Dee Dee Phelps

Readers Remember Dick and Dee Dee

Sep 13th, 2007 by deedee

I”m getting wonderful comments from folks from YouTube and also on the Dick and Dee Dee website, sharing their memories of certain events involving Dick and Dee Dee. If you have personal memoires you want to share, please post them. We all love to hear great stories!

Dee Dee

Posted in I Remember Dick and Dee Dee | 22 Comments

22 Responses to “Readers Remember Dick and Dee Dee”

on 13 Sep 2007 at 3:16 pm1Bob Walker

> Wow, Dee Dee, you still look as great as you did on the beach stage at
> WTIX Night at Pontchartrain Beach in 1961, when I was a spectator of
> 15 in the crowd, and before I started by 41 year radio career (mostly
> at
> WTIX) in 1965.
>
> I have the promo of that show on my site at http://www.walkerpub.com
> … scroll down to the New Orleans Radio Shrine link on the bottom of
> the page to go to the promo.
>
> And…Bob Robin from WTIX said to tell you hi. He has some pics from
> that night that he will be giving me to put on the site in the next
> few weeks.
>
> Really nice to see your pics here on your site.
>
> Best wishes,
> Bob Walker
on 13 Sep 2007 at 3:18 pm2Dee Dee

> Hi Bob:
> I think that crowd at New Orleans was the largest crowd Dick and I
> ever played for. I believe it was over 100,000 people. From the stage,
> it stretched as far as the eye could see in every direction. I would
> love copies of photos from the show. Although the chapter on New
> Orleans was among those cut from my book, Vinyl Highway, Singing as
> Dick and Dee Dee, I would like to write about that night in the blog
> (http://blog.dickanddeedee.com)
> I’m so glad you contacted me. Please say hello to Bob Robin. Best
> Wishes, Dee Dee Phelps
on 13 Sep 2007 at 3:19 pm3Bob Walker

Hi Dee Dee,

Wow, it’s great that you remember WTIX Night At Pontchartrain Beach in 1961. Tony Orlando was on that same show as you and I did a MC gig with him this past Mardi Gras season in February, though we go way back to his Candida days. Anyway, he said the same thing about the crowd as you, and went crazy when I gave him the WTIX promo of that show on CD. I’m amazed at the memories you guys have. Dean Torrence told me the same thing about their appearance there in ‘63.

Ironically, I told Tony to listen to the end of the announced lineup on the promo, and it says “along with Mac Rebennack and his band.” I asked Tony, do you know who Mac Rebennack went on to be? He had no idea.

Dr. John.

So, Dr. John backed you both in that memorable concert evening.

I will tell Bob Robin hi for you. Among others, he has a pic of you kissing his (at that time) *bald head* on the night of that show.

Anyway, when Bob and I have lunch and delicious roast beef po-boys on August 11, I’ll get the pics of you from him and I’ll make sure you get to see them as soon as they’re posted.

By the way, “Tell Me” is one of my all time favorites…but it wrenched my heart in the summer of ‘62 when I was going thru the breakup of my first love…and I was on the short end of that stick. I still get those feelings
when I hear it today, though she’s old and ugly today!

On the other hand “Turn Around” has been played poignantly at the weddings of my children. That song tugs at the heart of all parents, and it’s really
*your* song.

We radio people, and you singers, never quite know the effect we have on those we have performed for…but your songs have meant the world to me.

Best wishes,
Bob Walker
on 13 Sep 2007 at 3:22 pm4Chris Darrow

Dee Dee,

Just spoke with Kim Fowley and he gave me your Email. Thought you would be interested in hearing a version of Thou Shalt Not Steal that we recorded recently and released. My partner, Robb Strandlund and I did an entire “duets” record of mostly covers to show our duet mentality. Robb and I have been singing together for over 30 years and discovered we had a familial tone in the mixture of our voices. Hope you like it. I am sending you a Mp3 of the rendition. Will also include some links for you to follow to find out about us. I have now been in the recording business for over 40 years and am still at it.

Glad to see you are back,
Love,
Chris

All Music Guide
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:oe6omp939f3o~T00
on 13 Sep 2007 at 3:37 pm5Jeff Christensen

Hi Dee Dee,
Congratulation on your book, Vinyl Highway, I’m definitely going to order a copy. I learned about the book in a round about way and I’d like to tell you about our crossing paths way back when. Back in the day.
It started with a google search of “The Mountain’s High” and I clicked on a songfacts.com web site. I read the following: “This was the first in a long list of hit singles recorded in Armin Steiner’s homegrown garage studio in Formosa Street, Los Angeles”.
So then I googled “Armin Steiner” and came up with an article from mixonline.com dated May 1, 2001 and it had a pretty complete Armin Steiner biography. The article confirmed that Steiner had recorded “Mountain…” at his garage studio. Now for the rest of my story.
It was probably 1961 or 1962 when Dick and Dee Dee made a trip to Fresno to play for KMAK radio at their Friday night teenage dance club, The Stingray Club at the Marigold Ballroom. The house band was Jim Waller and The Deltas and I was the drummer. We played every Friday night and backed up all the recording artist that KMAK would book for the one night gig.
We prided ourselves in knowing all the tunes of whoever was booked. We would get copies of all the artists’ records from the radio station and learn the tunes. When the talent would show up for a Friday afternoon rehearsal they would often offer sheet music for their tunes and arrangements. We would say “we already know your music” and then impress them with our initiative and ability.
This is what happened when Dick and Dee Dee showed up one Friday afternoon with sheet music in hand for “The Mountain’s High”. We were able to play the song perfectly with the distinct drum beat. I guess you liked our playing because you invited us to LA for recording session with you. And it was at a garage studio.
Now you can see why I was interested in finding the above info on Armin Steiner’s homegrown garage studio. Do you remember anything about this and was this the studio where you brought us to record? The only tune I can remember recording was maybe “Let The Good Times Roll”, it was a long time ago.
By the way, I was crushed when we showed up for the session and there was already a drummer there. I thought, oh well, so much for pulling off “The Mountain’s High” drum lick perfectly. I still look forward to reading your book and re-living those times. :~)
Best Regards,
Jeff Christensen
Email: JACnet@comcast.net
on 16 Sep 2007 at 7:13 pm6Mike Cook

Hi!
I am so excited to find your website!
I have loved Dick and Dee Dee since I was 11 years old, and I heard you guys for the first time! I have every record you made, and I still get chills whenever I hear The Mountain’s High and tears in my eyes when I listen to Tell Me! I watched you on Shindig constantly…I’m looking for old show videos so I can re-live those wonderful moments. I never got to see you perform live, and I always regretted that. You have and will always be my favorite singing duo. I am ordering your book and CD so that I can listen to you guys at work and in my car!
Thanks so much for being such an important part of my life!
Sincerely,
Mike Cook
Philadelphia, Pa.
on 19 Sep 2007 at 5:24 pm7John Sheumaker

Thank you, thank you. In 1966-67 serving in Viet Nam at a moutain firebase in Viet Nam someone got a 45 of The Mountain’s High and we played it so much it sounded like eggs frying on the drum cymbals. That song kept us going and helped a lot of us make it home.
on 19 Sep 2007 at 7:20 pm8deedee

Hi John:
Your blog comment touched my heart. Our songs, the songs of Dick and Dee Dee, contributed to the sound tracks of so many people’s lives. I’ll always be grateful for that experience. But your statement that The Mountain’s High to provided inspiration to keep you and your friends going in rough times and to keep your alive and safe so you could return home is an amazing compliment. I am humbled by it. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Dee Dee
on 19 Sep 2007 at 7:27 pm9Anonymous
on 19 Sep 2007 at 8:38 pm10Joel "Spanky" Schooler

Miss Dee Dee,
I recently sent for your book and read it. Thanks for the autographed picture, by the way. I was really interested in the section about your experience in the diner in Texas. Wow!
I spent my early years in Detroit, Michigan. 1960 through 1973. I then went to Brussels, Belgium in 1973 and graduated from high school in 1975. I was never exposed to racism openly. So I have nothing to compare it to. I live in Houston, Texas now and work as a Police Officer. I see racism now though.
I cannot even imagine the courage it took for you to go with your friends into the “colored” section. I can’t even relate to that type of hostile discrimination. I think you have got to be one of the bravest women in history. I sure do hope your friends understood why you did what you did and were not angry with you.
I do remember seeing you and your partner on the television. You were on that show Shindig. I watched your videos on your site and I do recall seeing the ‘Batman’ skit when I was young.
Thanks for all of the cool music and the book is excellent. I did kind of feel bad that your partner seemed to be mean and dismissing towards you at times. I am glad you are married and have so many family members.
Have a great life and keep singing. Just remember this; “Rock ‘n’ Roll never dies, it just gets recycled in cover versions.”

Joel “Spanky” Schooler
Houston Police Department Bike Patrol Officer
Husband and Father of seven (4 boys and 3 girls)
on 19 Sep 2007 at 9:17 pm11Skipp

DeeDee,
about 40 or so years ago in jacksonville, Fl. you and Dick were part of a concert. I think Bobby Goldsborogh and the Crickets were, also, there. The drummer for the Crickets was hospitalized for a collapsed lung. Somehow, you and Dick ended up at our home. Dick (I thinK) played the piano…you sang…..mama cooked dinner….it was a Sunday afternoon. My cousin, peaches was there as well. it was a day I would never forget. Perhaps, you share that memory???
on 20 Sep 2007 at 2:51 pm12Dee Dee Phelps

Hi Skipp:
I want so much to remember that wonderful evening, but to be honest I’m unable to do so. Most of the time memory serves me well but sometimes, well….
I’m glad you were able to share that evening with us.
Best Wishes,
Dee Dee
on 20 Sep 2007 at 10:52 pm13Jeff Armstrong

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
on 25 Sep 2007 at 1:06 am14rennie g.

dear Dee Dee,
well,today i got a treat -i do air conditioning repair around the whittier area and a customer has a ’70’s era Rock-ola-i told him about how ‘mountain’is actually the b-side-so i got to hear the a-side on his jukebox–i’m also a speed reader so i was able to see the writing credit as the record spun–i also told him about ‘vinyl highway’;now it’s MY turn to get a copy—and am i (as you said in your youtube response)really the only person in the world who remembers’bupkis’??
regards,renos
on 25 Sep 2007 at 3:22 pm15deedee

Rennie:
You probably are the only person who rememberse the song “Bupkis” (except for the writers of the song). Enjoy Vinyl Highway.
Dee Dee
on 19 Oct 2007 at 3:45 pm16deedee

Dee Dee:
I recently heard one of your songs on the radio and wondered what had become of Dick and DeeDee. I found your website and was glad to hear that you are doing well. Also, sorry to hear about Dick.
I am writing now to let you know what your songs meant to a lot of guys like me 40 years ago. I guess turning 60 this year has made me reflect on many things in my life.
I was sent to Vietnam as a Combat Medic in August of 1967. I was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division.We were in the boonies the whole year that I was there. One of the guys in my platoon, Marvin, had a cassette player which we would use to listen to tapes from home when we got them.He also had a tape containing several songs which were popular at the time. ” Thou Shalt Not Steal “and “The Mountain’s High” were two of the songs on that tape.We took turns listening to it with an earpiece, sometimes even on guard duty at nite.When Marvin’s tour was up in October he gave me the tape and player, just as it had been passed on to him a few months earlier. I was wounded a month later and spent 6 weeks in the hospital, but when I came back to my unit, one of the guys gave me the player and tape back. I listened to it often and I know I am speaking for all the guys in my platoon when I tell you how it helped to take our minds off where we were and what we were doing. Your music was unique at that time and I always tried to picture you singing in that beautiful high voice, not realizing until now that it was Dick.
I passed the player and tape on when I returned to the States, and I’m sure that it continued to help others thru the hard times.The funny thing is that, although there were 5 or 6 more songs on that tape, your songs are the only two that I now can positively remember.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings,
Doug “Doc” Dettman
on 19 Oct 2007 at 3:47 pm17deedee

HI Doug:
Thank you for your message. I am so happy that the music of Dick and I helped some of the guys take their minds off the stress of living in danger and serving during times of war. To help people through hard times is the ultimate goal of life and to have been a part of that is humbling. I so appreciate you sharing your memories.
Dee Dee Phelps
on 26 Oct 2007 at 8:12 pm18Glenda Underwood

Dear Dee Dee, I just love you and your incredible contribution to the World and The World Of Music! When I was younger I just listened to your music and found Peace and Tranquility. I came from an abusive childhood and your music was my escape! When My Youngest Child (Son) was murdered in 1991 I once again found a sense of Peace. “Turn Around” was a Song for My Son! I don’t have the tape anymore as it was stolen but I will purchase the CD soon! I just wanted you to know how much I Thank You for being who you are! With Great Respect…….Glenda
on 03 Feb 2008 at 4:50 am19Duke & Banner

Thought you’d like to know that Don Ralke (produced and arranged most all of Dick&Dee Dee’s records) retired up here in wine country.

We were on a small AM station late night, and happened to play Ralke’s instrumental song “77 Sunset Strip.”

This brought a call from (I think it was his sister) relaying a request to hear “Tell Me” and “The Mountain’s High.”

He died soon thereafter, but the family (who invited us to the funeral) said he died with a smile on his face, knowing that there was someone out there who still played his work.

Just recently we ran across “The Gift.” Boy, what a song you guys put together!
on 13 Feb 2008 at 6:12 pm20Ron Johnson

Hi DeeDee,
I was going through some old records a while ago to put them on digital and to put on my ipod. I ran across Dick and DeeDee songs and since the pair of you were were my favorite duo. I thought I would see if you happened to be on the internet and to my joy I found Dick and DeeDee. com. I can’t tell you how glad I was to see you are still active and enjoying life. I was saddened to see Dick had passed away. The sixty’s were the greatest time of my life but it’s good to see several of the pop stars of that era are still going strong. Unfortunately we’re all gettin’ a tad older but I’ve enjoyed my life and listening to to ALL the artist (remember you’re still the favorite) of that time and remembering how great it was.
Thank You for the memories.
Ron Johnson
Aledo, Texas
on 10 May 2008 at 10:13 pm21Liss

Hey, Dick and Dee Dee! One more time!

Hi Dee Dee,

It’s a thrill to stumble across your web site. Waaay back when I was a little girl, Wild Wild Winter seemed to be shown on tv a lot. The one thing I remember most about it is holding my blue Take-n-Tape audio cassette recorder up to the tv to tape you singing Heartbeats. The tape disentegrated many years ago, but for decades now I haven’t been able to get that song out of my head. It comes to me at odd times.

Whenever it pops into my head, it always makes me smile and gives me a good feeling. I was trying to find either the movie or the soundtrack on a Google search and that’s where I found the video on You Tube which lead me here.

Thank you so much for a wonderful memory. Now it’s stuck in my head again!
on 12 Dec 2008 at 6:41 pm22Dennis

Just dug out my old 45’s and found 3 songs that I loved years ago and still love today. I Want Someone, Young and In Love and Turn Around. I find I’m listening to them almost everyday. Tears in my eyes as I rememer listening to them in the 60’s. Thank You for the gift of music you gave me.

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Readers Remember Dick and Dee Dee

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