The Rivieras were made up of teenagers from South Bend Central High School. Originally called the Playmates, they were forced to change their name as there was already a band with that name. They renamed themselves after an automobile, the Buick Riviera.[2] They were one of the many bands in America that became part of the frat rock movement in the early 1960s.
The Rivieras consisted of Marty "Bo" Fortson on vocals and guitar, Joe Pennell on guitar, Otto Nuss on organ, Doug Gean on bass guitar, and Paul Dennert on drums. The band had its only hit in 1964 with a cover version of the song "California Sun" by Joe Jones. It climbed the pop charts when the No. 1 song was "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles.[3]
Fortson, Pennell and Nolte left the group for the Marine Corps shortly after recording "California Sun". They were replaced by Jim Boal (lead guitar) and Willie Gaut (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Bobby Wantuch (drums). The band's manager, Bill Dobslaw, took over as lead vocalist.[2] Other members left the group under parental pressure to concentrate on education. Replacements included Jeff McKew (vocals, guitar) and Terry McCoy (drums). Rocky Geans, cousin of Doug Gean, was also a replacement that played lead/bass for over 25 years.
The band quit after two years due to the draft, changes in membership, and the shifting musical taste of the public, which was partially due to the British invasion. During the 1980s, Fortson, Gean, and Nuss reunited to perform again.[3] They recorded a 10-track vanity album to be sold at appearances.[4]
The band was revived in 2000 under the name Wildcat by Fortson, Pennell, and Dennert with Kevin Szucsits on keyboard and bass. The name, from the Buick Wildcat, followed the retirement of Gean and Nuss. With the name change came a more modern, hard rock sound.[1]
Pennell died on April 21, 2011, at the age of 66.[5] Fortson died on September 26, 2012, at age 67.[6]
Membersedit
Marty "Bo" Fortson (April 14, 1945 – September 26, 2012) — lead vocals and rhythm guitar (1962–1963)
rivieras, this, article, about, musical, group, other, uses, riviera, disambiguation, were, american, rock, band, that, formed, early, 1960s, south, bend, indiana, they, with, song, california, originsouth, bend, indiana, genresrock, surfyears, active1962, 196. This article is about the musical group For other uses see Riviera disambiguation The Rivieras were an American rock band that formed in the early 1960s in South Bend Indiana They had a hit with the song California Sun The RivierasOriginSouth Bend Indiana U S GenresRock surfYears active1962 1966 2000 2010LabelsRiviera Columbia Vogue SchallplattenPast membersPaul Dennert Marty Fortson Joe Pennell Doug Gean Otto Nuss Jim Boal Willie Gaut Bill Dobslaw Terry McCoy Bobby Wantuch Jeff McKew Stanley Chip Baginski Rocky GeansWebsiterivieras wbr tripod wbr com Contents 1 History 2 Members 3 Discography 3 1 Albums 3 2 Singles 4 References 5 External linksHistory editThe Rivieras were made up of teenagers from South Bend Central High School Originally called the Playmates they were forced to change their name as there was already a band with that name They renamed themselves after an automobile the Buick Riviera 2 They were one of the many bands in America that became part of the frat rock movement in the early 1960s The Rivieras consisted of Marty Bo Fortson on vocals and guitar Joe Pennell on guitar Otto Nuss on organ Doug Gean on bass guitar and Paul Dennert on drums The band had its only hit in 1964 with a cover version of the song California Sun by Joe Jones It climbed the pop charts when the No 1 song was I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles 3 Fortson Pennell and Nolte left the group for the Marine Corps shortly after recording California Sun They were replaced by Jim Boal lead guitar and Willie Gaut vocals rhythm guitar and Bobby Wantuch drums The band s manager Bill Dobslaw took over as lead vocalist 2 Other members left the group under parental pressure to concentrate on education Replacements included Jeff McKew vocals guitar and Terry McCoy drums Rocky Geans cousin of Doug Gean was also a replacement that played lead bass for over 25 years The band quit after two years due to the draft changes in membership and the shifting musical taste of the public which was partially due to the British invasion During the 1980s Fortson Gean and Nuss reunited to perform again 3 They recorded a 10 track vanity album to be sold at appearances 4 The band was revived in 2000 under the name Wildcat by Fortson Pennell and Dennert with Kevin Szucsits on keyboard and bass The name from the Buick Wildcat followed the retirement of Gean and Nuss With the name change came a more modern hard rock sound 1 Pennell died on April 21 2011 at the age of 66 5 Fortson died on September 26 2012 at age 67 6 Members editMarty Bo Fortson April 14 1945 September 26 2012 lead vocals and rhythm guitar 1962 1963 Doug Gean bass guitar 1962 Joe Pennell guitar 1962 1963 Otto Nuss organ 1962 1966 Paul Dennert drums 1962 1964 Stanley Chip Baginski drums Bill Dobslaw lead vocals 1963 Willy Gaut vocals rhythm guitar 1963 1965 Jim Boal lead guitar 1963 1965 Bobby Wantuch drums John Swoveland bass guitar 1966 1967 Discography editAlbums edit Let s Have a Party 1964 Campus Party Riviera 1965 7 Singles edit Played On California Sun Riviera 1964 California Sun H B Goose Step Riviera 1964 Let s Have a Party Little Donna Riviera 1964 Rockin Robin Battle Line Riviera 1964 Whole Lotta Shakin Rip It Up Riviera 1965 Whole Lotta Shakin Whole Lotta Shakin Riviera 1965 Let s Go to Hawaii Lakeview Lane Riviera 1965 Somebody New Somebody Asked Me Riviera 1965 Never Feel the Pain Bug Juice Riviera 1965 California Sun Little Donna Back in the Sun Riviera 1965 California Sun 65 References edit a b Howard Dukes 2011 04 22 Friends bands honor Rivieras singer Articles southbendtribune com Retrieved 2016 07 17 a b The Rivieras Rockabilly nl 1964 01 25 Retrieved 2011 12 08 a b Koda Cub The Rivieras AllMusic Retrieved 17 October 2018 The Rivieras Rockabilly nl 1964 01 25 Retrieved 2016 07 17 Doc Rock 2011 January to June The Dead Rock Stars Club Retrieved 2016 07 17 Martin F Fortson Obituary View Martin Fortson s Obituary by South Bend Tribune Legacy com Retrieved 2016 07 17 The Rivieras Album Discography AllMusic AllMusic Retrieved 17 October 2018 External links editThe Rivieras discography at Discogs nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Rivieras amp oldid 1217086802, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
