo Jan & Dean from the late 1950s to mid-1960s, was an intense character who experienced more in his first 25 years than many do in a lifetime. As an architect of the West Coast sound, he was one of rock ‘n’ roll’s original rebels–brilliant, charismatic, reckless, and flawed. As a songwriter, music arranger, and record producer for Nevins-Kirshner Associates and Screen Gems-Columbia Music, Berry was one of the pioneering self-produced artists of his era in Hollywood. He lived a dual life, reaching the top of the charts with Jan & Dean while transitioning from college student to medical student, until an automobile accident in 1966 changed his trajectory forever. Suffering from brain damage and partial paralysis, Jan spent the rest of his life trying to come back from Dead Man’s Curve. His story is told here in-depth for the first time, based on extensive primary source documentation and supplemented by the stories and memories of Jan’s family members, friends, music industry colleagues, and contemporaries. From the birth of rock to the bitter end, Berry’s life story is thrilling, humorous, unsettling, and disturbing, yet ultimately uplifting.

‘Pop Symphony’ Music Score Published: “Little Old Lady”

“[Pop Symphony] was novel. It was unique, and it was wonderful . . . But that was Jan, and Jan was a visionary.“

Hal Blaine
Wrecking Crew drummer and performer on Pop Symphony

“The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena),” Jan Berry and George Tipton’s 1965 orchestral arrangement for Pop Symphony, has been published as part of the series highlighting Jan’s original music scores from the 1960s (Fiji Printing #7).

The original recording featured 28 Wrecking Crew musicians, plus Jan as session leader.

Pop Symphony: The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena)

Jan Berry and George Tipton’s Authentic Original Music Score
Used by the Wrecking Crew in recording the Pop Symphony LP, 1965.
Arranged by Jan Berry & George Tipton
Transcribed by Mark A. Moore

Description: The opening track of Jan’s ambitious orchestral project from 1965. Here the classic ’60s hit is re-imagined as a sophisticated Viennese Waltz.

Size: 11″ x 17″
Length: 41 pages
Contents: Cover Page, Introductory Text, Full Score and Individual Charts, and End Page.

Studio Recording Arrangement (25 parts): WOODWINDS: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet 1 (Clarinet & Flute); Clarinet 2 (Clarinet & Bass Clarinet); BRASS: French Horn 1-2, Trumpet 1-2, Trombone; STRINGS: Harp, Violin 1-8, Viola 1-2, Cello 1-2, Contrabass; RHYTHM: Guitar, Danelectro 6-String Bass Guitar, Drums, Percussion (Triangle, Piatti, Concert Bass Drum).

Distributed by: ArrangeMe and the Hal Leonard Corporation.
Licensed from: Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc. and Universal Music-Careers.
Available from: Sheet Music Direct, Hal Leonard’s premier outlet for digital sheet music. Also available from Sheet Music Plus.
Published: February 1, 2023 (Fiji Printing #7).

Jan Berry’s ‘Second Wave’ Gets Digital Release

Associate producer Rob Kuropatwa has issued a digital version of Second Wave, Jan Berry’s solo album from 1997. The release features the original lineup plus previously unreleased bonus tracks. The sound quality has also been restored.

“Hard to believe, but Jan and I started working on this album together 34 years ago!” says Rob. “Wish he was still here to enjoy its premier digital release. He was so proud of the work we did on this project all those years ago. This ‘Deluxe Edition’ of the album contains several versions of these songs you’ve never heard before, including a couple of the songs presented in a karaoke mix and some with alternate intros, too. Second Wave is presented here for the first time in its full sonic glory, with uncompressed dynamic range and original EQ, from a digital copy of the master tape. We hope you enjoy it!”

Second Wave (Deluxe Edition)
Jan Berry

21 Tracks • Playing Time: 01:11:00 • Released January 28, 2023:

Get That GirlSpring BreakThe Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)Love Her TonightShe’s Dancing, DancingHonolulu LuluOh, The Love Inside MeHawaiian IslesDead Man’s CurveSo Here I Go AgainGet A JobSurf City31 Flavors, 31 Years – Jan Berry feat. Jan & DeanEpilogueSpring Break (Original Version)Get That Girl (Karaoke Mix)Spring Break (Original Version – Karaoke Mix)Spring Break (Alternate Mix – No Rap)So Here I Go Again (Full Intro)Get That Girl (Alternate Intro – “Dean”)Get That Girl (Alternate Intro – “Dude”)

Available from:

Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and other digital music outlets.

Jan Berry

Jan Berry Bio Receives Certificate of Merit for Research from ARSC

The ARSC (Association for Recorded Sound Collections) has awarded the book Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry, by Mark A. Moore, a Certificate of Merit in the category Best Research in Recorded Rock or Popular Music. There were nine finalists. The top award went to a book about Prince’s sessions in the 1980s. Out of the remaining eight finalists, four Certificates of Merit were awarded, including Dead Man’s Curve and a book about the band Cream.

“Special thanks to ARSC,” said Moore, “for recognizing Dead Man’s Curve along with the other winners and finalists. I’m honored to be in their company. More importantly, it’s nice to have a brighter spotlight on Jan Berry’s life and career.”

New Dean Torrence Compilation

Dean Torrence & Friends: The Teammates. A collection of Dean Torrence collaborations spanning 1965–1985, including previously unissued recordings, rare tracks, and alternate mixes. Order from Omnivore Recordings.

Track List:

BUY OUR ALBUM – The Legendary Masked SurfersSUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME – Our GangTHE THEME FROM LEON’S GARAGE – Our GangLOUISIANA MAN – Jan & DeanSNOWFLAKES ON LAUGHING GRAVY’S WHISKERS – The Laughing GravyVEGETABLES (Alternate Mix) – The Laughing GravyMOVING DAY – Locksley HallIT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY – Hogfat Cantina Singers & Bel Air BanditsJUST KEEP IT UP – Terry Melcher, Bruce Johnston, Dean TorrenceLOVE LACE – Terry Melcher, Bruce Johnston, Dean TorrenceA TEENAGER IN LOVE – Dean TorrenceI ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU – Dean TorrenceGET A JOB – Dean TorrenceONE SUMMER NIGHT – Dean TorrenceDEAD MAN’S CURVE (Dr. Landy Version) – Dean TorrenceBE TRUE TO YOUR BUD (BUDWEISER FIGHT SONG) – Mike & DeanLIGHTNIN’ STRIKES – Mike & DeanHER BOYFRIEND’S BACK – Mike & DeanALLEY OOP – Mike & DeanJINGLE BELL ROCK – Mike & DeanRIDE THE WILD SURF – Flo & Eddie with Dean TorrenceORDER OUR ALBUM – The Legendary Masked SurfersFUN, FUN, FUN (Commercial) – Mike & Dean

Interview with Author Mark A. Moore on the Publication of Jan Berry’s Original Music Scores from the 1960s

Here’s a new interview author Mark A. Moore did with Phil Miglioratti at Pray for Surf. The subject is the publication of Jan Berry’s original music scores from the 1960s, with insight on how Jan worked in the studio with the Wrecking Crew.

Interview with author Mark A. Moore on the Publication of Jan Berry’s Original Music Scores from the 1960s

Here’s a new interview author Mark A. Moore did with Phil Miglioratti at Pray for Surf. The subject is the publication of Jan Berry’s original music scores from the 1960s, with insight on how Jan worked in the studio with the Wrecking Crew.

Some Things You Never Forget!

Bob Emrich shares memories of Jan Berry as a teenager in Bel Air in the 1950s.

Jan used to broadcast from his garage on Saturday mornings. He had a microphone, and you could hear him around the ‘hood, which was Linda Flora and Orum Road.

I remember hearing “Jennie Lee” and “I Need Some Gas Money” [by Jan & Arnie] on my crystal radio set in 1958.

Portatif of Jan Berry as a teenager. Painted by his grandfather, Hiram Berry. From a photo taken by author Mark A. Moore at Jan’s house in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, April 2004.

Jan used to hike the hills with some of us around the neighborhood, and he would always sing songs. One of his favorites was “Side By Side” [a 1927 song covered by Kay Starr and many other artists].

He was a prankster, and one time he pulled up next to me and some friends, and he held a bottle out the window and sprayed water on us with a high powered nozzle.

Map of the Bel Air area surrounding the Berry family home at 1111 Linda Flora Drive—home base for the Berry clan for nearly 50 years.

He and his brother Ken used to play football on the grass field at nearby John Thomas Dye School [known before 1959 as the Bel Air Town and Country School], usually on weekends. About ten of us would choose sides, and Jan would always choose Ken first. They were both really good athletes. Jan was QB [quarterback] and he always found Ken open. Their team always won because of its pass/catch combination, but we all looked forward to playing.

Bel Air Town and Country School. Courtesy John Thomas Dye School (www.jtdschool.org).

Jan and Ken had a printing press in their garage, and they used to print cards for school clubs with the name of the club in the center, and members’ names around the sides. They’d sell them to kids at Emerson Junior High. I bought some different colored ones with “Girl of the Month” [printed] in the center, and I think he charged a dime apiece.

Jan Berry with teenage girlfriend Jeanette Andersen, who became the inspiration for his composition “Jeanette, Get Your Hair one” (the B-side of Jan & Dan’s “Baby Talk” in 1959).
Courtesy Berry family.

Jan used to cut pages in half from a Life magazine and stuff the ends in his belt. The rest of the pages would hang down outside. He would take one half-page out and twist it in such a way to make a dart out of it. He would wet his fingers and twist one end to a point. He would tear off a little of the other end. He loaded it into a small aluminum pipe about a foot long, with the open end of the dart next to an end of the pipe, and he could blow it at least a hundred yards away. [See also Ernie Wiley’s story about the darts in The Jan & Dean Record, p 17].

My favorite story about Jan happened in the summer of 1955. So he was probably 14. There were about five of us playing catch in the street, when Jan came running down to us and whispered, “Follow me!” So we dropped our gloves and ran after him up the street. He turned into a vacant lot and turned around with his finger to his lips. Then he climbed down a small hill above a house we just passed. There was a bamboo fence about halfway down the hill, which was the property line. He went down to it, looked through it, and quietly turned around and waved us down to see what was on the other side. So we all climbed down to the bamboo fence and took a look. Mrs. Crawford had fallen asleep naked on the cot next to her pool. None of us had ever seen anything like that before. We were staring at her for a couple minutes, when the fence broke, and we all went tumbling down the hill to exactly where she was sleeping. She jumped up, quickly wrapped a towel around herself, and ran to her house. She opened the door, turned around and said, “Bobby, you should be ashamed of yourself,” went inside and slammed the door. Some things you never forget!

Bob Emrich

Jan Berry Bio a Finalist for Research Award

The new biography Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry is one of nine finalists for a 2022 Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) Award for Excellence. Author Mark A. Moore is a finalist in the category, Best Research in Recorded Rock or Popular Music. The ARSC Awards are “given to authors of books, articles or recording liner notes to recognize those publishing the very best work today in recorded sound research. In giving these awards, ARSC recognizes the contributions of these individuals and aims to encourage others to emulate their high standards.” Founded in 1966, the ARSC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and studying sound recordings across all genres of music and speech, from all periods of history.