The Rivieras

The Rivieras
Origin	South Bend, Indiana, U.S.
Genres	Rock & Roll, Frat Rock
Years active	1962–1966
Past members
Jim Boal Marty Fortson Paul Dennert Doug Gean Otto Nuss Joe Pennell (deceased) Willy Gaut Bill Dobslaw Terry McCoy Jeff McKew

The Rivieras were a rock and roll group formed in the early 1960s in South Bend, Indiana, United States. They are best known for their hit "California Sun."

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. The group was originally called the Playmates, but was forced to change their names as there was already a group playing under that name. As a result, the group decided to rename themselves after the Buick Riviera.

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", reaching #5 in the main U.S. pop 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".

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). Also that year, their debut album, "Let's Have a Party", peaked at #115 on the Billboard 200.

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

Founding member, Joe Pennell, died on April 21, 2011, at the age of 66.

Members

• Marty "Bo" Fortson (born 1945): vocals and guitar
• Doug Gean (born 1951): bass guitar
• Joe Pennell: guitar
• Otto Nuss: organ
• Paul Dennert: drums

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

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
Genre	Rock & Roll, Frat Rock, Garage Rock
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 Denner: drums

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Campus Party (1965)

Campus Party
Studio album by The Rivieras
Released	1965
Genre	Rock & Roll, Frat Rock, Garage Rock
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

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

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45s

1964

• "California Sun / H.B. Goose Step"(Riviera# 1401) South Bend, Indiana.
• "California Sun / Played On" (Riviera# 1401) La Porte, Indiana.
• "Little Donna / Let's Have A party" (Riviera# 1402) La Porte, Indiana.
• "Rockin' Robin / Battle Line" (Riviera# 1403) La Porte, Indiana.

1965

• "Whole Lotta Shakin' / Rip It Up"(Riviera# 1405) South Bend, Indiana.
• "Whole Lotta Shakin' / Whole Lotta Shakin'"(Riviera# 1405 DJ) South Bend, Indiana.
• "Lakeview Lane / Let's Go To Hawaii"(Riviera# 1406) South Bend, Indiana.
• "Somebody New / Somebody Asked Me"(Riviera# 1407) La Porte, Indiana.
• "Bug Juice / Never Feel the Pain"(Riviera# 1409) Mishawaka, Indiana.
• "California Sun / Little Donna / Back In The Sun"(Riviera# 1410) South Bend, Indiana.