Rob Dean

Rob Dean (born Robert Dean 23 April 1955) is a British musician, who rose to prominence playing guitar as a member of the British band Japan.

Japan

He was a resident in Clapton, East London when joined Japan in 1975 at the age of 22, seeing them developing from glam-rock band to new romantics. He left the band in 1981 due to frustration with the lack of room for his guitar work. Rob Dean's instruments of choice were a Gibson RD artist, and a Gibson SG.

Collaborations

Post-Japan he worked on some initial ideas for a solo album with keyboardist and composer Roger Mason (keyboard player for Gary Numan amongst others). He also played on Gary Numan's Dance album as well as Sinéad O'Connor's first record. Dean continued to work on projects with Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and Mick Karn such as a 1995 compilation album and a number of other works on their Medium Productions label.

His work with other artists has been relatively extensive:

Vivabeat

Vivabeat (supported by Peter Gabriel) combined the influences of '70s British art-rock to the kind of lush, technopop characterized by Bowie, Roxy Music and Sparks. They had a hit with ‘Man From China’ and their work featured Dean on guitar.

Gary Numan - Dance

Gary Numan (vocals), Rob Dean (guitar), Roger Mason (keyboards), Mick Karn (saxophone, bass), Paul Gardner (guitar), Roger Taylor (drums), Cedric Sharpley (drums), Tim Steggles (percussion), Sean Lynch (programming). Dance was an ironic title for one of Gary Numan's latter-period recordings.

Illustrated Man - Illustrated Man

Excitement met Illustrated Man (1984) but they never achieved massive chart success. Hugo Burnham (ex-Gang of Four), Roger Mason (Numan and others), Rob Dean (ex-Japan) and Australian singer/bassist Philip Foxman combined to produce some well-written funk-rock music and some brilliant live performances.

The Slow Club - World of Wonders

Rob Dean contributing to this Australian band (1990)

Jansen, Barbieri, Karn - Beginning to Melt

This 1993 album features Rob Dean and ex-members of Japan.

Little has been heard of Rob Dean as a musician since. The occasional demo tapes from the eighties have surfaced for a range of projects (known as 'The Lost Tapes') where Dean experimented with electronica (with Roger Mason), his trademark guitar sounds and even acoustic tracks with vocals.

Dean's principal activities now are as a professional guide, writer and artist on the birds of Central America. He lives in Monteverde, Costa Rica, and, now known as Robert Dean, has established a reputation as an expert on the region's birdlife. In 2007, Dean collaborated as illustrator on a bird study book (along with Richard Garrigues), entitled "The Birds Of Costa Rica: A Field Guide". He has been reported as occasionally playing guitar with local bands. It would seem that he has achieved some serenity after years in the music business.

External links

* http://www.orpheus.me.uk - Information on Japan and Rob Dean
* http://www.nightporter.co.uk - Information on Japan and group members