The Rivieras
A South Bend, IN, rock & roll band, the Rivieras' one big hit was one of the last great gasps of pure American rock & roll before the British Invasion took over the charts. Original members Otto Nuss (organ), Doug Gean (bass), Marty "Bo" Fortson (vocals and guitar), Joe Pennell (guitar), and Paul Dennert (drums) were local teen ballroom heroes. They recorded a supercharged version of the Joe Jones R&B semi-hit "California Sun" featuring a powerful drum intro and the now-famous signature guitar and organ riff. The song became a hit in the midst of the first flush of Beatlemania, only nudged out of the number one spot on the national charts by "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Although several equally fine 45s and two albums followed, the bandmembers' relatively young ages, coupled with numerous personnel changes caused by the draft and the changing musical climate, caused the group to break up by 1966. Nuss, Gean, and Fortson reunited the Rivieras in the mid-'80s, recording and doing local shows, sounding as great as ever. Though their time in the spotlight was brief, their one big hit continues to define for future generations everything that's pulsatingly great about American teen-band rock & roll.
© Cub Koda /TiVo
Discography
18 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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California Sun - the Best of the Rivieras
Rock - Released by Usa Records on Aug 16, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Let's Have a Party
Rock - Released by Usa Records on Feb 16, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Let's Stomp with The Rivieras! Unissued 1964 Recordings
Rock - Released by Norton Records Inc. on Aug 7, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Moonlight Cocktails
Pop - Released by Oldies.com on Jul 20, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Let's Have a Party
Rock - Released by Usa Records on Feb 16, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Coed Singles
Rock - Released by Omnivore Recordings on Aug 14, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Surfin' Fun
Rock - Released by Norton Records Inc. on Apr 19, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
California Sun / H B Goose Step
Rock - Released by Usa Records on Oct 20, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ten Best Series - The Rivieras
Pop - Released by Beach Road Music, LLC on Oct 25, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Somebody New / Somebody Asked Me
Rock - Released by Riviera on Jun 20, 1965
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
California Sun / H B Goose Step
Rock - Released by Riviera on Oct 20, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Whole Lotta Shakin' / Rip It Up
Rock - Released by Riviera on May 30, 1965
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Let's Go To Hawaii / Lakeview Lane
Rock - Released by Riviera on May 30, 1965
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Rockin' Robin / Battle Line
Rock - Released by Riviera on May 30, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo