"Summergirls" by Dino

Song#:  3580

Date:  07/16/1988

Debut:  92

Peak:  50

Weeks:  12

Genre:  Dance-Pop, Freestyle

Pop Bits:  Dean Esposito, aka Dino, first got into the music business as a DJ for a Las Vegas radio station. He eventually became a program director for another Vegas station while also DJ-ing in clubs. He began to sing as well and performed with a local band for a while before starting to write and record his own songs. He released a couple of indie singles including 1987's "Summergirls," which got the attention of 4th & B'way Records. Dino signed on with them and the label issued out a new mix of the song. With a more national push from the label, the track slowly caught on and it ended up making it to the halfway point on the Pop chart. While not a huge success, it was enough for the label to call for a full album, which wouldn't be released until early '89 along with a second single.

ReduxReview:  Dino was basically a one-man show doing most everything himself including writing, arranging, and performing. In general, he didn't too bad of a job. The tracks sounded good and a couple of them were catchy. While his voice was a bit lackluster, it seemed like he could carry a tune. He also had pinup looks with his long mane of hair, which never hurts. The label took a chance on him and it ended up working out; at least for a few years. This track got things kicked off. It was kind of a goofy song with the stuttering title sections, the "owwwww," stabbing synths, and insipid lyrics. It was nothing that would attract my ears, but thanks to Dino's production it was kind of a fun, engaging track for a minute or two. So not great, but not totally awful either. I'm surprised that it didn't get on the Dance chart.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  After grabbing a significant hit with his third single in 1989, Dino got the opportunity to do some tour appearances. Late in '89 he appeared as an opening act on certain dates for the New Kids on the Block tour. Also on the same bill was The Cover Girls who had recently scored their first Pop Top 10 hit. It seems like Dino and a member of The Cover Girls, Caroline Jackson, hit it off quite well. The pair began to date and by 1991 they were living together in Las Vegas. They would eventually get married. It seems they have weathered all the ups and downs of the business and are still together.

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