Wally Deane (April 15, 1936 - April 5, 1986) was an American Rock 'n' Roll singer
Wally was born in Washington D.C (1) to John Wallace Deane and Grace Talmedge Van Riper. John Wallace Deane was a reporter for the New York Times, and Washington Post. Grace Deane was a church organ player, medical stenographer, and pianist. Her father George Van Riper was well to do in real estate and his inventions.
Little is known regarding Wally’s early life, but his recording career started when he was discovered in Miami, Florida by Tex Dean, (no relation) a recording artist for Trumpet Records. Tex Dean brought Wally to Lillian McMurray as a new artist, and she really liked his style and musical ability.
She saw Wally as her answer to Sun Records Elvis Presley! Wally recorded three sides which included “Wabash Cannonball” & “I’m Losing You” , but these unfortunately were unissued. He did however sign a contract with Globe records in 1956 and recorded four sides which included “Cool Cool Daddy”.
He then issued a handful of recordings as Wally Dean (dropping the “e”) on the Arctic, Artic and Acadia (2) Record labels until 1962. With his backing band the Flips, Wally played in Halls, Lounge bars and Hotels in Miami Beach such as the Shoremede, Belmar, Cadallac, and many more in the surrounding areas. He was also known as the “Elvis of Miami Beach” .
He died on April 5, 1986,shortly before his 50th birthday. Wally was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2006.
(Edited from the Wally Deane website, Rocky 52 & the Rocknroll schallplatten forum)
(1) Some sources give Bivins, Texas as birthplace
(2) The Arcadia label was based in Canada so this might be a different Wally Dean.