International Herald Tribune, Paris 19.06.1986

Dean Reed Dies at 47; U.S. Expatriate Singer

EAST BERLIN, June 18 (AP) - Dean Reed, an American-born singer who had a legion of fans in the Communist bloc, died Tuesday in East Germany, where he had lived since 1972. He was 47 years old.

The East German press agency said Mr. Reed died from a "tragic accident," but provided no other details. His mother, Ruth Anna Brown, said in Honolulu that she was told her son had died while swimming in a lake near his home.

Mr. Reed was virtually unknown in his native country, but was mobbed at appearances in the Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries.

In an interview with The Associated Press last year, Mr. Reed said he had starred in 18 films and made 13 albums. He gave concerts in 32 countries, singing protest songs about Chile's military Government and Washington's support of Nicaraguan rebels, but also playing renditions of American hits such as "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Tutti Frutti."

Mr. Reed left the United States in 1962, but retained his United States citizenship.

He was the only American to receive the Lenin Prize for art. He also received peace prizes from several Eastern European countries.

Mr. Reed said in an interview that he hoped to unite people of different ideologies in his quest for world peace. "I think if somebody has to put a label on me, the only label I accept is that I'm an artist of love," he said.

He returned to Denver, his hometown, in October for the opening of "American Rebel," an American-made documentary about his life.

Mr. Reed is survived by his wife, the East German actress Renate Blume-Reed.