Johnny Rivers

• Genre: '60s Oldies
• Hometown: New York

About

Southern-born, Los Angeles-based Rivers is the living embodiment of the swinging Sunset Strip scene of the mid-1960s. In 1964 the singer/guitarist had a record-breaking residency at the famed Whiskey A-Go-Go, where he and his very tight, rocking band would pack them in for night after night of Chuck Berry-inspired rock and southern soul. Rivers held his own against the British invasion, having a huge hit with Berry's "Memphis," and later with his signature "Secret Agent Man". As well as having a long string of hit singles to his name, Rivers is a quintessential music business insider in the best sense. He was instrumental in supporting the early career of songwriter Jimmy Webb, and he founded the influential Dunhill Records, the home of the Mammas & the Papas, Steppenwolf, and others.

- Tom Heyman