Editor's Note: I would like to thank Mr Rick Martinez for supplying biographical information as
well as his inspiration in the music field.
Singer-songwriter Rick Martinez was born in Denver, Colorado, the youngest of eleven siblings.
He attended Scottsbluff High School in Nebraska. There he started a band called Ricky and theGlow-rites..
In 1961, Rick moved to Sacramento, California and attended Norte Del Rio High School. After graduation he attended college at American River College for two years.
Rick made many trips to Hollywood with songs he had written to audition for record companies..
Pal Records in North Hollywood liked his material. The record label was owned by the great Paul Buff who became Rick's producer and manager.
Paul Buff released "Little Girl" and "Blue Tears" on his Emmy label. As with many artists with Latino artists after Ritchie Valens that wanted to break into the English-speaking market, songs were recorded under other names. Rick Martinez became professionally known as Ricky Dean. The record was released in August 1962..
This record is currently on my want-list.
Paul knew Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records who also liked Rick's songs. Keane re-released both songs
on the Del-Fi label in November 1962. Keane added female backing vocals to the records.
Bob Keane being the entrepreneur that he was decided to re-release "Blue Tears" as the A
side of a record and used a song Rick wrote with Paul Buff as the B-side "Little Betty Limbo"
in 1963. "Little Betty Limbo" was demoed at Pal Studios but the final version was recorded
at Radio Recorders.
Both songs "Little Girl" and "Blue Tears" made Billboiard Magazine and got lots of airplay in 1963.
Ricky was now on the same label with Johnny Crawford, Bobby Curtola, The Bobby Fuller Four and the late Ritchie Valens.
As Ricky tells me "First songs I wrote were "Little Girl" along with "Blue Tears" which I wrote for my mother Paula who passed away in 1960....which was one of my favorite songs along with
"Please Don't Dance With Me"
Rickey's two songs "Goodbye Jan" and "Please Don't Dance With Me" were released on a small label
JCR Records which stood for Joe, Chuck and Rick. The record was distributed by Art Laboe's
Original Sound Sales Corporation possibly in late 1963 or 1964.
This record too is currently on my want list.
When on tour Rickey was backed by The Ventures and The Champs. He was just a youngster and did shows with Jimmy Clanton, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Crests and Johnny Burnette. He met other teen artists, Paul Anka, Bobby Vee, Brenda Lee, Paul and Paula and Terry Stafford.
Just when Ricky was getting recognized and known he got drafted into the Army as did three of his brothers. He was a morse code radio operator. He could receive and transmit 36 words a minute.
Most of the buddies in his unite were sent to Viet Nam. Ricky was ready to go but for whatever reason and by the Grace of God, Ricky and ten others remained at Fort Ord in California,
Ricky Dean returned to the recording scene in late 1967 to record "Flowers" a song he wrote while
in the Army dedicated to all those who served in Viet Nam and in the war. Songwriter credits go to Ricky and Paul Buff who was also the producer. Allison Buff is the female vocalist on the record.
"I'll Never Love Another" is the B-side of the record written by Ricky. Allison Buff provides the
backing vocals. The record was released in 1968 on Art laboe's Original Sound label.
Ricky wrote but never put to vinyl a few other outstanding songs, "Do You Still Love Me",
"Bikini", and "Blue Christmas Day"
Ricky had the best time ever singing and knowing some great artists. He has been married for 57 years to a girl who lived across the street. They raised three boys.
Again my thanks to Mr Ricky Dean Martinez. He wrote and recorded some really great songs which I
truly enjoy listening to.
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!! SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL AND
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
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