DEBBIE DEAN & MOTOWN
Debbie
Dean was Motown's first white female solo recording artist, signed by
Berry Gordy. She was born Reba Jeanette Smith on February 1, 1928 in
Corbin, Kentucky. She was the fourth child of Walter B. Smith, a
railroad engineer and his wife, Alma. She recorded as Penny Smith, Debra
Dion, and as Debbie Stevens for ABC Paramount and Roulette Records
before arriving at Motown in the early 1960s.
Unlike most of the early Motown recording artists,
she was neither an R&B or blues singer. Her first single at Motown
was "Don't Let Him Shop Around," an answer record to the
Miracles #1 R&B and #2 pop hit, "Shop Around." It went to
number 39 on the radio charts. She enjoyed the special treatment and
respect. Debbie Dean, her new name chosen by Berry, was treated like a
part of the Motown family.
She continued to make good singles penned by talented
writers. Some say that if Berry had turned her over to Smokey Robinson
to produce, she may have been as great a star as Mary Wells. Motown
began to focus on black female girl groups, grooming and training them.
Berry had begun releasing many singles from the many bands from his
stable of artists. Berry had become smitten, some would say obsessed,
with Diana Ross. He began to focus all his attention on her, pushing
many, often more talented musicians into the background. This made it
hard for Debbie to succeed and many others as well.
In
addition the music and the times were changing. Politically the world of
black artists was changing. These artists had been embraced in Europe as
the racial barriers in music were long gone. The artists finally had a
chance in the limelight Though Debbie possessed the vocal style and
sound of the era, she had one major deficit, she was not black.
Naturally as the American public embraced the "black" sound
they wanted to see black faces.
She was scheduled to tour with the Miracles, Mary
Wells, and Little Stevie Wonder on the first "Motortown Revue"
across America and to Europe. She was thrilled and excited to have the
opportunity to perform for some of her greatest fans. She was pulled at
the last minute, some say because she was white. This dealt Debbie a
tremendous blow. As one of the first Motown artists whose sound helped
define the "Motown" sound she felt betrayed at being left
behind.
She moved to LA while stilled signed with Motown and
began performing in small clubs and showcases. At the age of 34,
significantly older than most Motown acts at the time, she was dropped
from the label.
From
1963 through 1965 she recorded with Sue Records where she cut a single
as Debra Dion and continued to perform in clubs. In 1965 Debbie met
Dennis Lussier, aka Deke Richards, at a concert where his band, Deke and
the Deakons was opening for Ike & Tina Turner. Deke and Debbie felt
an immediate attraction. They became enthralled with each other, each
one’s personality, passion and talent. She told him that very night
that she felt he would succeed beyond his wildest dreams. He began to
produce records and gave her the opportunity to record a single written
by Ike and Tina Turner and produced by Deke.
In late 1966 she went to see Berry Gordy who was
producing a concert in LA in hopes of introducing Deke to him. She
introduced him to Berry Gordy who promptly signed both of them to write
for Motown. Debbie was thrilled to be considered a writer and began a
new career.
She released one single of her own, produced by Deke
in 1966 on VIP Records, one of Berry Gordy’s many labels. Deke became
part of the Corporation, a writing team consisting of Deke, Smokey
Robinson, Berry Gordy and a few others. Deke and Debbie were responsible
for writing hits for The Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The
Temptations and the Jackson 5.
She also pursued an acting career and met a director,
Arthur Dreiffus who was making teen pictures at the time. She became a
featured player in several movies including pictures "Hold
On", "Hot Rods to Hell" and "The Fastest Guitar
Alive" featuring Roy Orbison, directed by a young Michael Moore.
She was also featured in "The Love-Ins" & "A Time to
Sing" for MGM.
At
Warner Bros. under contract she appeared in "An American
Dream" and "Hotel", and in "For Singles Only"
with Screen Gems. She never got any major roles but enjoyed the work,
the people and the lifestyle.
She continued to write with Deke through 1969,
although their relationship was a stormy one that often led to
arguments. She soon became ill with several illnesses, both real and
imagined. Emotionally she had become so disheartened that she had lost
her will to write and sing.
Debbie Dean, Rebe Jeanette Smith, Debbie Stevens or
Debra Dion, had chosen a challenging career and gave up a stable secure
life to pursue her dreams. Even with her tremendous talents, the journey
was full of difficulties and of tremendous accomplishments. She died
February 17, 2001, in Ojai, CA at the age of 73. A memorial service was
held April 22, 2001, at the Pine Hill Cemetery in Corbin, KY. |