Singing Live as Dick and Dee Dee in 2008
Jan 9th, 2008 by deedee
Happy 2008!
After appearing during the meet-and-greet at the Las Vegas Doo Wop weekend conference in November, 2007, I’ve been reliving the wonderful moments of talking to so many diverse and wonderful Dick and Dee Dee fans, who told me that our music was the sound track of their lives. One man mentioned how our music helped him make it through his Viet Nam experience; several people mentioned that they played “Turn Around” at their adult children’s wedding. One man said it was played for his father/daughter dance.
The beautiful comments touched my heart. I realized how much music brings back memories of our youth and what joy it adds to our lives. I finally came to a decision to sing as Dick and Dee Dee again, as a gift to those that remember the songs and those that want to hear them for the first time.
When I mentioned my decision over the phone to my friend, Lou Christie, he helped me brainstorm some ways to find a replacement for Dick St. John (who, as most of you know, passed away in 2003). This was no easy job, as Dick had a four octave range and a raise-the-roof falsetto. Lou also introduced me to the Mamas and Papa’s arranger, who is going play keyboard and rehearse the bands for the new Dick and Dee Dee.
Finally, we were going to hold auditions for a male singer in Los Angeles. But several people recommended I talk to a long time friend of mine, Michael Dunn, and consider getting together with him to see if this might work before holding the auditions.
I talked to Michael about the project, gave him a CD and recently worked with him to see if our voices blended. I was thrilled that Michael’s vocal range (a beautiful tenor voice) works perfectly in the key the songs were originally sung and that he can handle the falsetto parts as well. Michael is a trained singer/actor who has appeared in off Broadway productions and who performs one man shows in the Los Angeles area (over the holidays he starred in A Christmas Carol, where he played all the roles!).
Hopefully, you’ll see us singing soon on the public television doo wop shows and at theatres in your area. When we get rehearsals completed, we will be posting a touring schedule on the Dick and Dee Dee site.
Thanks to all who have encouraged me to sing again as Dick and Dee Dee. The songs are a joy to sing and we so look forward to performing the Dick and Dee Dee hits in 2008.
WOW! WOW! WOW!!!!!!!!!
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS, DEE DEE!!!!! This is un-believable! CONGRATULATIONS to you and Michael….WOW!!!!! I am SO looking forward to seeing you perform again, either on TV or in person. YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!! You’re never too old to rock & roll!!!!!!!!!
Wait till I tell Lloyd (Thaxton)!!!!!!!
WOO HOO!!!!!!
Well its about time!!!!!!! ha ha That is fabulous Dee Dee. You have no idea how happy this makes all your fans. The best of luck to you and Michael. Your book Vinyl highway took many of us back to our days growing up, a time of innocence and fun. Now, to do this will make it so very special. MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW WHEN YOUR FIRST APPEARANCE IS SO WE CAN MAKE OUR TRAVEL PLANS. What a great New Year!!!!
Thank you
Jeff
Hello Dee Dee, we are so happy for you that this is going to happen this year! Congratulations!
We have been long time fans of Dick & DeeDee and the great hits you have had really touch our lives. Thank you again and all the best!
Sincerely, Earl and Kristi
I was looking for some photos of the Goodie Goodie drive in and lo and behold…..what a Great website I found. Overwelming to me. I lost my high school sweetheart when I went to war back in 64′. 32 years of listening and reminessing to your music and so many other songs, my hi school sweetheart found me on yahoo. She was living in Hawaii, I was flying cargo in Africa. Took us another 2 years of letter writing & expensive phone calls before we were to see one another again. We met in New Orleans 10 years ago. Lynns’ taking a nap here in our home on the Big Island of Hawaii, I know she’ll love your web site when she wakes up. Thanks so very much, Leo & Lynn “Samohi”
I am happy I just found some websites & listened to the old recordings. I had nearly all the Dick & Dee Dee albums, but do not know where they are any more with all the moving (I’ve lived in 9 states & another country since adulthood). I wish I had known about all the public appearances for your book & right in our area ! I will watch for your singing with Mike.