Curtain Call with David Spatz - Guest: Johnny Rivers

Johnny Rivers is essentially Rock and Roll's secret agent man. He's somehow flown under the radar for over 50 years with nine top 10's and 17 top 40 hits. He set the standard for live rock albums with his "Johnny Rivers Live at the Whiskey A Go Go" and made that club the happening spot in LA. He produced the 5th Dimension and gave Jimmy Webb his big break. We caught up with Rivers in 2011 at a benefit concert in Margate, NJ. We were excited to sit down and talk to Rivers but then mother nature had other plans. Right before we were scheduled to do the interview, a strong storm came off the bay, destroyed our set, soaked our gear and disrupted his band's setup on stage. Luckily for us, a nearby resident offered their living room for us to do the interview in. It was then or lose the window to get it done. It made for a weird vibe with tech issues but we got an interview with an artist we greatly admire.

[@lucky5853]

One of the most talented rock and roll performers, I don't understand why he isn't in Hall of fame, certainly he left an indelible mark ,music of my teenage years and my highschool times, thank you Johnny for the memories. ♡ !!!

[@jimallison6125]

Very underrated. Should be in the Hall of Fame. Songs of an era.

[@johnreed9050]

And yet Jay-Z gets inducted before him. He biggest damn crime there is.

[@eddievanhaIen]

Fact, surreal.

[@senior_ranger]

He is, and always has been, outside the music industry "establishment." And I'm guessing he doesn't give a damn for their hall of fame.

[@tomm9493]

Johnny Rivers, if you read this, I think you are awesome. Your voice is and was so great and so unique. You sound like no one else and I mean that in a very good way. We hope your health is well and you are happy. You deserve the best of everything.

[@ebayerr]

He was 69 years old during this interview. He looked great for his age.

[@jimallison6125]

He should be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

That he isn't is a Crime! I have to wonder just who he pissed off?

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

OTOH The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, has become something of a joke. A marketing ploy.

[@terryeverson9820]

The guy looks great too for his age

[@fw1421]

The Rock Hall is an abomination.

[@shirleydunbar8825]

What a humble person, that’s why I’m a big fan of Johnny Rivers. He’s awesome

[@Tew730]

your right Shirley he seems so cool wow he wrote Secret Agent Man and put Whiskey on the map so many things he has done an amazing person without people like him music wouldnt be the same and he is wearing a hendrix t shirt whoa

[@alvarojr.339]

@@Tew730 I'm huge brazilian Johnny Rivers fan...but he didn't write Secret Agent Man...P.F.Sloan and Steve Barri wrote this song...

[@MAD2022]

@@alvarojr.339 Johnny Rivers recorded the first version "Secret agent man", is a song written by PF. Sloan and Steve Barri. The most famous recording of the song was made by Rivers for the opening titles of the American broadcast of the British spy series Danger Man, which aired in the U.S. as Secret Agent from 1964 to 1966. Rivers s version peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Canadian RPM chart, one of the biggest hits of his career. Numerous covers and adaptations have been recorded since then.

[@mysticmaverick1]

I was at that concert! I got there early and watched him during the sound check and then was so thrilled to hear him perform live for the first time. He was fantastic!

[@danaandrusik963]

At 79 he looks like 49. Vibrant performer still.

[@Cynthia00007]

This interview was in 2011. He was 68.

[@renarga6886]

He just turned 80 on November 7, 2022. 🎂🦂

[@tacobreather]

Johnny is a legend!! His songs are just the best.

[@garyedinger6609]

I grew up in Italian neighborhood near the Poconos. There was an Italian town right next to us founded by people from an Italian town northeast of Naples. These would emigrate to the American town. In 1963 a group came over. My sister embraced the older Italian people. Among those that came over in 1963 was an older couple with the son. Later I became good friends with the son. When Johnny Rivers came on the scene, I noticed s striking resemblance between him and Johnny Rivers.

[@stanbrann9591]

Excellent interview

[@teriduncan7911]

Great interview. It's exceptional when they allow the person to get into details other than the usual patter. Interesting that he and George both spoke at Carl Perkins' funeral. Also, didn't know the folklore behind The Midnight Special. Loved Johnny Rivers since the 60's. Thank you!

[@lanceauthement9015]

One of my favorite entertainers of all time.

[@marydesiree2638]

Incredible! He looks great!

[@senior_ranger]

I fell in love with him when I was in Vietnam. When I got back in '69 I had an up front seat at a little coffee house on Philadelphia's Main Line. He sat alone on a bar stool and played an acoustic guitar. That's when I learned just how great his singing voice really is!!! Sadly, this "interviewer" needs some lessons in doing interviews. I don't care what an interviewer knows or thinks he knows. A good interviewer extracts what the subject knows.

[@kathCT]

Love his music 🎶

[@kitcarson3815]

Thanks Johnny! Your music is the best! A class by itself. Love all your records!

[@vickieevans9022]

I loved Johnny Rivers when I didn't know why! He can definitely reach in and grab your heart with that voice and guitar.

[@raysmusic49]

Awesome guy! And a REAL musician!

[@martinespinosa9858]

One of the great voices

[@2510katjo]

Johnny has such a love for the blues. I bought a CD at one of his concerts and the cover was filled with him and the Beatles. He has such a smooth voice, very different from others. You knew it was him right away. All these songs they are talking about were huge hits. He was a major part of the transitioning of music and i agree, should have been in the HOF years ago. Yet Eminem is in there, go figure. THIS is rock and roll.

[@Steviepinhead]

Absolutely should be in the Hall of Fame. Let's make it happen!

[@annlapan2138]

Long lasting music, should've been acknowledged and put into the rock n roll hall of fame long ago.

[@cindyblankfield1961]

Johnny seems almost surprised at the popularity of his work--- what a guy !!!!

[@franklyterrence4860]

Well here is a guy who's popularity and success did not change him. So good to see, humble, natural, real...down to Earth person. Good for him!

[@hal511bm]

God bless you Johnny. Thank you for the many happy years.

[@zbudda]

Good to see a legend who is still alive…

[@henry-bo3np]

Johnny Rivers should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

[@user-nc6rm1rv4k]

without any doubt: one of the most outstanding singer of rock music. ALso, a great guitar player and arranger. I follow his track since i was a teenager. I never lost that love feelin for his art

[@judyjohnston2696]

Love his music yesterday and today

[@suzannelivingston6987]

Looks Great~

[@fredwiley3731]

He is too modest. He and his music survives because of his hard work and his pure talent. His covers are so much better than many originals. His body of work is just fantastic in my opinion.

[@theripper791]

He’s in my Hall of Fame

[@Tuscarora]

Wow, JR...the man!

[@philipferguson8570]

What a bloody nice guy!

[@stevencantrellzenroom7383]

Awesome guy Underrated man

[@Texasbluestunes]

Leadbelly wrote Midnight Special in Sugar Land TX at the original Central Unit. The train travels down alt Hwy 90, the tracks are 300 yds from the prison. I pass the prison and cross those tracks many times a day.

[@zyxmyk]

lead belly traveled around with this guy who collected folk songs, a really academic person from an ivy league college, named allan (?) Lomax. there's some doubt about whether leadbelly wrote that song or maybe it was just an old prison song he'd learned in prison, leadbelly must have had an incredible ear to be able to tune a twelve-string in prison without recourse to any other instrument. it makes me wonder if he had perfect pitch.

[@emilysanders8116]

You need to let the artist you are interviewing talk. You interrupt them all the time.

[@alanbeckham9093]

So many guitarists are rated as the best. They better clear it with this man before they accept.

[@renarga6886]

He looks very tired during the whole interview. I wonder why.

[@albertrobbins5021]

come down to florida

[@rochita07m]

😁👏🏼

[@irmasmith203]

Jon hates interviews.so private.

[@lincolnguy1483]

“Poor side of town”, is a fantastic song. One of the greatest songs ever written. He had a few other good ones, I guess but seems like an arrogant guy and disconnected. No ones even close to perfect though.

[@rickeykeeton4770]

“arrogant”?? I don’t get that at all.

[@whoputyouontheplanet3345]

@@rickeykeeton4770 I don't get that either. He was polite. Definitely shy.

[@renarga6886]

Not arrogant. Just tired.

[@marydesiree2638]

@@rickeykeeton4770 agree!

[@harrycraft3687]

@@rickeykeeton4770 my exact thought