The Beach Boys' David Marks and Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean are headlining the Legends of Surf Music concert, being staged by the Mississauga Firefighters Association to raise money for local charities. Marks and Torrence will be backed up by the Surf City Allstars and special guests, Backbeat, open the show.
Jan & Dean had a string of hit songs, including Surf City, Dead Man’s Curve and The Little Old Lady From Pasadena. In the 1950s and early 1960s, the duo helped introduce thousands of young fans worldwide to Southern California’s unique culture.
In 2004, Jan Berry died suddenly. Torrence has continued performing.
Just as the duo’s career was picking up steam, in 1966, Berry was involved in a car crash that left him with serious injuries from which he never fully recovered. Prior to the crash, the twosome had released 10 Top-30 hits.
Torrence released a solo album in 1966, the psychedelic-pop laden Save For A Rainy Day. However, he previously told The News that he prefers to sing the hits when he performs live.
“Our show isn’t some discography lesson," he said. "We’re a jukebox. People put quarters in and we sing the hits they want to hear."
The Beach Boys formed in 1961 in California, with Marks joining the band a short time later. Throughout their career, The Beach Boys had 36 Top-40 hits in the United States and four No. 1 singles.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Some of the group's seminal songs include Good Vibrations, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, I Get Around, Help Me Rhonda and Surfin’ U.S.A.
The Surf City Allstars have toured extensively with both The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean.
Show time this Friday is 8 p.m.
Tickets cost $42 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Hershey Centre box office.
cclay@mississauga.net
