Advocating for Rivers

For God's sake put Johnny Rivers into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dude has paid his dues from New York to Louisiana back to Greenwich Village and onto L.A. and beyond.

Born in New York city in November 7, 1942 Johnny  showed an early interest in music, particularly the guitar. He began playing guitar as a child and was heavily influenced by the rock and roll and rhythm and blues music of the 1950s. In the late 1950s, Rivers and his family relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There, he continued to develop his musical skills and perform in local bands. In the early 1960s, Rivers returned to New York City to pursue a career in music. He adopted the stage name "Johnny Rivers" and started performing in Greenwich Village coffeehouses and clubs.

As everybody knows by now, Greenwich Village was exploding with musical talent at the time an explosion that would change the culture of America. Johnny was part of that Greenwich village scene and vibe. Rivers' talent and determination caught the attention of record executives. In 1963, he signed with the Imperial Records label and released his debut album, "Johnny Rivers at the Whisky à Go Go," which was recorded live at the famous Whisky a Go Go nightclub in Los Angeles.

Everything was changing. The Beatles had arrived and the British Revolution was in full force. American rock music was in retreat. Then outta nowhere, Memphis happened. Rivers' residency at the Whisky a Go Go in 1964 helped catapult him to stardom. His energetic live performances and chart-topping hits like "Memphis" and "Mountain of Love" solidified his reputation as a dynamic performer and a leader in the comeback of American rock.

His first album, Live at the Whiskey a Go Go led the movement towards making live albums with their imperfections and crackling "you are there "vibrancy. Imperfection is at the heart of rock and roll. Johnny began residency at the LA Nightspot. The "scene" was switching from Liverpool to Los Angeles.. The Whiskey was at the center of that transition. Ground zero so to speak.

Johnny was 22 years old at this time. His voice had accents of Louisiana, Greenwich, and L.A. Nobody sounded quite like Johnny Rivers.

Johnny moved on to recording and production which enabled other emerging bands to take up residence at the Whiskey in Johnny's wake. Here are some of the American bands who quelled the British invasion and followed in Johnny's footsteps. 

The Byrds, known for their folk-rock and psychedelic sound, had a residency at the Whisky in the mid-1960s following Johnny. Their unique blend of folk and rock helped define the folk-rock genre and left a lasting impact on music. Their recording of Tambourine Man was the beginning of the burgeoning genre of Dylan interpretation

The Doors, fronted by Jim Morrison, became one of the most iconic rock bands of the era. They had a residency at the Whisky a Go Go in 1966, and their performances there helped them gain widespread recognition as they set the night on fire.

The Love: Love was an influential psychedelic rock band that was also part of the Whisky's house band rotation. Their fusion of rock, folk, and psychedelic elements made them a standout act during their time at the venue. Love front man Arthur Lee is even more underrated than Johnny. 

Buffalo Springfield: Buffalo Springfield featured Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Jim Messina and Richie Furay  and their residency at the Whisky contributed to the rise of folk-rock and the emergence of these four legendary musicians.

Frank Zappa and his band, The Mothers of Invention, also had a significant presence at the Whisky a Go Go in the mid-1960s. Their unique and experimental approach to rock music, blending elements of rock, jazz, and avant-garde, made them a standout act during their time at the venue.

The Mothers of Invention's residency at the Whisky a Go Go helped them gain exposure and build a dedicated following. Frank Zappa's innovative compositions and satirical lyrics set him apart from many of his contemporaries, and the Whisky provided a platform for him to showcase his groundbreaking music.

Zappa's time at the Whisky a Go Go contributed to his growing reputation as a boundary-pushing musician and composer. It was during this period that he recorded some of his early albums, including "Freak Out!" (1966) and "Absolutely Free" (1967), which are now considered classics of experimental rock.

Overall, Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention's residency at the Whisky a Go Go was a pivotal moment in their career, allowing them to explore their unique musical vision and laying the foundation for Zappa's legendary and influential career as a musician, composer, and producer.

So let's give Johnny some rub for folk rock, psychedallic, fusion rock, freak rock, and the begining of American super groups. Byrds, Doors, Mothers, Springfield, Love, CSNY, Crazy Horse, Poco, Burrito Brothers, Loggins and Messina, Eagles are all part of this connection and Johnny Rivers is not only on the same page; he's in the same paragraph which is the one you just read.

Oh yeah

After his residency at the Whiskey, , Johnny  continued to release successful albums and singles, including hits like "Secret Agent Man" and "Poor Side of Town." His ability to blend rock and roll, blues, and soul elements in his music contributed to his enduring popularity.

Along the way, Johnny was at the forefront of blue eyed soul. Blue-Eyed Soul refers to white artists who bring a soulful, rhythm and blues-influenced sound to their music. Rivers' heartfelt vocals and his ability to interpret and perform R&B and soul songs were notable features of his career. Hits like "Poor Side of Town" and "Midnight Special" showcased his soulful singing style and his genuine connection to the genre. His success in blending elements of soul and rock contributed to the popularity of Blue-Eyed Soul in the 1960s and beyond. Johnny's ability to infuse various musical influences into his work helped broaden the scope of the genre. His covers of songs by African American artists, such as Chuck Berry and Willie Dixon, helped bridge racial divides in the industry and contributed to the integration of rock and roll.

He started his own recording label, Soul City records where he discovered and recorded and produced the Fifth Dimension.  Under Rivers' guidance, The 5th Dimension released their debut album in 1966. The group went on to achieve soaring success in the late 1960s and early 1970s with hits like "Up, Up and Away" and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In."

One of the criticisms about Johnny is that he was "just a cover band guy". This is because many of his songs have been covered by cover band groups. My college band, for instance regularly played Memphis, Secret Agent Man and Seventh Son. It's not Johnny's fault. We even attempted to cover his interpretation of Stop in the Name of Love which always stopped the show. It was the only song I ever sung for the band and I tried my best to imitate Johnny's voice.

And the people danced and drank and we had imperfect fun.

We covered....Johny interpretated. Big difference.

Ask Dylan

Bob Dylan, the original songwriter and performer of "Positively 4th Street," reportedly appreciated Johnny Rivers' 1968 interpretation of the song. Rivers' version captured the spirit of the song while adding his own style to it. It's worth noting that Dylan's songs have been covered by numerous artists over the years, and Johnny Rivers' take on "Positively 4th Street" is considered one of the notable covers of Dylan's work.This recognition from Bob Dylan underscores Johnny Rivers' ability to interpret and deliver songs from a wide range of songwriters while adding his unique touch to them.

Johnny Rivers' music continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, proving the enduring power of his artistry. His songs are timeless, evoking the spirit and energy of the 1960s while remaining relevant in today's music landscape. Artists from various generations have cited Rivers as an influence, highlighting his enduring impact on the rock genre.

The late Tom Petty, a rock icon in his own right, mentioned Johnny Rivers as an influence on his music. Rivers' straightforward rock and roll style may have contributed to the sound of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. As a member of the Traveling Wilburys, Petty connects Johnny with Roy Orbison and George Harrison while underscoring his link to Dylan and providing a lik to the Beatles 

John Fogerty has acknowledged Johnny Rivers as an influence on his songwriting and music. Both artists share a love for American roots music and a knack for crafting memorable rock and roll songs. 

Bruce Springsteen, often hailed as "The Boss," has spoken about how Johnny Rivers' live album "Johnny Rivers Live at the Whisky à Go Go" influenced his own live performances. Rivers' dynamic stage presence and connection with the audience left a lasting impression on Springsteen. 

Bob Seger, known for his classic rock hits, has cited Johnny Rivers as one of the artists who influenced his music. Rivers' energetic live performances and his ability to convey emotion through his songs resonated with Seger's own style.  

John Mellencamp, known for his heartland rock sound, has acknowledged Johnny Rivers as an influence. Rivers' blend of rock and folk elements may have contributed to Mellencamp's musical approach.

These are just a few examples and Johnny's  influence on other artists extends beyond these names. His contributions to rock and roll and his ability to connect with audiences through his music have left an indelible mark on the music world, inspiring generations of musicians to follow in his footsteps.

Johnny is 82 years old now and still performing. Put him in he Hall now. If he's left out of the Hall before his death, it would be a pity and a black mark on the credibility of the Hall itself.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stands as a testament to the rich history and immense influence of rock music. It honors the artists who have made significant contributions to the genre, shaping its evolution and leaving an indelible mark on the world of music. In this context, it is bewildering that Johnny Rivers, a rock and roll legend, has not yet been inducted into the Hall of Fame.