Marmalade Vocal Legend Dean Ford Passes December 31, 2018

Dean Ford of The Marmalade
It is with great regret to announce the sudden passing on December 31, 2018 of Dean Ford, aka Thomas McAleese, the former Marmalade lead vocalist of countless hit songs over the latter 60s and early 70s era, most notably the iconic ballad “Reflections Of My Life,” his co-write with Junior Campbell. That song lives in the hearts of many and was a soothing lament for many a Vietnam veteran. He had just recently released a solo double CD entitled This Scottish Heart, often stating “this is so exciting,” as the reviews poured in.

Fernando Perdomo, his fellow stage musician and producer of his previous CD, Feel My Heartbeat, recalls “Every vocal Dean did oozed with love and tenderness. I will miss his kindness and warmth. A joy to work with and an inspiration.” Dean was born on September 5, 1946.

“Years old when Pat and I went to see him singing with the Monarchs at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow. Just his little guy with big ears and big hands, but from the moment he opened his mouth to sing Roy Orbison’s ‘In Dreams’, me, Pat, and the whole of Barrowland knew he was something special… He was an exceptional talent and I am privileged and proud to have performed with him, and to have written songs with him… some of which apparently still mean something, to many, all over the world. I loved him dearly” – Junior Campbell

Dean Ford. Photo by Rik Boose
Chyrisse Tabone, Ph.D.
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