A Celebration of Life . . .
an had always hated sad events like funerals and memorials, preferring instead to focus on the
happy things associated with those who had passed. In the spirit of Jan's positive outlook his
widow, Gertie Berry and Al Nassar planned a happy celebration -- and all who
attended made it one hell of a bash.
In setting up for the event, several of us got high trying to blow up 60 beach balls for the evening's festivities. A riot. Gertie and I left to run errands, and returned with an air pump in time to inflate the last ball. Sorry guys . . . at least you got a head start on the evening.
The atmosphere was electric.
As the crowd gathered, band member Randell Kirsch quietly made his way among attendees with a bucketful of multi-colored plastic contraptions. "Grab one of these," Randell said repeatedly. "You're gonna need it later." Jan's name and a little heart was scrawled onto each and every one of them.
Around every neck hung the official credentials for the event -- a large plastic card with a recent color photo of Jan that said simply, "A Celebration of Life." The bar opened up, and the house became lively indeed.
As friends and associates mingled, telling stories and sharing memories, Jan's parents (Bill and Clara Berry) and his siblings spent the evening at a reserved table, surrounded by a constant stream of family and friends. Laughter echoed through the Roxy at all times, as Jan & Dean's original hits played through the sound system -- at just the right volume. Gertie made the rounds, and spoke to as many people as possible. Gertie's sister, Rita, made things easier for everyone over the entire weekend.
Near a wall between the stage and the bar, a life in photos unfolded on-screen. From a baby in his mother's arms, through childhood, to teenager; through fame with Jan & Dean, to recovery and renaissance in the 1970s and 1980s; through Second Wave to the present . . . rare snapshots from Jan Berry's colorful life flipped by in an endless loop.
When the house was full, attention was drawn to the stage as a spry gentleman stepped up to the microphone. "Hello everyone, " he said. "I'm Lloyd Thaxton." The crowd erupted in recognition of Lloyd, who went on to tell a touching story of how Jan had come to his studio during a show (after the accident) . . . just to make sure everyone knew he was doing much better and making new music. Lloyd had proudly made that announcement for Jan; and now Lloyd was here on-stage once again, marveling at how far Jan had come since those days.
A succession of speakers followed.
Jim Pewter spoke of his longtime friendship with Jan, and their songwriting relationship in the
1970s (and recently). Jim marveled at Jan's tenacity after the accident, remembering how Jan
preferred taking a more difficult route into Jim's home (up many stairs), rather than making an
easier entry elsewhere. "Jim, I need the exercise."
Jan-Erik Mustad, a Norwegian relative from Clara's side of the family, told a funny story of
living with Jan at his house after the accident -- and having fun with Jan's female visitors.
"Yes, I am Jan. How may I help you?!" Jan-Erik became tearful in remembrance of Jan, as he
closed his remarks.
Diane Rovell and Ginger Blake, of the Honeys, spoke together. Finishing each other's sentences,
these lovely Rock 'n Roll ladies told stories of working in the studio with Jan & Dean -- and
especially their vocal parts on the hit single "New Girl in School" (1964).
Jan & Dean aficionado Elliot Kendall made an impassioned case for Jan's inclusion in the Rock
'n Roll Hall of Fame -- as a record producer. The crowd heartily concurred.
Attorney Paul Morantz, who published his landmark Jan & Dean article in Rolling Stone in 1974
(the one that led to the TV movie), spoke fondly of his friendship with Jan, and affirmed Jan's
-- and Jan & Dean's -- place in Rock history.
Longtime family friend Jean Stout Burke recalled Jan's "rebellious days" in San Francisco. She
and her husband dutifully guided Jan -- much to the teenager's dismay -- while discreetly
keeping his parents up to date on his every move. When they sent him home under duress, Jan
went right back -- on his own.
Old friend John Venable told stories of growing up with Jan in Bel Air. Never a dull moment,
indeed.
Musician Don Peake spoke of working with Jan in the studio -- both before and after the
accident. Associates like Don -- and others with similar talents -- were special to Jan.
Because with them, Jan could share his love for writing the parts out note-for-note (as he had
before the accident), knowing they would understand him completely. For Jan, this was a
powerful way to bridge the communication gap in the difficult months and years following the
accident.
Finally, a tall familiar-looking fellow stepped nonchalantly up to the mic -- and the crowd
cheered heartily. In remembering his old friend and partner, Dean Torrence chose to focus on
the beginning of his relationship with Jan Berry -- rather than the end. Not surprisingly, it
was Jan's rebellious streak that made an initial and lasting impression on Dean.
After the band made its final preparations Randell Kirsch (who recently lost his own daughter) led a touching prayer for Jan. Amen. He then explained: "Jan had this thing for 'whoopee whistles.' He loved 'em!" Randell reminded us of the little plastic whistles we'd all been carrying around since earlier in the evening (when he'd passed them out). So Randell led us in a lively salute to Jan Berry with our "whoopee whistles." What a racket! It sounded like something out of a Warner Bros. cartoon from the 1930s.
With that . . . the band was ready to play.
The stage was adorned with surf boards at either end, a life preserver, and various posters and paintings showing Jan & Dean at different phases of their career.
The core of the old Jan & Dean band was present. In addition to Dean, Gary Griffin was on keyboards, Phil Bardowell on guitar, Don Raymond on bass, and David Logeman on drums. An all-star line-up of guest musicians also took the stage to jam with the guys.
Diane and Ginger sang on "New Girl in School" and "Be True to Your School." (I kicked my beer
over getting a picture of the Honeys on-stage).
Several old friends from Jan & Dean's days with Papa Doo Run Run and the Bel-Air Bandits took the stage as well, including Don Zirilli, Jim Rush, Crazy Jim Shippey, Mark Ward, and Jim Armstrong. (See photos submitted by Jim)
Other guests included Robby Scharf on bass, Sterling Smith on keyboards, and Chris Farmer (the band's former bass player, now with the Beach Boys Band) on piano. John Cowsill (the band's former drummer), sang and drummed; and Bobby Figueroa, formerly of the Beach Boys Band, also sat in on drums.
Surf Guitar legend Paul Johnson (writer of "Mr.Moto" and other classics) burned it up on
"Pipeline" and accompanied the band in general.
Guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter -- of Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fame -- cut loose with a smoking rendition of Dick Dale's "Miserlou," and backed the band on other tunes.
As the band rocked, the 60 colorful beach balls made their way through the crowd, like corks
bobbing on an ocean of people. Occasionally, they'd fly on-stage and the band would kick them
back into the audience.
Notable attendees included Jan's old friends Nancy Sinatra, actor Bo Svenson, and Brian Bruderlin (brother of James Brolin, who was also a schoolmate and a regular at Jan's garage hangout on Linda Flora Drive in the 1950s).
Jan's former girlfriend and songwriting partner, Jill Gibson, was present; as was Alan Wolfson
(who wrote with Jan Berry and Jim Pewter in the 1970s).
Others with past or present ties to the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean included Jeff Foskett, Matt Jardine, Stephen Kalinich, Alan Boyd, Mark London, David Beard, Ed Roach, Michael "Doc Rock" Kelly, Lori Brown, Domenic Priore, and Cameron Michael Parkes. It was Mark London who designed the special Jan Berry Memorial Postcard that was given to family members and close friends. Additional Jan & Dean friends (and/or message board regulars) in attendance included Warren Frederickson and Shawn Crossen.
Patty Lok, who produced the Jan & Dean episode of A&E's Biography, was also in attendance.
It was a fitting send-off for Jan, and everyone had a blast.
On behalf of Gertie Berry and Jan's entire family, we extend our sincere thanks and
appreciation to Jan's old friend and associate Lou Adler, who provided the venue for this special event. After making his
rounds among the family, Lou monitored the evening's activities from upstairs.
Jan Berry was there that night in spirit, no doubt. But we also found another way to bring Jan to the party with us. Jan's home had been our gathering place over the weekend. There, stories were told, thoughts and memories were shared, and laughter (and a few tears) flowed among our little group.
Having spent part of the weekend sorting and filing more of Jan's things, I decided (on the morning of the bash) that I wanted to take something of Jan's to the party. So I raided Jan's closet, and picked out one of the coolest Hawaiian shirts I could find . . . and wore it to the bash.
Jan's good friend Eric Zoller followed suit, as did Conni Troisi . . . and I saw Eric wipe a tear from his eye as he put on his "Jan" shirt.
But this was indeed a happy occasion . . . as Jan would have wanted . . . with a few authentic Jan Berry artifacts at his own party. Dig that. If Jan had been there, he would have worn one, too. Come to think of it, he would have worn one anywhere.
As the celebration drew to a close, each attendee was given a special gift upon leaving the Roxy -- a copy of the new re-issue of Jan's solo album Second Wave. This version features new cover art, new liner notes, photos, and song lyrics.
A big special thanks to Gertie and Rita, and to Jan's family, (and everyone else involved), who made it a memorable weekend for a lot of people. Jan Berry lives in the hearts and minds of each and every person who was there -- and untold numbers who were not.
Don't be surprised if this becomes an annual event . . .
Mark A. Moore
April 21, 2004
Stay tuned for this summer's issue of Endless Summer Quarterly. It will feature the Jan Berry Celebration, as well as history and retrospectives on Jan Berry and Jan & Dean.
Mark London and Brian Chidester are finalizing the forthcoming issue of The Dumb Angel Gazette, which will feature an article about Jan.
Lots of good stuff in the works . . .
We'll have many more photos from the event to post in the near future, as well as the names of more attendees.
