Dead Man's Curve

[Ken]

Dead Man's Curve

Jan and Dean

I was cruising in my Stingray late one night

when an XKE pulled up on the right

and rolled down the window of his shiny new Jag

and challenged me then and there to a drag

I said, "you're on, buddy, my mill's runnin' fine

let's come off the line, now, at Sunset and Vine

I'll go you one better if you've got the nerve

let's race all the way to dead man's curve.

Dead man's curve

Dead man's curve

Won't come back from dead man's curve

The street was deserted late Friday night

we were buggin' each other while we sat out the light

we both popped the clutch when the light turned green

you shoulda heard the whine from my screamin' machine

I flew past LaBrea, Schwab's, and Crescent Heights

and all the Jag could see were my six taillights

he passed me at Doheny then I started to swerve

but I pulled her out and there we were

at Dead man's curve

Well, the last thing I remember, Doc, I started to swerve.

And then I saw the Jag slide into the curve.

I know I'll never forget that horrible sight,

I guess I found out for myself that everyone was right

won't come back from dead man's curve

Dead man's curve, Dead man's curve

Dead man's curve, Dead man's curve

Dead man's curve, Dead man's curve

[Mike]

You know, it's so weird, Jan Berry's accident in April 1966, how it was almost foretold in this song.

April 12, 1966 on Whittier Drive in Beverly Hills, Berry pulled out to pass a slow-moving vehicle and slammed full-speed into a truck that was unexpectedly parked at the curb. The Paramedics that arrived on the scene thought Berry was dead. Checking his vital signs, they found he was alive, and rushed him to the UCLA Hospital. There they found Jan's brain had been severely damaged and even numerous major brain surgeries could not completely repair the damage.. Not expected to live, Berry was in a coma for months and awoke unable walk, speak and was paralyzed on the right side. The name Jan & Dean remained only in the memories and record collections of their many fans for 10 years.

There was also the CBS-TV Movie "Deadman's Curve" which was very successful that aired in 1978 and 1979 which chronicled Berry's valiant fight to regain his ability to function normally.

With a strong will, therapy, and the support of his partner, Dean Torrence, Jan & Dean toured with the Beach Boys in 1978 and 1979.

In 1994 Jan & Dean played Three Rivers Stadium with James Brown to 45,000 fans and after 15 years, reunited with the Beach Boys at Mile High Stadium rocking 55,000 fans.

Jan Berry died March 26, 2004 from complications from a seizure at 62.