Thread: "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena," .. Goes to HEAVEN !

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LOS ANGELES - Jan Berry, a member of the duo Jan & Dean that had the 1960s surf-music hits "Deadman's Curve" and "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena," has died. He was 62.

Berry had a seizure and stopped breathing Friday at his home. He was pronounced dead that evening at a hospital, said his wife, Gertie Berry.

He had been in poor health recently from the lingering effects of brain damage from a 1966 car crash.

Jan & Dean had a string of hits and 10 gold records in the 1960s with their tales of Southern California. Among them were 1964's "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena," about a hotrod racing grandma, and "Surf City," with its lines about taking the station wagon to a place where there are "two girls for every boy."

With Brian Wilson (news) of the Beach Boys, William Jan Berry co-wrote the lyrics for "Surf City" and "Deadman's Curve," which featured the driving guitar licks and falsetto crooning of the wildly popular surf music.

Berry's hit-making career with high school friend Dean Torrence was cut short in 1966 when Berry's speeding Corvette hit a parked truck and he suffered severe brain damage that left him partially paralyzed and unable to talk.

His recovery was slow, but eventually he was able to resume singing and writing songs.

In addition to his wife, Berry is survived by his parents, William and Clara Berry of Camarillo; three brothers and three sisters.

http://www.jananddean.com

Remember them well. Grew up listeniing to there music. There's along with the Beach Boys were crusing music back in the early to mid 60's.

Couple days late here (havent been on the computer much this week) but just wanted to say its nice that you posted this nitrofc.

I wasnt around for them when they were in the mainstream (i'm 32) but every since i turned about 20 pretty much the only music i listen to is oldies and surfin/car songs...beach boys/jan&dean/ronny&the daytonas/safaris/etc..... and when i heard that he had died it was very saddning.

I remember seeing the movie "deadmans curve" back when i was about 19 and it shows the life story of jan&deans carrer and the accident he had and the "come back". Its worth a look for anyone who enjoyed jan&deans music.

My prayers are with his family.