John Henry Ramistella (of Italian ethnicity) was born in New York City in 1942, but grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He learned to sing and play guitar at a very young age. By the time he was about 12 or 13 years old, he was playing in a band. At age 14, he formed his own band.
He met Alan Freed, a well-known disc jockey who promoted rock and roll music, in 1958. Allegedly, Freed is the one who recommended changing Ramistella to Rivers.
Johnny Rivers storied career as a singer, songwriter, and producer greatly influenced popular music. At the peak of his fame in 1966, he formed his own recording label, Soul City Records. Rivers used the label and his connections to help other singers and songwriters get their start, the 5th Dimension being probably the most famous example.
1964
Memphis (2:45)
1964
Maybellene (2:18)
1964
Mountain of Love (2:40)
1965
Midnight Special (2:33)
1965
Seventh Son (2:54)
1965
Where Have All the Flowers Gone (3:48)
1966
Secret Agent Man (3:06)
1966
Poor Side of Town (3:39)
1967
Baby I Need Your Lovin’ (3:11)
1967
The Tracks of My Tears (3:01)
1967
Summer Rain (3:36)
1972
Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu (3:31)
1977
Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancin’) (4:04)
