Biography
Born Reba Jeanette Smith on February 1, 1928, in the modest Kentucky community of Corbin, Debbie Dean maintained an extended yet modestly rewarded recording career. Early sessions appeared under the names Penny Smith, Debra Dion, and Debbie Stevens on ABC Paramount in 1959 and Roulette Records. Berry Gordy recruited her in 1960 as the first white performer attached to any of his developing imprints. Her bow as Debbie Dean occurred with the August 25, 1961, pairing “Itty Bitty Pity Love” and “But I’m Afraid,” but Motown quickly shelved the disc to rush out an answer to the Miracles’ “Shop Around” titled “Don’t Let Him Shop Around” on September 25, 1961; Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, and Gordy’s sister Loucye Wakefield supplied the song, which vanished without notice. A March 11, 1962, follow-up coupling “Everybody’s Talking About Me” with “I Cried All Night” met the same fate, after which the label—then cultivating its Sound of Young America image—lost interest in the thirty-four-year-old singer.
Dean moved to California and pursued further openings by visiting clubs, entering talent contests and showcases, and sampling acting work. Most patrons remained unaware of her Motown past and simply regarded her as another vocalist seeking a break. Headliners Ike & Tina Turner at several of these venues may have helped her secure a one-time arrangement with Sue Records. As Debra Dion she released “Don’t Bug Me Baby” backed by “I Want to Know If Your Love Is Real” in 1964; it failed to chart. Two years later, again as Debra Dion, she issued “Take My Hand” on Treva Records, yet the single attracted no buyers.
While auditioning for a showcase at a California club she met Deke Richards of the Clan and the Corporation, who was appearing there with his band Deke & the Deacons and often opened for Ike & Tina Turner. Richards had lately joined Motown as artist, producer, and writer. After hearing her perform, the pair spoke; Dean recounted her earlier Motown tenure, startling Richards, who was still exhilarated by his own new association with the company. With Richards’ assistance she reestablished ties to the label, and together they wrote several songs, most prominently “I Can’t Dance to That Music You’re Playing” for Martha & the Vandellas, “Honey Bee” for the Supremes, and “Why Did You Leave Me” for the Temptations. Betty Boo later scored a hit by combining “I Can’t Dance…” with “Hey DJ.”
Under Richards’ supervision, Dean cut fresh material as Debbie Dean; only one single emerged—“Stay My Love” backed with “Why Am I Loving You” on VIP—while a planned follow-up, “You Asked Me,” was readied then canceled. She remained a lifelong California resident and stayed at the periphery of music until her death on February 17, 2001, in Ojai. A memorial service was conducted April 22, 2001, at Pine Hill Cemetery in Corbin, KY.
Dean moved to California and pursued further openings by visiting clubs, entering talent contests and showcases, and sampling acting work. Most patrons remained unaware of her Motown past and simply regarded her as another vocalist seeking a break. Headliners Ike & Tina Turner at several of these venues may have helped her secure a one-time arrangement with Sue Records. As Debra Dion she released “Don’t Bug Me Baby” backed by “I Want to Know If Your Love Is Real” in 1964; it failed to chart. Two years later, again as Debra Dion, she issued “Take My Hand” on Treva Records, yet the single attracted no buyers.
While auditioning for a showcase at a California club she met Deke Richards of the Clan and the Corporation, who was appearing there with his band Deke & the Deacons and often opened for Ike & Tina Turner. Richards had lately joined Motown as artist, producer, and writer. After hearing her perform, the pair spoke; Dean recounted her earlier Motown tenure, startling Richards, who was still exhilarated by his own new association with the company. With Richards’ assistance she reestablished ties to the label, and together they wrote several songs, most prominently “I Can’t Dance to That Music You’re Playing” for Martha & the Vandellas, “Honey Bee” for the Supremes, and “Why Did You Leave Me” for the Temptations. Betty Boo later scored a hit by combining “I Can’t Dance…” with “Hey DJ.”
Under Richards’ supervision, Dean cut fresh material as Debbie Dean; only one single emerged—“Stay My Love” backed with “Why Am I Loving You” on VIP—while a planned follow-up, “You Asked Me,” was readied then canceled. She remained a lifelong California resident and stayed at the periphery of music until her death on February 17, 2001, in Ojai. A memorial service was conducted April 22, 2001, at Pine Hill Cemetery in Corbin, KY.
Albums