In the early 1960s, Dick and Dee Dee emerged as a fresh voice in American pop music. Blending doo-wop, R&B, and teen pop, they captured audiences with their unique vocal style and emotional harmonies. Their breakout hit, “The Mountain’s High” climbed all the way to #2 on the Billboard charts in 1961, turning the duo into household names overnight.
Though they had other successful singles, none matched the popularity of their debut. Still, Dick and Dee Dee remained a consistent presence on television, in films, and on tours with major acts like the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones. Their journey from high school acquaintances to pop icons is a classic story of talent, timing, and tenacity.
| Stage Name | Dick and Dee Dee |
|---|---|
| Members | Dick St. John (Richard Gosting, 1944–2003) Dee Dee Sperling (later Dee Dee Phelps, born 1942) |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, Doo-Wop |
| Years Active | 1961–1969 (original duo), 1980s (revival), 2008–present (with Michael Dunn) |
| Labels | Lama, Liberty Records |
| Major Hit | “The Mountain’s High” – US #2 (1961) |
| Associated Acts | The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, Michael Dunn (later duo version) |
How Dick and Dee Dee Met
Dick St. John (Richard Gosting) and Dee Dee Sperling first met in junior high school in Los Angeles. After graduating from different high schools, they crossed paths again and discovered a mutual love for songwriting. They began collaborating, recording demos at home using a simple tape recorder and harmonizing their voices in layered tracks.
Their early experiments eventually caught the attention of Lama Records, where they released a single in 1961 featuring “I Want Someone” backed with “The Mountain’s High.” It was a twist of fate that launched their career—a radio DJ accidentally played the B-side, and listeners responded immediately.
The Meteoric Rise of “The Mountain’s High”
The unexpected airplay gave “The Mountain’s High” a boost in the San Francisco Bay Area. The buzz soon reached Liberty Records, who secured national distribution rights. Within weeks, the song soared to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, only kept from the top spot by Bobby Vee’s “Take Good Care of My Baby.” It also reached #37 in the UK, proving the song’s international appeal.
Written by Dick St. John himself, the song showcased Dee Dee’s distinctive high-pitched vocals and their eerie, echo-driven harmonies. Some listeners even mistook them for a Black R&B act due to their soulful style.
The single sold over one million copies and earned a gold disc. At that point, Dee Dee left college to tour full-time with Dick.
Touring and Television Appearances
Their popularity exploded. Dick and Dee Dee toured throughout the United States and internationally, opening for stars like:
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The Beach Boys
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The Rolling Stones (on their 1964 U.S. debut tour)
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Roy Orbison
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Jackie Wilson
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Ike & Tina Turner
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Dionne Warwick
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Ben E. King
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Patti LaBelle
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The Righteous Brothers
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Sonny and Cher
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Jan and Dean
They became regular performers on television, particularly on American Bandstand and the variety show Shindig! (1964–1966), where they sang both hits and newer tracks. They even appeared in the 1966 beach party film “Wild, Wild Winter.” A rare Scopitone video—an early version of the music video—was filmed at the Santa Monica Pier.
More Singles and Chart Success
Though none of their later songs matched the success of “The Mountain’s High,” the duo enjoyed modest chart success throughout the 1960s. Some of their better-performing singles included:
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“Tell Me” – #22 Pop
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“Young and In Love” – #17 Pop, #6 Adult Contemporary
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“Turn Around” – #27 Pop, #15 AC
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“Thou Shalt Not Steal” – #13 Pop
Most of their songs were written by Dick St. John (sometimes credited as Richard Gosting), either alone or with Dee Dee. Their ability to cross between teen pop, doo-wop, and R&B gave them flexibility in a fast-changing musical landscape.
Collaborations with the Rolling Stones
In 1964, while touring in England, Dick and Dee Dee recorded several songs in London’s Olympic Studios. These sessions were produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, who also managed the Rolling Stones. During these recordings, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards contributed vocals and instrumentation.
Among the tracks were:
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“Blue Turns to Grey”
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“Some Things Just Stick in Your Mind”
These songs were later featured on TV and became “Picks of the Week” on Shindig! Although they didn’t chart nationally, the collaborations remain a unique part of Dick and Dee Dee’s story.
End of the Original Duo
By 1969, after almost a decade together, the original Dick and Dee Dee act came to an end. The two were never romantically involved, though fans often assumed otherwise.
Dee Dee married their manager in 1965, but the marriage ended in the early 1970s. She later remarried and began a quieter life away from music. Dick, on the other hand, continued to work in the entertainment industry and eventually formed a new version of the duo in the 1980s, performing with his wife, Sandy St. John.
On December 27, 2003, Dick St. John passed away at the age of 59 after falling from a ladder at his home in Pacific Palisades, California.
Dee Dee’s Comeback and Memoir
In 2007, Dee Dee Sperling—now Dee Dee Phelps—published her autobiography, Vinyl Highway: Singing as Dick and Dee Dee. The memoir chronicled her time in the music industry and her experiences touring and recording during a dynamic era in American pop music.
Fan interest rekindled. Encouraged by reader feedback, she revived Dick and Dee Dee with actor/singer Michael Dunn in 2008. The two toured together for five years, appearing in doo-wop and oldies shows across the U.S.
In 2015, Dee Dee reunited with Dunn after a brief hiatus and continued to perform in select live concerts. One of their notable performances took place on February 21, 2015, at the Stafford Center for the Performing Arts in Houston during the Ultimate Doo Wop Show.
The Legacy of Dick and Dee Dee
Dick and Dee Dee’s influence goes beyond “The Mountain’s High.” Their ability to blend musical genres reflected the early 1960s spirit of experimentation. They were among the first white American duos to regularly perform R&B-flavored pop and were beloved by fans for their harmonies and sincerity.
Their songs, especially their biggest hit, have been featured in oldies collections and playlists for decades. Their sound helped set the stage for the British Invasion, and their touring with the Rolling Stones and Beach Boys connects them to two of the biggest musical movements of their time.
Final Thoughts
While Dick and Dee Dee may not be as well-remembered as some of their peers, they played an important role in shaping 1960s American pop. Their brief but bright time in the spotlight left behind timeless songs, trailblazing performances, and unforgettable harmonies.
Their story reminds us that success in music isn’t always measured by longevity—it’s about the lasting impression made by a sound, a voice, and a song that still stirs emotion more than half a century later.