This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, June 14, 2013: Dean Christopher grew up in the rock and roll era, but the music that captured his heart came from stars of a previous generation. More specifically, Christopher fell in love with the personalities and music of that flamboyant group of entertainers known as the Ratpack – especially Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
“Rock and roll was prevalent on the car radio when I grew up,” says Christopher. “But I gravitated toward the entertainment aspect of music by guys who did it all. I loved their records, movies, TV shows, and their appearances on the Las Vegas stage. I thought they were the coolest!
“And the music was what I loved best! Standards, the Great American songbook, whatever you want to call it, just struck a chord with me and I decided if I were to perform music - of all the styles and genres I've heard in my lifetime - this would be it.”
But as Christopher’s career as a professional entertainer began to blossom, he expanded his range from singing to include comedy, impressions and acting.
He moved to New York to focus on acting, and found roles on stage in “Guys and Dolls,” “Gypsy,” “Barnum” and “Phantom of the Opera, among others. He also appeared on TV soaps such as “All My Children,” “One Life to Live” and “Another World.”
As this was happening, the American public began to rediscover the talents of Sinatra and friends. Christopher turned back to the music he grew up listening to and put together “The Ratpack and More” – adding songs by such stars as Bobby Darin.
Christopher has performed variations on his Ratpack show around the country and on cruises – opening for Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra Jr. and others. He recently released a CD, “Swingin’ with the Best.”
“Somehow in my own small way, I just want to do what I can to keep that era of entertainment and music alive,” Christopher says.
This Sunday, June 16, Dean Christopher will play at the Carondelet Park Concert Series. Here’s some additional background about Dean, his music and his background – straight from the singer himself.
HOME: Proud to call St. Louis home.
AGE: Old enough to know it's none of your business.
INSTRUMENTS: Mine is voice. The band for this concert is keys, bass, drums, two trumpets, sax, trombone.
HOBBY: I can't speak for the musicians. Mine is good wine.
LAST CONCERT ATTENDED: Bob Kuban at Carondelet Park: Free. Tom Jones in LA: Costly.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Had a good bottle of wine.
WHY I DO WHAT I DO: I have no other discernible skills.
QUOTE: Here are a couple…
"If I get big laughs, I'm a comedian. If I get little laughs, I'm a humorist. If I get no laughs, I'm a singer."
George Burns
"Is this any way for a grown man to make a living?"
Dean Christopher
Carondelet Park Concert Series
Sponsored by the Carondelet Community Betterment Federation, this long-running concert series is celebrating its 25th season of presenting free concerts on Sundays in the summer in 2013. To mark the silver anniversary of the series, the 2013 lineup will bring together many of the favorite groups that have played at Carondelet Park over the years.
Concerts take place on the Gazebo Stage by the lake in the Park. If you’re getting there on I-55, take the Loughborough Exit and go west on Loughborough, then into the park. The Dean Christopher concert begins at 6 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. Lawn chairs or blankets are advised, and you may bring coolers with food and your choice of beverages. Future concerts in the series include performances by Fanfare (June 23), Shades of Blue U.S. Air Force Band (July 7), St. Louis Stompers (July 14), Farshid Etniko, (July 21), Abbey Road Warriors (July 28), Mystic Voyage (Aug. 4) Tribute to Elvis, Patsy Cline & Buddy Holly (Aug. 11) and Cornet Chop Suey (Aug. 11). August concerts start at 5:30 pm and go until 7:30 pm. For more information, call 314-289-5300.