The Life and Hits of Johnny Rivers Quiz

Answer: John Ramistella

Johnny Rivers was born John Henry Ramistella in New York City in 1942.He learned guitar from his father and other family members then began playing in bands while in junior high. He formed a band called The Rockets featuring Dick Holler. Holler would go on to compose songs such as "Abraham, Martin and John" and "Snoopy vs.

The Red Baron". When Johnny was 14 he formed a band called The Spades and made his first recording for the Suede label titled "Hey Little Girl".

Answer: Alan Freed

Alan Freed suggested Johnny change his name and assisted Rivers in getting contract with Gone Records. Rivers engaged an attorney to change his name to Rivers, a reference to the Mississippi River that ran through Louisiana.
He released singles on the Gone label including "Your First And Last Love" and "Baby Come Back" through 1959 but none were successful.
He returned to Louisiana where he met Hank Williams' first wife, Audrey. She assisted him in relocating to Nashville where he worked as a demo singer and songwriter.

Answer: James Burton

After James Burton arranged for Ricky Nelson to record one of Johnny Rivers' songs in 1960 Johnny relocated to California the following year and worked as a session musician and songwriter. "I'll Make Believe" was recorded on Ricky's 1960 album "More Songs By Ricky".
In 1963 he hired on as a temporary replacement for a group at a night club owned by Bill Gazzarri that ended up becoming a one year engagement. Burton would go on to perform with Elvis for several years.
Tennessee native Scotty Moore was Elvis' original guitar player. Nokie Edwards played guitar for The Ventures. Tommy Allsup was the guitar player on the tour at the time that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Booper died. Edwards and Allsup are both Oklahoma natives.

Answer: Memphis

A cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis" broke Johnny as a national artist. The song was a single release from his 1964 "Johnny Rivers Live At The Whisky A Go Go" album. The album was recorded over two nights in a mobile studio. It managed to reach Number 12 on the US album charts despite the onset of the British Invasion. Johnny's version of "Memphis" fared better that the original by Chuck Berry did when it was released in 1959. Johnny Rivers later recorded a version of Berry's "Maybellene" from his "Here We a Go Go Again!" LP that reached Number 12 in the US. "Midnight Special" topped out at Number 20 for Johnny in 1965. "Seventh Son" was a 1965 Top Ten for Johnny and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" reached Number 26 in 1965.

Answer: Poor Side of Town

"Poor Side Of Town" became Johny Rivers' highest selling single and his only Number One record in the US. Johnny Rivers and Lou Adler composed the song that featured Fanita James, Darlene Love and Jean King, formerly known as The Blossoms, on baking vocals. The song was a single release from his "Changes" album.
"Mountain of Love" was a 1964 Top Ten single for Johnny from his "In Action" album. "(I Washed My Hands In) Muddy Water" was a 1966 cover of a 1965 Stonewall Jackson recording. "Summer Rain" was written by James Hendricks of The Mugwumps. Johnny's version went to Number 14 in 1968.

Answer: True

Rivers actually appeared at The Monterey International Pop Festival in a fur vest and Beatle haircut. He sang "Help" and "Help Me Rhonda". Johnny Rivers and Lou Adler were among the entertainers and producers instrumental in promoting and producing the concert. Johnny was the fifth act to perform on Friday, June 16, the opening day of the festival. He was followed by Eric Burden then Simon and Garfunkel closed the evening.
Johnny was not well received in his different attire and was actually booed during his performance.

Answer: The 5th Dimension

"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" and "Wedding Bell Blues" were two Number One releases by The 5th Dimension on Johnny Rivers' Soul City label. Johnny Rivers was one of the first labels to release a Jimmy Webb composition when The 5th Dimension recorded "Up, Up, and Away". Al Wilson was another Soul City recording artist and Johnny also released singles on his label including "Swayin to the Music (Slow Dancin')".
Johnny sold the label to Bell Records in 1970.
"Sunday Will Never Be the Same" was a big hit for Spanky and the Gang. Chairmen of the Board released "Give Me Just A Little More Time" and "Pay To The Piper". The Turtles released "Happy Together" in 1967.

Answer: Baby I Need Your Lovin'

"Baby I Need Your Lovin'" was a single from Johnny's 1967 "Rewind" album. It was originally released in 1964 by The Four Tops. The Motown writing team of Holland, Dozier and Holland composed the song. It was The Four Tops' first Motown single release and reached Number 11.
Besides Johnny Rivers other artists who have recorded the song include The Supremes on their "The Supremes A' Go Go" album, The Fourmost, O.C. Smith and Eric Carmen.
"The Tracks of My Tears" was a Top Ten single for Johnny Rivers the same year. It was originally done in 1965 by The Miracles. "Look to Your Soul" was a 1968 Rivers release that only made it to Number 49. "These Are Not My People" came out the following year and topped out at Number 55.

Answer: The Midnight Special

Johny Rivers' rendition of the traditional Folk song, "Midnight Special", was selected as the theme song for the "The Midnight Special" variety show. The show was conceived by Burt Sugarman to air after "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" when most stations went off the air. Unable to convince networks to air the show Sugarman bought the airtime with the help of Chevrolet's sponsorship. When the show became successful NBC began producing it. John Denver hosted the premier episode and Johnny Rivers occasionally hosted the show during the first season. Wolfman Jack eventually became a permanent host.
The first known written reference to the "Midnight Special" song was made in 1905 by Howard Odum. Sam Collins recorded the tune in 1927 as "The Midnight Special Blues" on Gennett Records five years before Leadbelly recorded his well-known version in prison.
"Shindig", "Music Scene" and "Hullabaloo" were all sixties musical variety shows.

Answer: Secret Agent

"Secret Agent Man" was recorded live in 1966 at the Whisky A Go Go. Some studio production enhancement was added before the single was released and used on the television show. Songwriter Chuck Day was inspired by the James Bond theme song when he wrote "Secret Agent Man". The show was based on a British television show titled "Danger Man". Johnny released the song from his live 1966 "And I Know You Wanna Dance" album.
When Rivers was initially invited to record the theme he was not sure his vocals would be appropriate for the song. The original television version only had one verse so verses had to be added when the single was released. The show was aired as "Secret Agent" (1964) in the US.
"Mission: Impossible" (1966) featured a Lalo Schifrin instrumental theme. "I Spy" (1965) featured a different theme each episode and Jerry Goldsmith composed the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964) theme.