Johnny Rivers
Johnny Rivers (born John Henry Ramistella on November 7, 1942 in New York C… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Rivers (born John Henry Ramistella on November 7, 1942 in New York City) is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer.
He was versatile enough to do folk songs, blues, covers of old-time Rock n' roll songs, and some original material, all of them in his own unique style. Rivers's greatest success came in the mid and late 1960s with a string of hit songs (including "Seventh Son," "Poor Side of Town" and "Secret Agent Man") but he has continued to record and perform to the present.
In 1960, Rivers met fellow Louisianan, James Burton, the guitar player for Ricky Nelson. Burton later recommended one of Rivers's songs to Nelson, who went on to record it. In 1961, Rivers went to Los Angeles to meet Nelson, and ended up relocating there, working as a song writer and studio musician. In 1963, Rivers's big break came when he temporarily filled in for a jazz combo at Bill Gazzari's night club; the temporary gig became long-term due to positive customer response.
In 1964, Elmer Valentine then gave Rivers a one-year contract to open his new club, Whisky a Go Go, on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The Whisky opened three days before The Beatles released "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and the British Invasion knocked almost every American artist off the top of the charts. But Rivers was so popular, producer Lou Adler decided to issue Johnny Rivers Live At The Whiskey A Go Go. The live album reached #12 on the charts and the single "Memphis" (a Chuck Berry cover) reached #2. Rivers made the successful transition from nightclub entertainer to chart-busting pop singer and had created the Go Go sound, part of a scene which included Go-Go dancers.
Into 1965, Rivers continued to record mostly live, Go Go style records including "Maybellene" (another Berry cover), which he followed "Mountain of Love", "Midnight Special", "Seventh Son" (written by Willie Dixon) e "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" (with Pete Seeger's), all of which were hits.
Rivers wanted to try something different and adopted a more idiosyncratic approach as from 1966. Characterized by his smooth, soulful voice, he produced hit portrayals as "Poor Side Of Town", which would be his biggest hit ever and his only number one record. Into another hit was "Secret Agent Man", the theme from Secret Agent television series (written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri). He also started own record company, Soul City Records, where he won a Grammy Award as the producer of the 5th Dimension, which eventually recorded "Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In" and "Wedding Bell Blues", two number one hits on Rivers' label. Johnny is also credited with giving songwriter Jimmy Webb a major break when they recorded Webb's song "Up, Up, and Away". James Hendricks, one of the artists of that signed with Soul City, wrote "Summer Rain", a song that Rivers recorded and turned a hit.
Johnny Rivers continued to record more hits, including "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" and "The Tracks of My Tears" (cover of The Miracles), both top 10 in 1967. In 1968, Rivers released what many fans consider his best album, Realization, a number five album on the LP charts. The album was evocative of the psychedelic influences of the time and marked a subtle change in his musical direction, with more thoughtful types of songs, included such ballads as "Going Back to Big Sur".
In the 1970s, Rivers continued to record more songs and albums which were a success with music critics, but did not sell as well as some of his earlier hits. One of these albums, "L.A. Reggae" in 1972, reached the LP charts as a result of the top 10 "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" (a cover of Huey Smith & the Clowns). Anothers hits that time were "Blue Suede Shoes" (a cover of Carl Perkins), in 1973, which would reach the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Help Me Rhonda", in 1975 - a cover of The Beach Boys on which Brian Wilson helped with backup vocals. His last entry on the charts was "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing)", a top ten hit in 1977.
1980's until nowadays
Rivers continued recording into the '80's, although his recording career wound down somewhat. In spite of his music hasn't reached the best seller charts for quite a while, Rivers is still touring, doing 50 to 60 shows a year, increasingly returning to the blues that inspired him initially.
In 1998], Rivers reactivated his Soul City imprint and released Last Train to Memphis, his first new studio album in 15 years.
In early 2000, Johnny recorded with Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, and Paul McCartney on a tribute album dedicated to Buddy Holly's backup band, "The Crickets".
In all, Rivers had 9 top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and 17 in the top 40 from 1964 to 1977. In total, he has sold well over 25 million records.
He was versatile enough to do folk songs, blues, covers of old-time Rock n' roll songs, and some original material, all of them in his own unique style. Rivers's greatest success came in the mid and late 1960s with a string of hit songs (including "Seventh Son," "Poor Side of Town" and "Secret Agent Man") but he has continued to record and perform to the present.
In 1960, Rivers met fellow Louisianan, James Burton, the guitar player for Ricky Nelson. Burton later recommended one of Rivers's songs to Nelson, who went on to record it. In 1961, Rivers went to Los Angeles to meet Nelson, and ended up relocating there, working as a song writer and studio musician. In 1963, Rivers's big break came when he temporarily filled in for a jazz combo at Bill Gazzari's night club; the temporary gig became long-term due to positive customer response.
In 1964, Elmer Valentine then gave Rivers a one-year contract to open his new club, Whisky a Go Go, on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The Whisky opened three days before The Beatles released "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and the British Invasion knocked almost every American artist off the top of the charts. But Rivers was so popular, producer Lou Adler decided to issue Johnny Rivers Live At The Whiskey A Go Go. The live album reached #12 on the charts and the single "Memphis" (a Chuck Berry cover) reached #2. Rivers made the successful transition from nightclub entertainer to chart-busting pop singer and had created the Go Go sound, part of a scene which included Go-Go dancers.
Into 1965, Rivers continued to record mostly live, Go Go style records including "Maybellene" (another Berry cover), which he followed "Mountain of Love", "Midnight Special", "Seventh Son" (written by Willie Dixon) e "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" (with Pete Seeger's), all of which were hits.
Rivers wanted to try something different and adopted a more idiosyncratic approach as from 1966. Characterized by his smooth, soulful voice, he produced hit portrayals as "Poor Side Of Town", which would be his biggest hit ever and his only number one record. Into another hit was "Secret Agent Man", the theme from Secret Agent television series (written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri). He also started own record company, Soul City Records, where he won a Grammy Award as the producer of the 5th Dimension, which eventually recorded "Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In" and "Wedding Bell Blues", two number one hits on Rivers' label. Johnny is also credited with giving songwriter Jimmy Webb a major break when they recorded Webb's song "Up, Up, and Away". James Hendricks, one of the artists of that signed with Soul City, wrote "Summer Rain", a song that Rivers recorded and turned a hit.
Johnny Rivers continued to record more hits, including "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" and "The Tracks of My Tears" (cover of The Miracles), both top 10 in 1967. In 1968, Rivers released what many fans consider his best album, Realization, a number five album on the LP charts. The album was evocative of the psychedelic influences of the time and marked a subtle change in his musical direction, with more thoughtful types of songs, included such ballads as "Going Back to Big Sur".
In the 1970s, Rivers continued to record more songs and albums which were a success with music critics, but did not sell as well as some of his earlier hits. One of these albums, "L.A. Reggae" in 1972, reached the LP charts as a result of the top 10 "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" (a cover of Huey Smith & the Clowns). Anothers hits that time were "Blue Suede Shoes" (a cover of Carl Perkins), in 1973, which would reach the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Help Me Rhonda", in 1975 - a cover of The Beach Boys on which Brian Wilson helped with backup vocals. His last entry on the charts was "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing)", a top ten hit in 1977.
1980's until nowadays
Rivers continued recording into the '80's, although his recording career wound down somewhat. In spite of his music hasn't reached the best seller charts for quite a while, Rivers is still touring, doing 50 to 60 shows a year, increasingly returning to the blues that inspired him initially.
In 1998], Rivers reactivated his Soul City imprint and released Last Train to Memphis, his first new studio album in 15 years.
In early 2000, Johnny recorded with Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, and Paul McCartney on a tribute album dedicated to Buddy Holly's backup band, "The Crickets".
In all, Rivers had 9 top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and 17 in the top 40 from 1964 to 1977. In total, he has sold well over 25 million records.
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Johnny Rivers Lyrics
A Hard Day's Night It's been a hard day's night, And I've been working like…
A Taste Of Honey Winds may blow o'er the icy sea I'll take with me…
A Whiter Shade of Pale We skipped the light fandango Turned cartwheels 'cross the …
Apple Tree I used to sit in a big apple tree Welcome the…
Baby Can I Change My Mind She didn't bat an eye, as I packed my bags…
Baby Come Back I don′t need a lot of money Or fame and wealth…
Baby I Need Your Love Oh Oh Oh Baby, I need your lovin' Baby, I need your lovin' …
Baby I need your Lovin Baby I need your lovin' Baby I need your lovin' Although…
Baby I Need Your Loving Oh Oh Oh Baby, I need your lovin' Baby, I need your lovin' …
Baby What You Want Me to Do Reed You've got me runnin', you've got me hidin' You've got…
Baby, I Need Your Lovin' Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh Baby I…
Barefootin' Everybody, get on your feet You make me nervous when you…
Be My Baby She didn't bat an eye, as I packed my bags…
Big River Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, And I…
Blowin In The Wind How many roads must a man walk down Before you call…
Blue Suede Shoes Well it's one for the money, two for the show Three…
Boppin The Blues I used to play around with hearts that hastened at…
Borrowed Time I've got to make up my mind What's it gonna be,…
Brass Buttons And with all the invitations sent the young bride went…
Brother A small boy walked down a city street Hope was in…
Brown Eyed Girl Hey, where did we go Days when the rains came?…
Brown Eyed Handsome Man Arrested on charges of unemployment He was sitting in the w…
By The Time I Get to Phoenix By the time I get to Phoenix, she'll be rising…
California Dreamin All the leaves are brown All the leaves are brown And the…
Can I Change My Mind She didn't bat an eye, as I packed my bags…
Can't Buy Me Love Can't buy me love, love Can't buy me love I'll buy you…
Can't Find My Way Home Come down off your throne and leave your body alone…
Can't Help Myself Sugar pie honey bunch you know that I love you I…
Can´t Find My Way Home Come down off your throne and leave your body alone…
Carpet man When you see some puddles on the ground You lay down…
Cast Your Fate To The Wind Guaraldi-Werber A month of nights, a year of days Octobe…
Catch the Wind In the chilly hours and minutes Of uncertainty, I want to…
Chicago Bound Well, I left out of Georgia 1964 My baby begged me:…
China China, china, the evening's moving in See you, soon now, the…
Come Home America Winds of change blowing strong Thought I'd heard someone s…
Cupid Cupid draw back your bow And let your arrow go Straight to…
Curious Mind Walkin′ through the park, It wasn't quite dark There was a m…
Dang Me Well, here sitta' high, gettin' ideas, Ain't nothin' but a…
Darling Talk to Me Darling, darling talk to me Tell me what's wrong tonight For…
Days Of Wine And Roses The days of wine and roses laugh and run away…
Do what you gotta do Man, I can understand how it might be Kind of hard…
Do What You Gotta' Do Man, I can understand how it might be Kind of hard…
Do You Wanna Dance DO YOU WANNA DANCE - Johnny Rivers (B. Freeman) © 1973 Do…
Do You Wanna Dance? Do you wanna dance and hold my hand? Tell me that…
Do You Want To Dance? Do you wanna dance and hold my hand? Tell me that…
Enemies and Friends In 1969, I was following the sun On my highway of…
Every Day I Have to Cry Alexander There was a little girl I had planned to marry …
Everyday In time it's gonna get me Head down to where it…
Feel A Whole Lot Better The reason why, though I can say I had to let…
Fire & Rain Just yesterday mornin', they let me know you were gone Suzan…
For Emily Whenever I May Find Her What a dream I had, pressed in organdy Clothed in crinoline…
Goin' Back To Big Sur It's a cold and rainy Friday night City life's got me…
Going Back To Big Sur It's a cold and rainy Friday night City life's got me…
Got My Mojo Working I got my mojo working, it just don't work on…
Green Back Dollar Some people say I'm a no-'count Others say I'm no good But…
Green Green Green, green, it's green, they say On the far side of…
Greenback Dollar Some people say I'm a no-'count Others say I'm no good But…
Gypsy Wind When that Gypsy Wind starts to blow From New Orleans down…
Hang On Sloopy Russell-Farrell Hang on sloopy, sloopy, hang on Hang on …
He Don't Love You Like I Love You [Chorus] He don't love you like I love you If he did,…
He Don't Love You, Like I Love You He don't love you like I love you If he did,…
He'll have to go Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone. Let's…
Hello Josephine Hello Josephine. How do you do? Do you remember me…
Help Me Rhonda Since she put me down I've be out doin' in…
Hey Joe Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your…
Hi-Heel Sneakers Higginbotham Put on your hi-heel sneakers, put your wig h…
High Heel Sneakers Put on your red dress baby 'cause we're going out…
Honey Don't Well how can you say you will when you won't,…
I Can't Help Myself Sugar pie honey bunch you know that I love you I…
I Forgot To Remember To Forget I forgot to remember to forget her I can't seem to…
I Got a Woman Oh, sometimes I feel a little lonely .................. .…
I Shoud Have Known Better I should have known better with a girl like you, That…
I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water I was home in Macon, Georgia They kept my Daddy in…
I'll Be Back You know if you break my heart I'll go But I'll…
I'll Cry Instead I've got every reason on earth to be mad 'Cause I…
I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better The reason why, though I can say I had to…
I'm in Love Again Yes it means I'm in love again Had no lovin' since…
I've Just Seen A Face I've just seen a face, I can't forget the time or…
If I Were a Carpenter IF I WERE A CARPENTER - Johnny Rivers Se eu fosse…
If You Don't Want My Love As we move along through love's game Sometime's it gets so…
In The Midnight Hour I'm gonna wait till the midnight hour That's when my love…
It Wouldn't Happen With Me Evans You say you could fall in love with Elvis You say…
It' Too Late It's Too Late (Whisky A Go Go) Johnny Rivers I remember …
It'll never happen again I remember Our first affair All the pain Always rain…
It's All Over Now B. & S. Womack Well, baby used to stay out all…
It's All Right Mayfield Say it's all right (it's all right) Say it's a…
It's Alright Say it's all right, it's all right Say it's all right,…
It's The Same Old Song You're sweet as a honey bee But like a honey bee…
It's Too Late It's Too Late (Whisky A Go Go) Johnny Rivers I remember whe…
Jailer Bring Me Water Darin Jailer, bring me water Jailer, bring me water Jailer,…
Jesus Is A Soul Man Jesus is a soul man, Jesus is a soul man, Jesus is…
Johnny B. Goode Berry Deep down Louisiana close to New Orleans Way back …
Joker In The Wind Forty days and forty nights Lying here, waitin' for the morn…
Josephine Hello Josephine. How do you do? Do you remember me…
Keep A-Knockin' You keep a-knockin, but you can't come in You keep a-knocki…
Knock On Wood I don't want to lose you, This good thing that i've…
La Bamba Para bailar la bamba Para bailar la bamba Se necesita una po…
La Bamba/Twist And Shout Valens / Medley-Russell Para bailar la bamba Para bailar…
Land of 1000 Dances One, two, three! One, two, three! You gotta know how to po…
Lawdy Miss Clawdy Price Well, lawdy, lawdy, lawdy Miss Clawdy, you sure loo…
Long Long Walk Yeah, they came to take me away Said I'd be sitting…
Long Tall Sally I'm gonna tell Aunt Mary 'bout Uncle John He said he…
Long time man Yeah, they came to take me away Said I'd be sitting…
Look To Your Soul Hendricks I nearly lost myself Tryin’ to be someone else…
Matchbox Well I'm sitting here wondering Will a matchbox hold my clot…
Maybellene Maybellene, why can't you be true Oh Maybellene, why can't …
Maybelline As I was motivatin' over the hill I saw Maybelline in…
Medley: La Bamba Para bailar la bamba Para bailar la bamba Se necesita una po…
Medley: Searching/So Fine Leiber-Stoller otis I'm gonna find her, I'm gonna find her …
Memphis Long distance information, give me Memphis Tennessee Help me…
Memphis '72 Long distance information, give me Memphis Tennessee Help m…
Memphis (Live At Whiskey A Go Go / 1964 / Remastered 1995) Long distance information, give me Memphis, Tennessee Help m…
Memphis 72 Long distance information, give me Memphis Tennessee Help m…
Michael Comes on like a flash of light Filling my life with…
Midnight Special You get up in the mornin' You hear the ding dong…
Moody River Bruce Moody river more deadly than the natalest night Mo…
Mother And Child Reunion No, I would not give you false hope On…
Mountain Of Love Standing on a mountain looking down on a city The way…
Moving To The Country So many people are movin' to the country See how they…
Mr. Tambourine Man Hey! Mr tambourine Man, play a song for me I'm not…
Muddy River Life is like a mighty river Rolling on and on…
Muddy Water I was born in Macon, Georgia They kept my Daddy in…
Multiplication Darin When you see a gentleman bee around a lady bee…
Mystery Train Train I ride, sixteen coaches long Train I ride, sixteen co…
Oh Lonesome Me Gibson Everybody is going out and having fun I'm just a …
Oh Pretty Woman Pretty woman, walkin' down the street, pretty woman The kind…
One Man Woman Lewis Wright When a man loves a woman Can't keep his mind…
Our Lady Of The Well It is a dance we do in silence Far below this…
Parchman Farm Well I'm sitting over here on Parchman Farm Well I'm sitting…
Permanent Change I've been sittin' here for days Thinkin' of different ways T…
Poor Side Of Town How can you tell me how much you miss me When…
Positively 4th Street You got a lotta nerve to say you are my…
Promised Land Berry I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia California on my …
Rainy Night in Georgia Hoverin' by my suitcase Tryin' to find a warm place to…
Respect What you want baby I got What you need You know I…
Rhythim Of The Rain Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain Telling me just…
Rhythm of the Rain Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain Telling me just…
Rock Me A Little While I know you're leavin' me behind I'm seein' you, darling, fo…
Rock Me On The Water Oh people, look around you The signs are everywhere You've l…
Rockin I wanna to jump but I'm afraid I'll fall I wanna…
Rockin' Pneumonia - Boogie Woogie Flu I wanna jump but I'm afraid I'll fall I wanna holler…
Rockin' Pneumonia / Boogie Woogie Flu I wanna jump, but I'm afraid I'll fall I wanna holler,…
Rockin' Pneumonia and Boogie Woogie Flu I wanna to jump but I'm afraid I'll fall I wanna…
Roll Over Beethoven I'm gonna write a little letter, gotta mail it to…
Rosecrans Boulevard I've passed a lot of exit signs In my time while…
Run for Your Life Well, I'd rather see you dead, little girl Than to be…
Sea Cruise Now 'Old Man Rhythm' is in my shoes It's no use…
Secret Agent Man There's a man who leads a life of danger To everyone…
Seventh Son Everybody's talkin' 'bout the seventh son In the whole wide …
Seventh Son (Live At Whiskey A Go Go / 1965) The seventh son Johnny rivers Everybody talkin' 'bout the se…
Sidewalk Song / 27th Street Forty-seven cracks in the sidewalk that leads From my house …
Silver Threads and Golden Needles I don't want your lonely mansion With a tear in every…
Six Days On The Road I pulled out of Pittsburgh, rolling down the Eastern seaboar…
Slim Slo Slider Slim slow slider, horse you ride is white as snow Slim…
Slow Dancing Swayin To The Music It's late at night and we're all alone Just the music…
So Far Away So far away Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more? It…
Softly As I Leave You Softly I will leave you softly For my heart would…
Solitary Man Melinda was mine 'Til the time That I found her Holding J…
Something Strange Hendricks-Rivers Something strange is happening to me So…
Spare Me a Little I know you're leavin' me behind I'm seein' you, darling, for…
Stagger Lee The night was clear and the moon was yellow And…
Stop in the Name of Love Stop! in the name of love Before you break my heart Baby…
Stop! In the Name of Love (Live At Whiskey A Go Go / 1965) Baby, baby I'm aware of where you go Each time you leave…
Strangers In The Night Strangers in the night, Exchanging glances Wandering the ni…
Summer Rain Summer rain taps at my window West wind soft as a…
Sunny Hebb Sunny, yesterday my life was filled with rain Sunny…
Susie Q Oh, Susie Q oh, Susie Q Oh, Susie Q i love…
swayin to the music It's late at night and we're all alone Just the music…
Sweet smiling children You tell all the sweet smiling children About that one great…
Take Me In Your Arms I know you're leavin' me behind I'm seein' you, darling, for…
Tall Oak Tree Burnette There was a tall oak tree That loved a babbling br…
That's Alright Mama Well, that's alright, Mama. That's alright with you. Yeah,…
The Poor Side Of Town How can you tell me how much you miss me When…
The seventh Son Everybody's talkin' 'bout the seventh son In the whole wide …
The Shadow Of Your Smile The shadow of your smile When you have gone Will color all…
The Snake Brown On her way to work one morning Down the path along…
The Tracks Of My Tears People say I'm the life of the party 'Cause I tell…
The Way We Live You ask me why I don't smile Is there something troublin'…
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye Kiss me each morning for a million years. Hold me each…
These Are Not My People First your mama and your papa sent you to the…
Tracks of My Tears People say I'm the life of the party 'Cause I tell…
Tunesmith Married to the road, there's no other way to say…
Twist And Shout Para bailar la bamba Para bailar la bamba Se necesita una po…
Under Your Spell Again [Chorus:] You got me under, your spell again Saying those th…
Uptight Baby, everything is all right, uptight, out of sight Baby, …
Walk Myself On Home Osborn-Rubin I've been waiting in here all night, for you…
Walkin Woke up this mornin', people, looked around for my shoes You…
Walkin The Dog Mary Mack dressed in black Silver buttons all down her back …
Walkin' Blues Woke up this mornin', people, looked around for my shoes You…
Walkin' The Dog Mary Mac, dressed in black Silver buttons all down her back…
Walking the Dog Thomas Baby, back, dressed in black Silver buttons all d…
What's The Difference Hey friend wake up can't you Tell that you're sleepin How fa…
When a Man Loves a Woman Lewis-Wright When a man loves a woman Can't keep his min…
Where Have All the Flowers Gone Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing? Where ha…
Whisky A Go Go Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone. Let's…
Whiter Shade of Pale We skipped the light fandango Turned cartwheels 'cross the f…
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On David Williams Come on over, baby A-whole lotta shakin' goi…
Wille And The Hand Jive I know a cat named way out Willie He got a…
Wrote a Song for Everyone Met myself a-comin' county welfare line. I was feelin' strun…
You Better Move On You ask me to give up the Hand of the girl…
You Can Have Her Cooke Well, you can have her, I don't want her She didn't…
You Win Again What a dream I had Pressed in organdy Clothed in crinoline…
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin Mann-Spector-Weil You never close your eyes Anymore whe…
You´ve lost That Lovin´ Feelin P. Spector, B. Mann, C. Well You never close your eyes…