A Message From Fred Vail

Greetings, Malcolm, and THANKS for inviting me to visit your new and expanded site. Wow. What memories that brings back!!

As I've written on the official "Jan & Dean" site, I actually met the duo nearly three full years before I met the 'boys.' I was a huge fan of their earlier hits, including "Jenny Lee" and "Baby Talk," and when I heard they were going to be guesting on Dick Clark's "Bandstand" show from the Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco Bay, I talked my Mom into driving me down there. I believe the year was 1960 and I was sophomore student at El Camino High School. I was really into radio, working as a "gopher" at two Sacramento radio stations. Anything I could do to meet my favorite artists and hang out' with the city's top Deejays, I was eager to do.

I introduced myself to J & D immediately after the Bandstand broadcast. They were two really likeable guys. They were the 'perfect' image for the Southern California lifestyle. In great health, sun-tanned, with great personalities. We hit if off immediately. Less than two years later, on May 24, 1962, I brought them out to my high school for a 'free' afternoon concert. Johnny Crawford (from TV's "Rifleman" series), Bobby Freeman, and Smokey Robinson and "The Miracles" were also on the show. Talk about a great concert. And for 'free,' no less ...

I graduated that June and within a year, I was promoting concerts, dances and booking acts into teen clubs and all-night grad parties. One of the first acts I booked was "Jan & Dean." We've been friends now for 44 years and I was glad I was able to see Jan twice within a few months before he passed. I saw them in Tunica, Mississippi and again at the filming of the PBS special, "At The Drive-In," which features a great lineup

of 60's talent. It would be the last time I would have a chance to visit with Jan--and also the last time I would see my dear friend, Ray Peterson, in concert.

We've lost so many great people over the past several years. Jan was the 'real deal.' We're all fortunate to have such a rich legacy of their music to enjoy--just as we are lucky to have so many musical memories of two of Jan & Dean's Southern Cal buddies, Carl and DW.

Best wishes on a successful site!! Keep me posted with any updates.

Fred Vail

Nashville, TN

For those of you unfamiliar with the name of Fred Vail, following his early introduction to Jan & Dean, he first came into contact with the Beach Boys during 1963 when he promoted a number of concerts around the Southern California region. During the subsequent years he worked closely alongside, and inside the Beach Boys organisation, maintaining a particularly close friendship with Dennis right up until the tragic events of December 1983. He now lives in Nashville, and is heavily involved in country music ... thank you Fred, for sharing your memories with us !