Happy 85th birthday to Dean Torrence, one-half of the legendary surf rock duo, Jan and Dean! Born on March 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, Dean played a pivotal role in shaping the California Sound, a genre that captured the carefree, sun-soaked lifestyle of the West Coast. Alongside his musical partner Jan Berry, Dean helped pioneer vocal surf music in the early 1960s, influencing countless artists and leaving an enduring legacy in rock and roll history.
Jan and Dean skyrocketed to fame with a string of hits that became anthems of their era. Songs like Surf City (which became the first surf song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100), Baby Talk, Drag City, Dead Man’s Curve, and The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena) cemented their status as surf rock icons. Their innovative harmonies and high-energy performances helped define a musical movement that resonated with fans across generations.
Did you know: That’s Dean singing the high tenor part on the Beach Boys’ “Barbara Ann.”
Beyond his musical accomplishments, Dean is also an accomplished graphic artist. After the tragic 1966 car accident that left Jan Berry with severe injuries, Dean shifted his focus toward design, ultimately winning a Grammy Award for Best Album Cover in 1972. His work extended beyond music, proving his artistic versatility and keen creative eye.
Happy birthday, Dean—here’s to many more years of celebrating your remarkable career and lasting impact!
What’s Happening:
Check out an Asian fusion food tasting event tonight from 5–9 PM at Hazel Park Cafe, 21403 John R Rd, featuring a menu by special guest chef Savanah.
The Detroit Police Department is holding a vehicle auction at Bobby’s Towing, 10401 Lyndon Rd., Detroit. The action starts at 9:00 am. More info at Detroit.gov.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Detroit $346 million in disaster recovery funds to address unmet needs from the August 2023 flooding and storms. The City must submit an Action Plan to secure these funds, and your input matters! To learn about the proposed use of funds and share your feedback. Attend tonight’s virtual public meeting at 6pm on zoom at cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/3631409738
Today in History:
1954 – Ed Murrow and Fred Friendly air the historic McCarthy program on CBS’s See It Now.
1956 – Elvis Presley was proclaimed “the new singing rage” by RCA Victor Records in a half-page spread in Billboard magazine.
1964 – Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel recorded the acoustic version of “The Sound of Silence.” Later, the record company would add electric guitar, bass and drums, without the knowledge of either performer, and release the song as a single. The single reached number one on New Year’s Day 1966 and was included in the 1966 album Sounds of Silence. The song was also used by Mike Nichols in the 1967 film, The Graduate, alongside “Mrs. Robinson.”
1977 – “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You”, American singer Aretha Franklin’s tenth overall studio album, and first on Atlantic Records is released.
1978 – “The Incredible Hulk”, starring Bill Bixby as David Banner, premieres on CBS.
1979 – James Brown played at the Grand Ole Opry.
1981 – “Bette Davis Eyes” single released by Kim Carnes (Billboard Song of the Year 1981).
1988 – Younger brother of The Bee Gees, Andy Gibb died in the hospital. His death from myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) followed a long battle with cocaine addiction, which had weakened his heart.
1997 – “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Network
2000 – Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde was arrested for leading an animal rights protest against Gap, who was accused of using leather from cows “slaughtered illegally and cruelly”. The protest took place in a store in Manhattan.
2003 – Johnny Cash was admitted to Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., to undergo treatment for pneumonia.
2003 – During a concert in London, England, Natalie Maines, lead singer of the Dixie Chicks (now known simply as The Chicks), said that the band was “ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.” This was during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, and the comment sparked intense controversy and outrage among Americans, including a large share of country music fans. The Dixie Chicks were blacklisted by thousands of country radio stations, and the band members received death threats. The backlash also damaged sales of their next album and tour.
2009 – Tickets for a one-off gig by Paul McCartney in Las Vegas sold out seven seconds after going on sale. The former Beatle was booked to perform at the opening of the New Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on April 19 for 4,000 fans. Tickets were $750 each.
2010 – Pink Floyd won a court battle with EMI that prevented the record company from selling single downloads and ringtones on the Internet from the group’s albums. Pink Floyd’s back catalogue was second only in sales to The Beatles.
2015 – A jury awards Marvin Gaye’s estate (his children Marvin III, Frankie and Nona) $7.3 million, finding that the Robin Thicke song “Blurred Lines” is too similar to Gaye’s 1977 hit “Got To Give It Up.”
Today’s Birthdays:
- Chuck Norris is 85.
- Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean is 85.
- Tom Scholz of Boston is 78.
- Sharon Stone is 67.
- Britain’s Prince Edward is 61.
- Robin Thicke is 48.
