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Quiz about The Life and Hits of Johnny Rivers
Quiz about The Life and Hits of Johnny Rivers

The Life and Hits of Johnny Rivers Quiz


Johnny Rivers scored several hits throughout the sixties. This quiz concerns his life and career.

A multiple-choice quiz by shanteyman. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
shanteyman
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
350,921
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
193
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Johnny was born in New York City and moved to Louisiana when he was young. What was his name at birth? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Johnny Rivers changed him name in 1958 upon the advice of which famous New York based disc jockey? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which Louisiana native and legendary guitarist for Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley convinced Ricky to record a Johnny Rivers composition in 1960? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Johnny Rivers landed a steady gig at the famed Whisky a Go Go on Sunset Strip in 1964. Which cover tune was his first Top Ten US single released the same year? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In 1966 Johnny began a transition from the "Go Go" genre to ballads. Which ballad became his first Number One single in the US? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Johnny Rivers performed at The Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967 dressed in a fur vest and sporting a Beatle haircut while singing "Help".


Question 7 of 10
7. Johnny Rivers founded Soul City Records in 1966 and earned a Grammy Award for producing which group that had a hits including "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In"? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Which Four Tops release did Johnny Rivers record and take to Number Three in the US in 1967? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Which variety show that premiered in 1973 featured Johnny Rivers singing the theme song and also acting as an occasional host? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which US television show theme song did Johnny Rivers have a US Number Three hit with in 1966? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Johnny was born in New York City and moved to Louisiana when he was young. What was his name at birth?

Answer: John Ramistella

Johnny Rivers was born John Henry Ramistella in New York City in 1942.He learned guitar from his father and other family members then began playing in bands while in junior high. He formed a band called The Rockets featuring Dick Holler. Holler would go on to compose songs such as "Abraham, Martin and John" and "Snoopy vs.

The Red Baron". When Johnny was 14 he formed a band called The Spades and made his first recording for the Suede label titled "Hey Little Girl".
2. Johnny Rivers changed him name in 1958 upon the advice of which famous New York based disc jockey?

Answer: Alan Freed

Alan Freed suggested Johnny change his name and assisted Rivers in getting contract with Gone Records. Rivers engaged an attorney to change his name to Rivers, a reference to the Mississippi River that ran through Louisiana.
He released singles on the Gone label including "Your First And Last Love" and "Baby Come Back" through 1959 but none were successful.
He returned to Louisiana where he met Hank Williams' first wife, Audrey. She assisted him in relocating to Nashville where he worked as a demo singer and songwriter.
3. Which Louisiana native and legendary guitarist for Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley convinced Ricky to record a Johnny Rivers composition in 1960?

Answer: James Burton

After James Burton arranged for Ricky Nelson to record one of Johnny Rivers' songs in 1960 Johnny relocated to California the following year and worked as a session musician and songwriter. "I'll Make Believe" was recorded on Ricky's 1960 album "More Songs By Ricky".
In 1963 he hired on as a temporary replacement for a group at a night club owned by Bill Gazzarri that ended up becoming a one year engagement. Burton would go on to perform with Elvis for several years.
Tennessee native Scotty Moore was Elvis' original guitar player. Nokie Edwards played guitar for The Ventures. Tommy Allsup was the guitar player on the tour at the time that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Booper died. Edwards and Allsup are both Oklahoma natives.
4. Johnny Rivers landed a steady gig at the famed Whisky a Go Go on Sunset Strip in 1964. Which cover tune was his first Top Ten US single released the same year?

Answer: Memphis

A cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis" broke Johnny as a national artist. The song was a single release from his 1964 "Johnny Rivers Live At The Whisky A Go Go" album. The album was recorded over two nights in a mobile studio. It managed to reach Number 12 on the US album charts despite the onset of the British Invasion. Johnny's version of "Memphis" fared better that the original by Chuck Berry did when it was released in 1959. Johnny Rivers later recorded a version of Berry's "Maybellene" from his "Here We a Go Go Again!" LP that reached Number 12 in the US. "Midnight Special" topped out at Number 20 for Johnny in 1965. "Seventh Son" was a 1965 Top Ten for Johnny and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" reached Number 26 in 1965.
5. In 1966 Johnny began a transition from the "Go Go" genre to ballads. Which ballad became his first Number One single in the US?

Answer: Poor Side of Town

"Poor Side Of Town" became Johny Rivers' highest selling single and his only Number One record in the US. Johnny Rivers and Lou Adler composed the song that featured Fanita James, Darlene Love and Jean King, formerly known as The Blossoms, on baking vocals. The song was a single release from his "Changes" album.
"Mountain of Love" was a 1964 Top Ten single for Johnny from his "In Action" album. "(I Washed My Hands In) Muddy Water" was a 1966 cover of a 1965 Stonewall Jackson recording. "Summer Rain" was written by James Hendricks of The Mugwumps. Johnny's version went to Number 14 in 1968.
6. Johnny Rivers performed at The Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967 dressed in a fur vest and sporting a Beatle haircut while singing "Help".

Answer: True

Rivers actually appeared at The Monterey International Pop Festival in a fur vest and Beatle haircut. He sang "Help" and "Help Me Rhonda". Johnny Rivers and Lou Adler were among the entertainers and producers instrumental in promoting and producing the concert. Johnny was the fifth act to perform on Friday, June 16, the opening day of the festival. He was followed by Eric Burden then Simon and Garfunkel closed the evening.
Johnny was not well received in his different attire and was actually booed during his performance.
7. Johnny Rivers founded Soul City Records in 1966 and earned a Grammy Award for producing which group that had a hits including "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In"?

Answer: The 5th Dimension

"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" and "Wedding Bell Blues" were two Number One releases by The 5th Dimension on Johnny Rivers' Soul City label. Johnny Rivers was one of the first labels to release a Jimmy Webb composition when The 5th Dimension recorded "Up, Up, and Away". Al Wilson was another Soul City recording artist and Johnny also released singles on his label including "Swayin to the Music (Slow Dancin')".
Johnny sold the label to Bell Records in 1970.
"Sunday Will Never Be the Same" was a big hit for Spanky and the Gang. Chairmen of the Board released "Give Me Just A Little More Time" and "Pay To The Piper". The Turtles released "Happy Together" in 1967.
8. Which Four Tops release did Johnny Rivers record and take to Number Three in the US in 1967?

Answer: Baby I Need Your Lovin'

"Baby I Need Your Lovin'" was a single from Johnny's 1967 "Rewind" album. It was originally released in 1964 by The Four Tops. The Motown writing team of Holland, Dozier and Holland composed the song. It was The Four Tops' first Motown single release and reached Number 11.
Besides Johnny Rivers other artists who have recorded the song include The Supremes on their "The Supremes A' Go Go" album, The Fourmost, O.C. Smith and Eric Carmen.
"The Tracks of My Tears" was a Top Ten single for Johnny Rivers the same year. It was originally done in 1965 by The Miracles. "Look to Your Soul" was a 1968 Rivers release that only made it to Number 49. "These Are Not My People" came out the following year and topped out at Number 55.
9. Which variety show that premiered in 1973 featured Johnny Rivers singing the theme song and also acting as an occasional host?

Answer: The Midnight Special

Johny Rivers' rendition of the traditional Folk song, "Midnight Special", was selected as the theme song for the "The Midnight Special" variety show. The show was conceived by Burt Sugarman to air after "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" when most stations went off the air. Unable to convince networks to air the show Sugarman bought the airtime with the help of Chevrolet's sponsorship. When the show became successful NBC began producing it. John Denver hosted the premier episode and Johnny Rivers occasionally hosted the show during the first season. Wolfman Jack eventually became a permanent host.
The first known written reference to the "Midnight Special" song was made in 1905 by Howard Odum. Sam Collins recorded the tune in 1927 as "The Midnight Special Blues" on Gennett Records five years before Leadbelly recorded his well-known version in prison.
"Shindig", "Music Scene" and "Hullabaloo" were all sixties musical variety shows.
10. Which US television show theme song did Johnny Rivers have a US Number Three hit with in 1966?

Answer: Secret Agent

"Secret Agent Man" was recorded live in 1966 at the Whisky A Go Go. Some studio production enhancement was added before the single was released and used on the television show. Songwriter Chuck Day was inspired by the James Bond theme song when he wrote "Secret Agent Man". The show was based on a British television show titled "Danger Man". Johnny released the song from his live 1966 "And I Know You Wanna Dance" album.
When Rivers was initially invited to record the theme he was not sure his vocals would be appropriate for the song. The original television version only had one verse so verses had to be added when the single was released. The show was aired as "Secret Agent" (1964) in the US.
"Mission: Impossible" (1966) featured a Lalo Schifrin instrumental theme. "I Spy" (1965) featured a different theme each episode and Jerry Goldsmith composed the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964) theme.
Source: Author shanteyman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
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