What is Your Book, Vinyl Highway, Singing as Dick and Dee Dee, about?
Jun 21st, 2007 by deedee
Check out what the back cover of the book says:
VINYL HIGHWAY goes on tour across the 1960’s with this honest, insightful and humorous chronicle of destiny and rock-and-roll, as 18 year old Mary Sperling transforms from shy college student to hit singer/songwriter, half the singing team DICK AND DEE DEE, one of the most popular recording duos of the era.
But with success comes increasingly rigorous touring, pressure to adapt to the changing music scene…and growing tensions between the two. VINYL HIGHWAY illuminates the dark side of fame and offers hope and light for the future with never-before-told tales of:
- Performing with DICK CLARK, THE ROLLING STONES, THE BEACH BOYS, TINA TURNER and many other notable recording artists
- Dee Dee’s role in creating five Billboard gold records: The Mountain’s High, Tell Me, Young and In Love, Turn Around, and Thou Shalt Not Steal
- Life as semi-regulars on the ABC show, SHINDIG
“It (Vinyl Highway) brought back many fond memories. I wish Dee Dee much good luck with it.” -Dick Clark
“I cannot tell you how much I’m enjoying Vinyl Highway. The writing style is captivating and the stories are fascinating. I’m especiallyl emjoying the memories of Shindig and Sharon. Hearing those memories from Dee Dee’s point of view is great, since I lived some of the same memories.”-Jimmy O’Nelll, host of ABC’s Shindig
Check out: dickanddeedee.com for book information, The Best of Dick and Dee Dee CD, Vintage videos, radio broadcasts and an excerpt from Vinyl Highway. Also, if you’ve read Vinyl Highway, we welcome your comments on the dickanddeedee blog.
Dear Dee Dee:
I read your book from cover to cover. It was given to me by my good friend and Pacific Palisades resident Darryl_____. Darryl knows that I love Dick and Dee Dee records.
I am a songwriter. I have written many hit songs, including, “Like a Virgin,” “True Colors,” “Eternal Flame,” “I Touch Myself,” “I’ll Stand By You,” “So Emotional,” “I Drove All Night,” and 2006’s “Too Little Too Late.” So I read your story with great interest and from a music industry insider’s perspective.
I grew up in Palm Springs. I was 11 years old when “The Mountain’s High,” was released. It was summertime and my parents had rented a house in Malibu Colony to escape the desert heat. That summer “The Mountain’s High” ruled the airwaves. It remains one of my all time favorite records.
I wish you had said more in your book about how the track and the vocals were recorded. You said that you contributed some of the lyrics, but wern’t credited. That’s sad. I like the lines, “I was a lonely soul, Until you became my goal.” At least, that’s what I think it says!
I have always felt that the “in between period,” after the first wave of rockers like Elvis and Chuck Berry, and before the Beatles, has been undervalued.
I also wish you had said more in your book about some of the artists you encountered, like Gene Pitney. I worked with Roy Orbison, who was one of my childhood heros. He was a true gentleman, with an otherworldly voice.
I was interested in your writing about Sharon Sheely, because “Poor Little Fool” was my first favorite song when I was eight! I was also riveted by your well-detailed description of the tour of Texas with Gary U.S. Bonds. The injustices of that time were appalling. Not that human nature or human kindness has evolved that much since, unfortunately. Thank you for your book. I truly enjoyed it.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dee Dee twice on my “Class Reunion,” radio show. What a wonderful lady and great talent. Her book, Vinyl Highway, triggered many memories for me of growing up in the 50’s and 60’s.
Yesterday we had constant rain here in Florida so I was unable to check my mail. This morning I opened up the mailbox and found your book and cd waiting for me. I felt like a young kid at Christmas again as I opened it. Dee Dee, thank you so very much for personalizing the book and photo for me. I have been listening to your cd and will start reading your book later this morning.
I believe I mentioned before I had spent 30 year in Law Enforcement. During that time I spent many years working undercover and had the opportunity to spend time personally escorting 3 different Presidents, been on Air Force One etc. as well as escorting other dignitaries. Although it was very interesting , it was an assignment. Corresponding with you via email and receiving your signed book, photo and cd was a bigger thrill than being with Presidents. I guess it was because,when I was young and listening to yours and Dicks music, I could relate to it more as you sang about love and relationships which we all went through during our teen years. You mentioned in the beginning of your book about why revisit the past in the form of a book. In 1995 we lost our youngest son Jesse in a car accident. Needless to say that changed our entire outlook on life and what was important. My wife and I were both eligible for retirement so we opted to retire in 1999. People said we were too young. Yes, we were still young at 51, however they didn’t understand we were not retiring from life, only our professions. It was more important to be near our other son and his wife. We have had 8 wonderful years of retirement and are pursuing interests we didn’t have time to do before. I guess what I am trying to say is that is ok to revisit the past and enjoy the memories of the some good times but at the same time continue to move forward. Today will be our great memories tomorrow. Dee Dee,by writing your memoirs you are allowing us to to revisit a time which was a time of innocence and sharing a part of your life that was very special to you. For this, I thank you so very very much. I hope that someday you will decide to perform again or promote your book down this way. You have a special gift and again, thank you for sharing it with us.
I just realized I have been rambling on and on. I’m usually not this talkative. I do appreciate your time and patience. Well, off the read Vinyl Highways. Take care and be safe.
Bye for now
Jeff Armstrong
Florida