Iconic '60s Rocker Celebrates 86th Birthday

Dean Torrance, one-half of the duo behind the hit song "Surf City," marks milestone birthday.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Dean Torrence, one-half of the iconic 1960s musical duo Jan and Dean, celebrated his 86th birthday on Tuesday. Torrence and his partner Jan Berry helped pioneer the California Sound and surf culture with hits like "Surf City," which became the first surf song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963.

Why it matters

Jan and Dean's music defined an era of surf rock and Southern California culture, with "Surf City" becoming an enduring classic. Torrence's legacy extends beyond music, as he helped trademark the nickname "Surf City USA" for Huntington Beach, California, leading to over 90 local businesses using the name.

The details

Torrence and Berry formed Jan and Dean in 1959 while they were high school football players in Los Angeles. The duo worked with famous producers like Herb Alpert and Lou Adler, and had a string of top ten hits in the early 1960s that captured the carefree spirit of surf culture, including "Little Old Lady from Pasadena" and "Dead Man's Curve." "Surf City," co-written by The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, became the first surf song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963 and also crossed over to the R&B chart.

  • Dean Torrence celebrated his 86th birthday on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
  • Jan and Dean were active on-and-off from 1959 to 2004.
  • In 2006, "Surf City USA" became an official trademark registered to Huntington Beach, California.
  • As of 2024, more than 90 businesses in Huntington Beach include "Surf City" as part of their name.

The players

Dean Torrence

One-half of the iconic 1960s musical duo Jan and Dean, known for hits like "Surf City" that helped define the California Sound and surf culture.

Jan Berry

The other half of the Jan and Dean duo, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 62.

Brian Wilson

Co-writer of the hit song "Surf City" for Jan and Dean.

Herb Alpert

Famous producer who worked with Jan and Dean.

Lou Adler

Famous producer who worked with Jan and Dean.

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What’s next

Torrence continues to reside in Huntington Beach, California, which has embraced the "Surf City USA" nickname he helped establish.

The takeaway

Jan and Dean's music and legacy helped define the California Sound and surf culture of the 1960s, with their hit "Surf City" becoming an enduring classic. Torrence's influence extends beyond music, as he played a key role in branding Huntington Beach as "Surf City USA," a nickname now used by over 90 local businesses.