Dick Jensen born 9 April 1942

Lance Curtis

Jensen was a native Hawaiian athletic song stylist whose "white hot soul" electrified audiences. He was born in Kalihi, on the island of Oahu. He was of Hawaiian, French, Danish, English and Irish descent. A graduate of Farrington High School, he first used the stage name Lance Curtis. He appeared in shows at the now-defunct Civic Auditorium, fronting dance bands during a lively period in the Honolulu entertainment scene. 

Immersing himself on native Hawaiian sounds and the Pop, Soul, Country and Rock music he heard on radio, it wasn’t long before this Blue-Eyed Soul vocalist began to catch attention across the music world. He was a main showroom calibre draw who filled rooms at the Outrigger Waikiki, the Oceania Floating Restaurant, Hilton Hawaiian Dome, Reef Towers Polynesian Palace and the Hula Hut. Jensen's signature number, a fanciful comic story about the Lone Ranger and Tonto in which Jensen single-handedly created all the voices and sound effects, was always a highlight, and every bit as impressive as his singing, dancing and overall showmanship. 

By 1968, this one-time opening act for the Rolling Stones had become an international performer, signing with Don Costa Productions and began performing at the El Quid in Mexico City. He often divided his career between the islands and Las Vegas, Nevada. Jensen earned the sobriquet "The Giant" because of his tall stature, but he had a talent to match that nickname. His vocal stylings came deep from his Hawaiian soul, as he danced around the stage. 

His potential as a national mainstream recording artist resulted in a contract with Philadelphia International Records, one of the top soul-music labels of the early 1970s. Jensen thus became part of an entertainment roster that included the O'Jays, Billy Paul, the Three Degrees, the Intruders and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.

Jensen was one of the few Hawaii entertainers of any genre to be signed by a national record label during the second half of the 20th century; his self-titled album for Philadelphia International, and a single, "Going Up on the Mountain" with "Three Cheers for Love" on the flip side, are rarities today. 

Some have compared seeing his physicality on stage to watching the seemingly effortless glide of a professional ice skater. In 1970, he was appearing at the Century Plaza in New York City, in his debut of that city. Between 1970 and 1973 he appeared at the Copacabana in New York, aptly being compared to James Brown, the superstar most analogous to Jensen's onstage style. 

He branched out into acting with guest starring roles on popular television shows. In 1982, he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show when it was broadcast from Hawaii. Jensen also recorded a single for Moffatt's Bluewater label, "Honolulu Girls" with "On the Beach" on the flip side, and recorded and released an album, "The Writer," on his own label. Jensen was also one of the featured acts in an early local oldies concert at Blaisdell Center Arena. 

Jensen's career took an unexpected turn in 1981. A 20-year habit of substance abuse - alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and barbiturates ended shortly after he was convicted on nine drug-related felony counts. Jensen got probation and paid a fine, but the publicity surrounding the trial put his career on temporary hold, By 1983, he had become a born again Christian and revived his career. Performing regularly at clubs in Waikiki, he began preaching and evangelizing during the day. 

Jensen received a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars, commemorating his appeal in the gambling capital's showrooms. Longtime friend Engelbert Humperdinck was there to congratulate him. 

(Edited from Wikipedia & Honolulu Star Bulletin)