He was best known for his work at Motown Records in the 1960s, often in collaboration with William Weatherspoon with whom he co-wrote several hits, including Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted".
Dean also co-wrote, with John Glover, "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)", a US No.
1 hit for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Dean was born in Detroit the oldest child to Richard and Dorothy Dean, and attended Hamtramck High School in Hamtramck, Michigan.
He teamed up with William Weatherspoon to write hits for Jimmy Ruffin ("What Becomes of the Brokenhearted", "I've Passed This Way Before", "Farewell Is a Lonely Sound", "I'll Say Forever My Love", and "It's Wonderful (To Be Loved by You)"); Marv Johnson ("I'll Pick a Rose for My Rose"); Edwin Starr ("I Am the Man for You Baby"); and others.
With John Glover, Dean co-wrote for the Four Tops, First Choice, and Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., having his greatest success with the latter pair's 1976 US No.