Mark A. Moore - Dead Mans Curve: The Rock n Roll Life of Jan Berry

The late Jan Berry made this book possible. Several years before his death, Jan gave me access to his career archive to help chronicle his life. You are holding the result in your hands.

His late parents Bill and Clara Berry were both incredibly helpful. Bill provided encouragement and additional documentation, and Clara shared her memories for the project.

Jans wife, Gertie Berry, was the catalyst for my connection with him, and she facilitated my access to the documentary evidence of his life and career. Without Gertie, this book would not have been written.

I am grateful for the input from Jans brothers and sisters over the yearsLuana, Kenny, Brian, Aleta, Billy, and Missy. Aleta Berry Vogt was especially helpful in providing family photos and answering questions. In 2002 when I served as consultant for Jan & Dean: The Other Beach Boys, for A&Es Biography , Ken stepped up and drove Jan to the studio for his final major television interview, when I could find no one else to do it. The enduring spirits of deceased Berry siblings Carol, Bruce, and Luanaand Jans son, Stevieare not forgotten. Luana succumbed to cancer as I was putting the finishing touches on the manuscript. Debbie Denise, Luanas partner, helped facilitate my early correspondence with Luana.

I am grateful to Dean Torrence for his crucial role in the Jan & Dean phenomenon, and for sticking by Jan through thick and thin, across nearly ve decades. The road was not always an easy one, but he did not abandon the journey. Dean contributed anecdotes for this narrative and provided two of his personal photos of Jan at work in the studio. Dean also sketched the layout of Jans Bel Air garage studio, which I adapted for the book. To quote the late Carl Wilson: Thanks, Dean! Be sure to check out Deans memoir, Surf City: The Jan & Dean Story .

The late Joe Lubin, who discovered Jan & Arnie in 1958, spoke with me at length about his experience with them. Joe and Jan remained lifelong friends, and Joes insight and commentary shed welcome light on the genesis of Jans career. Joe had a distinguished career as an A&R executive and songwriter, especially for Marty Melchers Daywin Music and Doris Days films.

Arnie Ginsburg, Jans first professional partner, provided a wealth of information on the birth of Jans career. A talented and successful architect, Arnie has largely remained silent on his time with Jan, and the music business in general, since 1958. He continues to shun the spotlight and rarely grants interviews. I am beyond grateful that Arnie took the time to share his memories with me. Our understanding of those crucial early days would be sorely lacking without Arnies input.

Lou Adler, a titan of the industry, shed invaluable light on the transition from his early Jan & Dean productions to Jan taking the reins as producer and creative force behind the duo. Lou also shared insight on his time as manager of Jan & Dean, and their transition to Dunhill Productions. I cannot thank Lou enough for taking the time to speak with me.

Special thanks to Brian Wilson, co-founder and leader of the Beach Boys. Brians friendship and songwriting relationship with Jan were a big part of Jan & Deans success, and the two acts remain indelibly tied together. While on tour in New York, Brian took time to speak with me about Jan. Thanks also to Jean Sievers and Lauren Mele of Beachwood Entertainment Collective, and to Brians assistant Alberto Reyes, for facilitating the connection. Love and Mercy, Brian.

Jill Gibson shared intimate details of her time as Jans girlfriend and songwriting partner. She was the original love of Jans life. The information Jill shared for this project brought back painful memories for her, and I am grateful for her candor. This biography simply would not have worked without Jills input.

Bruce Johnston shared more insight on the birth of Jans music career. Long before he became a permanent member of the Beach Boys in 1965, Bruce was a neighborhood friend and fellow musician at Jans garage studio in Bel Air in the late 1950s. Bruce witnessed the Barons and the beginnings of Jan & Arnie, and explains how Jan influenced his own career.

The late Dr. Don AltfeldJans longest serving industry cohort and medical school classmatecontributed immeasurably to my understanding of Jans life and career. They wrote a lot of songs together, from Jan & Arnie in 1958 through the first Carnival of Sound related sessions in 1967. Over the years Don and I shared a lot of correspondence and phone calls. Despite their natural ups and downs as friends and collaborators, Don remained one of Jans biggest champions. Special thanks to Dons former wife Christina Altfeld for contributing photos for the project, and to their son Dylan Altfeld for connecting me with his mother.

Artie Kornfeldco-writer of Jan & Deans classic hit Dead Mans Curve and co-producer and promoter of the historic Woodstock music festivalshared crucial insight on his friendship and songwriting relationship with Jan. I was honored to serve as an editor for Arties memoir The Pied Piper of Woodstock , published in 2009. We had a lot of laughs working on that project. Artie remains a steadfast champion of Jans legacy as a songwriter, arranger, and record producerand views Jan as one of the major influences on his career.