Dean Webb

Dean Webb (born Michael Eaton; 1940) is an English rock and roll singer, actor, and composer.

Background Webb was born in Portsmouth as Michael Eaton. A short time later the family moved to Reading. He was educated at St. Anne's Roman Catholic School in Caversham. Eaton chose the name "Dean Webb" as his stage name; the name "Dean" likely came from James Dean and "Webb" came from "Harry Webb", the real name of singer Cliff Richard. While there he played a few instruments.

Before he was a professional singer, he worked as an apprentice blacksmith in Reading town centre.

He was also a member of The Kirchin Band.

Under his real name, he was the musical composer for the 1970 film The Wife Swappers.

Webb would then join the Kirchin band. His entry into the band came about as a result of his going to see Rory Blackwell who was an acquaintance of his. Blackwell was the vocalist with the band. After the show had finished, Blackwell informed him he was leaving to pursue a solo career. It was on Blackwell's recommendation and telling them that Webb was a good beat singer that he got the job. Webb joined them in December 1957 and stayed for a year.

Having left the Kirchin band, he returned to Reading with aspirations of being an actor. Webb headed towards London, and got his first job as a dishwasher at The 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho. Between the jobs he would go to club room to perform a few songs. It was there he was spotted by an agent who took him along to a Jack Good Oh Boy! rehearsal. He made two appearances on the show Oh Boy!; one of these performances (from 4th April 1959) survives in the BBC Archives.

According to John Castle of the music trade magazine, Record Mail (in May 1959), Webb talked about his time with the Basil Kirchin Band and how he gained a great deal of experience during the year he stayed with the outfit. That month, Webb had made his solo debut with the release, "Warm Your heart" / "Hey Miss Fannie" which was released on Parlophone. Both sides were orininally recorded by black vocal groups. "Warm Your Heart" was recorded by The Drifters and "Hey, Miss Fannie" was a 1952 hit for The Clovers. In spite of the R&B genre, Webb managed to get his voice and the musical content to come together.

Webb's single, "Streamline Baby" / "The Rough and the Smooth" was released on Parlophone. It was reviewed in the October 10, 1959 issue of Melody Maker, with the reviewer calling it "Two fairly firm rockers with a really jiving beat". The Birmingham Weekly Post said that he had made the news again with the release. The B side was from the film, The Rough and the Smooth, released the same year. It was reviewed in the Movie Music section of Picturegoer, with the reviewer calling it "catchy, but as callous as a sock in the jaw". It was also reviewed in the October 17 issue of Disc. The reviewer Don Nicholl gave it two stars, and said Webb sang what might be classified as another version of "Living Doll". Nicoll also noted that the rhythm backing was by Ken Jones. The B side, "The Rough and the Smooth" had Webb rapping competently, with Jones whipping up the guitar accompaniment.

1960s to 1970s Webb was on the same tour as Eddie Cochran when a car crash killed Cochran in Bath, Somerset in 1960.

In 1970, the film The Wife Swappers was released. It was directed by Stanley Long and Derek Ford. Eaton was the credited composer.

Acting career Webb held a few acting gigs in the early 1960s. He played Mike in the 1962 film Some People. "Streamline Baby" / "The Rough and the Smooth" (from film of same name) - Parlophone 45-R4587 - 1959

Appearances Rockin' Again at the Two Is British Rock & Roll 1955-1960