The Rivieras

The Rivieras were an American rock and roll group,^[2] who formed in the early 1960s in South Bend, Indiana, United States. They are best known for their hit "California Sun", written by Henry Glover. Despite their background as land-locked Midwesterners, they popularized their own variety of surf music, with a unique organ-lead sound. The band was also notable for being one of the last American rock and roll bands to top the charts before the British Invasion. After various line-up changes, the band folded in 1966. Since then, there have been various reunions.

History

The Rivieras were made up of teenagers from South Bend Central High School. (This group should not be confused with the Coed Records East Coast rhythm & blues group of the same name who had hits in the late 50s and the early 60s.) Originally called the Playmates, they were forced to change their names as there was already a group playing under that name. They decided to rename themselves after the Buick Riviera.^[3]

The Rivieras were one of the many groups in America that became part of the "frat rock" movement in the early 1960s. The group had their greatest hit in 1964 with "California Sun", which reached No. 5 on the main US pop music chart. In fact, "California Sun" was one of the last pure American rock-and-roll songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart before the "British Invasion", reaching its peak chart position the same week as the Beatles topped the chart with "I Want to Hold Your Hand".^[4]

In addition to their one hit, the Rivieras scored three more songs in 1964 that dipped into the Billboard Hot 100: "Let's Have a Party" (#99), "Little Donna" (#93) and "Rockin' Robin" (#96).^[4] Also that year, their debut album, Let's Have a Party, peaked at No. 115 on the Billboard 200.^[4]

Both personal reasons and drastic changes in pop music led to the split-up of the group in 1966.^[4]

Nuss, Gean, and Fortson revived the Rivieras in 1980, and in 1987, this lineup recorded a 10-track vanity album to be sold at appearances.^[5]

The band was revived in 2000 under the name Wildcat by original members Marty Fortson (vocals, rhythm guitar), Joe Pennell (lead guitar), and Paul Dennert (drums) in addition to Kevin Szucsits (keyboard, bass). The name change came as a result of original Rivieras members Otto Nuss (organ) and Doug Gean (bass) retiring from performing, and was also named after the Buick Wildcat. With the name change came a style change as well, playing a more modern, hard rock sound.^[1]

Founding member Joe Pennell died on April 21, 2011, at the age of 66.^[6] Marty Fortson died on September. 26, 2012.^[7]

Members

• Marty "Bo" Fortson (born 1945): lead vocals and rhythm guitar (1962-1963)
• Doug Gean (born 1951): bass guitar (1962-)
• Joe Pennell: guitar (1962-1963)
• Otto Nuss: organ (1962-1966)
• Paul Dennert: drums (1962-1964)
• Stanley "Chip" Baginski: drums
• Bill Dobslaw: lead vocals (1963-)
• Willy Gaut: vocals, rhythm guitar (1963-1965)
• Jim Boal: lead guitar (1963-1965)
• Bobby Wantuch: drums
• Clifford Nolte: Bass Guitar

Fortson, Pennell and Nolte left the group for the Marine Corps shortly after recording "California Sun". They were replaced by Jim Boal (lead guitar) and Willie Gaut (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Bobby Wantuch (drums). The band's manager Bill Dobslaw took over as lead vocalist on recordings of subsequent lesser hits.^[3]

Near the end of the band's life, other members left the group under parental pressure to focus on education. Various replacements were used to fill in the vacancies including Jeff McKew (vocals, guitar) and Terry McCoy (drums).

Discography

Albums

Let's Have A Party (1964)

Let's Have A Party
Studio album by The Rivieras
Released	1964
Label	U.S.A. 102

1. California Sun
2. Danny Boy
3. Twist & Shout
4. Little Donna
5. Church Key
6. Killer Joe
7. Lets Have A Party
8. Rockin' Robin
9. H.B. Goose Step
10. Keep A Knockin'
11. Oh, Boy
12. When The Saints

Personnel

• Marty "Bo" Fortson: vocals, rhythm guitar
• Joe Pennell: lead guitar
• Otto Nuss: organ, piano
• Doug Gean: bass guitar
• Paul Dennert: drums^[8]

Let's Stomp with The Rivieras (1964)

Label: Norton, CD and LP, Released 2000^[9]
Tracks:^[10]

1. Arizona Sun
2. I'm Lookin' For Someone To Love^[11]
3. Comin' Back Home
4. Sarah Lee
5. Johnny B. Goode
6. Rosie Lee
7. When You Look At Me Like This^[12]
8. I've Had It^[13]
9. Blueberry Hill
10. Let's Dance^[14]
11. Surfin' Fun
12. What'd I Say
13. Mama Don't Allow^[15]
14. Let's Stomp
15. Peggy Sue
16. Cherry Pie
17. Lakeview Lane
18. Do You Wanna Dance^[16]
19. Wild Weekend
20. Money
21. Shout
22. Let's Stomp

Campus Party (1965)

Campus Party
Studio album by The Rivieras
Released	1965
Label	Riviera

1. California Sun '65
2. Hanky Panky
3. Tossin' And Turnin'
4. Somebody New
5. Money Honey
6. Bug Juice
7. Fortune Teller
8. Doctor Feelgood
9. Comin' Back Home
10. Church Key Pt. 2
11. Louie Louie
12. Farmer John

Personnel ^[8]

• Jeff McKew: vocals, rhythm guitar
• Jim Boal: lead guitar
• Otto Nuss: organ, piano
• Doug Gean: bass guitar
• Terry McCoy: drums
• Willie Gaut (vocals, rhythm guitar)
• Ray Eberhart: lead guitar / vocal (1966–1967)
• John Swoveland: bass guitar (1966–1967)

References