Johnny Rivers - Poor Side Of Town

Johnny Rivers is a unique figure in the history of rock music. On the most obvious level, he was a rock star of the 1960s and a true rarity as a white American singer/guitarist who made a name for himself as a straight-ahead rock & roller during the middle of that decade. Just as important behind the scenes, his recordings and their success led to the launching, directly and indirectly, of at least three record labels and a dozen other careers whose influence extended into the 1970s, 1980s, and beyond.
Rivers was very much a kindred spirit to figures like Buddy Holly and Ronnie Hawkins, with all of the verve and spirit of members of that first wave of rock & rollers. He had the misfortune of having been born a little too late to catch that wave, however, and took until the middle of the next decade to find his audience. Born John Henry Ramistella on November 7, 1942, in New York, his family moved to Baton Rouge, LA, in 1948, and it was there that his musical sensibilities were shaped. His father, who played the mandolin and guitar, introduced him to the guitar at an early age, and he proved a natural on the instrument.
Meanwhile, Ramistella also began absorbing the R&B sounds that were starting to turn up on the airwaves at the dawn of the 1950s. Additionally, he got to see performers like Fats Domino and Jimmy Reed in person, and by the time he entered his teens, he was immersed in rhythm & blues. He was also good enough to start playing guitar in local groups and at age 13, he formed his own band, the Spades, playing New Orleans-flavored R&B and rock & roll, especially Fats Domino, Larry Williams, and Little Richard. Ramistella made his recording debut leading the Spades in 1956 with the song "Hey Little Girl," issued on the Suede label.
In 1957, he went to New York and wangled a meeting with Alan Freed, who was then the most influential disc jockey in the country. This led to a change of name, at Freed's suggestion, to the less ethnic, more American-mythic Johnny Rivers (which may also have been influenced by the fact that Elvis Presley had portrayed a character named "Deke Rivers" in the movie Loving You that same year), and to a series of single releases under his new name. Johnny Rivers' official recording debut took place with an original song, "Baby Come Back," on George Goldner's Gone Records label in 1958, arranged by renowned songwriter Otis Blackwell. Neither this number -- which sounds a lot like Elvis Presley's version of Blackwell's "Don't Be Cruel" -- nor any of Rivers' other early singles, recorded for Guyden, Cub, Era, or Chancellor, was successful. He made his living largely performing with the Spades and cutting demos of songs for Hill & Range, primarily in Elvis Presley's style.
It was as a composer that Rivers experienced his first taste of success off of the stage, when a chance meeting with guitarist James Burton led to one of his songs, "I'll Make Believe," finding its way to Ricky Nelson and ending up on the album More Songs by Ricky. By 1961, he was 18 years old and a veteran performer with six years' professional performing under his belt and relatively little to show for it except the experience; even a lot of the established figures in the business who'd tried to give him various breaks over the years, including Alan Freed and George Goldner, had fallen on hard times by then. He moved to Los Angeles and began aiming for a career as a songwriter and producer.
Fate played its hand in 1963, however, when a friend who ran a restaurant in Los Angeles appealed to Rivers for help when his house band, a jazz group, suddenly quit. He reluctantly agreed to perform for a few nights in a stripped-down version of his rock & roll act, with just his electric guitar and a drummer, Eddie Rubin. That was when lightning struck -- it turned out that audiences at the restaurant liked the way he sang and played, and soon the crowds were growing and his performing stint turned into an open-ended engagement. Bassist Joe Osborn was hired to join the combo and fill out the sound and suddenly seeing Johnny Rivers was becoming the thing to do. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: john1948.wikifoundry.com/page/...

[@Dons166]

Great decade of music

[@AdrianoPedrasPreciosas]

Isto é uma obra de arte ,👏

[@robertoluiz8094]

Johnny Rivers is very known in South America, mainly in Brazil where he came down many times for concerts. Johnny is one of the greatest.

[@amandadonatelli7977]

Amo ...❤

[@patrickdave25]

Adoro essa música dele

[@esthergarcia1373]

This song brought me back to tears of joy and tenderness, something that is greatly missed during 2023. ❤️🙏🏻💎🥰

[@randem6838]

"The Poor Side of Town" is one of my favorites of all time. I grew up outdoors at the beach, at the park, in the woods... transistor radio playing music. Every time I heard the opening of this song I had to turn it up, and was always bummed when it was over. Thanks for keeping music like this alive.

[@shirleypena4133]

INCREDIBLE song, a timeless classic!

[@edwardcvelbar1037]

I was in.the Army 20 yrs old 1966 VNM when I heard this . Really touched my Soul .

[@alicebrenenstahl4436]

I grew up with these songs. So easy to relax and just 🎶 listen

[@stevelogan5475]

Words cannot describe this man's talent

[@johnwilliams640]

Its sad this guy isn't in the rock and roll hall of fame. Hope he makes it one day. Good Luck.

[@sylviakruger5000]

Love this song from 1966! I have the 45 record, 1966 is probably my favorite year for collecting 45s!

[@MarcosBryant-lj8zi]

What do you admire most about Johnny

[@judyjohnston2696]

Best singer in the 60s.

[@Dave-lq2le]

It's now June 25, 2024. It's hard to believe he's 81 years old. His " Live at the Whiskey A Go-Go" album still gets played on my stereo!!❤

[@janetbrowntlc]

My favorite song every since the first time I heard it as a young teen .Johnny Rivers was 16 yrs old when he co wrote Poor Side Of Town with Lou Adler. He took some of the money he made from it and bought his mama and daddy a new house. I love every song Johnny ever recorded. Didn't matter if it was a cover, once he recorded it...he owned it ! Johnny Rivers has and will remain my number 2 singer right under Elvis until the last breath in my body is gone. As I sit here I look to my soul and think of the tracks of my tears , as I remember summer rain. I wish life had a rewind button, I'd hit it hard and go back to those days. Best days of my life only I couldn't see it then.Well, I see it now.

[@stringalongmike1953]

Music will never be this good again.

[@edweichsler5051]

A tragedy if ever there was one

[@pkappel006]

Stringalong Mike Amen

[@siemonjf]

nothing ever is

[@jwdjwd9451]

Amen to that

[@lobo7792]

Stringalong Mike It's good to you and me because of all the good memories right? But to some kid, he could care less. Those fleeting great memories that seem to push out the bad ones. Right?

[@greenbeagle13]

Whenever I watch these old videos and see the young men, it strikes me that many of them never made it back from Vietnam. For some reason this song takes me back more than many of the other 1960 songs I grew up with. Not sure why... 🙄🙄

[@douglasfulton7611]

Absolutely beautiful

[@davecyr1063]

This song locks 1966 into my head forever. Innocent times ... growing up, starting to discover the world ... and listening to the wide variety of MAGICAL sounds that constituted "pop" music back then - so vibrant, so rich, and with such substance. I'm so glad to have grown up during those times. Thank you, Johnny Rivers, for delivering to us such great music - including this song, which is an absolute gem, in my opinion.

[@thomaselferis9958]

Amen to that comment..I grew up tough and in love to some of the greatest music ever produced and song by some of the greatest artist to ever grace the stage of our music.

[@chrisahearn1735]

me too

[@lpickeral]

Check out the live version.

[@rogerpr364]

Dave Cyr! I'm born 1956 and grew up within musicians famaly! I Feel the same way!! I'm also part of a garage band and R&R R&Blues is all we play and no one gets tired playing does songs Love that mid 50's up To mid 70's era! as it goes for music!

[@BleedBNG]

This is probably one of the best produced singles ever.

[@philipcollins408]

Always impressed by the orchestral arrangements of strings and wind instruments on this track.And the chorus near the end: "So tell me, how much you love me... Come near to me, and say you need me now." , just brilliant !♥️

[@kevinkool3]

Backup voices of The Blossoms (Darlene Love)...Backup instrumentals courtesy of The Wrecking Crew who contributed to many artists' hits in the 60's. (The Ronettes, Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys etc)

[@judyhorn6715]

Love , love this song

[@MrJohnnyBeGood58]

"to him you were nothing but aa little play thing, to me you were the greatest thing this boy had ever found" Love these words and the way he sings it.

[@judyjohnston2696]

Love these words too

[@franktroiano1381]

One of my favourite songs from the 60's--so moving, touching--Johnny you're the best!

[@78miker]

NOW IN MY 70"S THIS WAS THE VERY BEST TIME OF MY LIFE, THE 60's WERE THE GREATEST. THE BEST WORK, GOOD PEOPLE, CARS WERE CHEAP AND FUN TO DRIVE. I MET MY WIFE AND SOME OF THE GREATEST MUSIC EVER. I WISH I COULD GO BACK IN TIME. SO ALL WE CAN DO IS LOOK AT THE VIDEOS AND PICTURES, WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW GREAT THOSE YEARS WERE.

[@duaineculver1242]

M. MIKER kids today just can't seem to get it, harmonious combination with the right instruments there's nothing like it today and may never be again

[@mtnman6557]

Agree w/ everything except the 2nd part of your last statement. I'm in my mid 60's now & I knew the 50's & 60's were special while we were living them; it was such a good time! However, I didn't know those wonderful times would end so soon.

[@roberthouston8463]

M. MIKER i Couldn't Agree More🌋

[@connieroberson3814]

M. MIKER I’m 70 now, graduated 67. Those were the best years for everything! My daddy had a car without a radio! No problem, I hung my transistor radio from the rear view mirror!! I often remember how good the times were back then! Just wish I’d appreciated more back then! When you’re young you think it’s going to last forever!

[@stringalongmike1953]

The memories from this time come roaring back when I hear this song. This song is so beautiful - the words and music are perfect. It sounds like angels are singing in the background.

[@nancytobey9870]

One of my Favorite songs! Love his music!❤️

[@danielharness7974]

THE TIMES OF THE 60S AND 70S AND THE SONGS OF THAT ERA NEVER TO BE REPEATED AGAIN !!!....

[@olblu8746]

The 50s were just as good too.

[@danielmesery2904]

Never gets old

[@RebeccaLaLone-pw6cg]

Makes me happy, when I listen to him.

[@33blazer10]

Great song of Johnny's! And then there's Darlene Love and The Blossoms doing backing vocals and the Wrecking Crew as the music. This is a wonderful can't miss hit that sends chills up my spine!!

[@carlosroberto977]

Traduzir para o português

[@aureamartins2802]

Esse vocal é um espetáculo nessa música

[@jerrylewis2391]

One of my favorite songs of all time

[@vieannajohnson3863]

I love it also never get tired of Johnny Rivers and the memories of those songs

[@flaviofarias6262]

Jony Rivers. Eterno nome da boa música. Essa música é inesquecível.Nunca será apagada da história da arte. Sobretudo da arte de cantar e compor.

[@vanioalveslimaalves920]

Boa musica!!!! Época que não volta!

[@izzigogo]

Sweet memories................. thanks

[@perilobo]

Volta as lembranças de uma juventude feliz e sadia, ouvindo as canções de Johnny Rivers, pelos cantos de uma cidade pequena.Brasil. Amamos Johnny.

[@deniseestes5197]

Just love this song

[@williamemunar2416]

Wow, later......the most pluses I did so far, I just luv what u posted, 😊😊😊😊😊

[@deniseestes5197]

william munar Thank you so much.

[@mariobermeo109]

Denise Estes s. DENISE. Gratos recuerdos del café Taurino. En Atzcapot. 1965. Sec, noct No XX. Tlalpujahua

[@DeborahLowe9]

Denise Estes me to

[@candywhite5101]

So do I

[@singluna888]

Good old days. Great music!

[@jenny0184]

I saw Johnny Rivers in Boston at the Charles River Esplanade over 20 years ago. Even got an autograph on T-Shirt--he seemed almost shy (as some of us vied to get to the table!). Very handsome--even as he got older. His voice sounded just like his records--incredible! One of my favorites was 'Secret Agent Man'. There was an oldies radio station who put about 6 different groups together during the summer and almost all were incredible! I miss those days!!!

[@catg5222]

Quantos bailinhos em casa de amigos, quantas paqueras, quantos amores ao som de Johnny Rivers. Não trocaria jamais minha época por esta.

[@antoniolemos8352]

Eu concordo plenamente com vc?

[@carlosfernandosantossilva9389]

amo essa musica fico reparando no jeito simples e doce das garotas dequele tempo..valeu cara matou minha SAUDADE

[@giornosmusic5556]

APAIXONANTE!!!!

[@lobo7792]

For God’s sake, when is this talent going to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Clock is ticking.

[@manoelamanuca4239]

Amo muito!

[@stillstanding6031]

Fabulous song/singer with fabulous back up by Darlene Love and the Blossoms.

[@Dragonetti1976]

This Song is So Beautiful, it makes me cry inside, reminds me of my past life with women I loved, now single dad, yet I rock this song in karaoke, it moves my soul...

[@lourdemenezessantos5857]

Na verdade eu amoooo w mto essa música desde sempre t amo jone Rivers t amoooooo❤💖

[@mariadasgracasalvesdealmei9231]

Só musica linda, dos meus melhores anos de vida

[@JoseRaimundo-mb9bu]

Essa machuca o coração!!!linda música!!!

[@rossogden9920]

Hard to understand how he's not in the R&R Hall of fame.

[@randallkennedy2589]

What a great performance by Johnny with the 5th Dimension

[@rascal211]

1966 was a great year in music. So many great soul songs you never heard came out in 1966.

[@Mariaap195]

Minha preferida ❤❤

[@lucioflorenzzo2732]

Que maravilha, fico aqui imaginando, caramba que dias maravilhosos! Pena que esse dia terminou o tempo passou e só restou saudades.

[@antoniostile5790]

Tempos dourados Bela cancao Viajem ao passado Muitas saudades

[@turismounespar7236]

melhor epoca para os jovens,inesquecivel...

[@lourdemenezessantos5857]

Q pena q n voltamos mais e q saudadeeeeee

[@maurodeoliveiramatias1020]

Essa é linda, eterna.

[@cathythompson7959]

just love this song!

[@henriqueprestes2546]

nao canso de ouvir bons tenpos .

[@fucku1495]

I blast my speakers 🔊🔊😊on that one.

[@nathanielmack1687]

Together we can make it, baby, from the poor side of town...

[@arineteaires9114]

Essa musica faz lembrar o passado. Legal boas lembranças.

[@robertnycguyraisedonrecord7587]

Beautiful song by the great Johnny Rivers.

[@clydekimsey7503]

My favorite by him.

[@dianeshears4858]

They don't write songs like this anymore. I rediscovered it recently and was awed by the artistry. Genius.

[@vangillis]

THEY DONT MAKE SONGS LIKE THIS ANYMORE. THANK YOU

[@randyryan7717]

Bill Gillis why

[@randyryan7717]

Bill Gillis iz it the music. the words. The age of the listener i would sit and listen to 50 thru80s stuff allday but its like cars every yr gets a new model but who am i ...69yrs old. and living in the past

[@marioeugeniodasilva2763]

Muzicá. Dos. Anos. Yes

[@lianelayman7577]

I consider it a sad song.

[@mikewhite9818]

Bill Gillis All caps lowers the quality of your post.

Que música linda!!!!

[@AnnetteRMakil]

I was born in 1960, grew up with the oldies, I never knew the names of the artists but I knew alot of these songs. Thanks

[@robertoyukumoto6161]

1 .

[@ronniegregg5182]

I grew upon J R,,s songs and learn them all on guitar.

[@rosaalejandro1394]

💕 One of my favorite songs by Johnny Rivers. Awesome great song..💕

[@mommaroach1319]

grew up dancing to these songs...I still have 2 of Johnny Rivers Albums

[@esthergarcia1373]

Never get tired of hearing Johnny Rivers smooth silky voice in this song. Oh the memories❣️🥰💎

[@lucianoneira4117]

Na minha opinião é uma das musicas mais bonitas de Johnny Rivers

[@neuzinhag.dejs.5615]

Saudade do meu povo..era criança e tinha todos do meu lado..tempo bom.

[@roblabow9702]

A truly romantic song by the great Johnny Rivers. This is pure Americana and elicits a sense of wonder and spirituality. Many songs through the 60`s to today compared to this to me are crap.

[@alexgotiken9631]

So young and so talented, this song seems to have been composed by someone of greater age and maturity of life.

[@JJAH28]

My parents had the 45 record of Poor Side of Town that my brother and I used to listen too. As kids we loved our parents music even before we liked anything modern. Now our parents are gone but just listening to this I can imagine them in their younger years. Makes me happy and depressed at the same time.

[@johnheinrich6907]

I still have my 45, still in it’s record jacket

[@bobolinkgieske8485]

GREAT HISTORY OF THIS ARTIST SIR😎

[@johnvandommelen6998]

Adored this song long before I ever knew who sang it..... and now, I'm living it.... much to my chagrin....but I'll always adore it.....always !

[@julieannkuster1999]

I love this song JOHNNY is so fantastic I love his VOICE THE words THE BK UP SINGERS OHMYGOSH JOHNNY you should be in hall of FAME!!👍🙏❤

[@jthomas8265]

Beautiful song. AMERICAN BANDSTAND(1956-1984)was the best show on TV,bar none. Dick Clark was the greatest and there will never be another like him. RIP Dick. You certainly will always be missed. Dick gave a lot of stars their starts and beginnings.

[@John1948SevenD]

+J thomas I agree 100%. I always say that the three people who had he most impact on the birth of Rock and Roll, not counting performers, were Dick Clark, Alan Freed and Sam Phillips!

[@patrickwalton7728]

Fantastic Show! Lots of great memories of so many great artist...no other show now....Loved the dancing too.

[@duaineculver1242]

on poor side of town @the 2:35 mark is a very beautiful girl if you look real close you can see the actress areal kebble from the films of 2015,16,17 I would swear this girl is a direct descendant of some kind grandmother or possibly great grandmother. although the girl in the video has dark brown hair and aerial kebble is sort of blonde the face is an exact match I would bet my paycheck on it. hope those of you who have a chance look up this modern actress put her face next to the girl dancing to poor side of town.

[@kathyfugitt4733]

yes he did. what wonderful soul he was ,! He probably save a million souls by having American bandstand on every afternoon loved him so !

[@arthurweems2839]

Actually 1956-1989

[@timothysines3258]

That's what I call good listening, No one can never play Johnny Rivers songs the way this man can sing it.

[@TheMymusic82]

Rivers is one in in a million.

[@homersmith1846]

this is probably my favorite song of all time.

[@reyknudson7091]

A Longtime favorite of mine by Johnny Rivers! Thanks for Sharing! R.K. 3/9/2021.

[@paulmc3457]

Instant memory trigger, and I was so young, but it really stands the test of time.

[@gmajorspresents]

What a big beautiful hit for Johnny back in the day.

[@WaubeekStreet]

A wonderful presentation of sentimental music combined with the innocence of youth . . . .

[@adrianabalestero5311]

linda amoooo

[@vsa8820]

cresci escutando esses classicos assim como outras bandas na epoca era fita cassete disco que saudades desse tempo que passou hoje em dia o que resta e um mundo sem amor cheio de pessoas de mal com a vida

[@jericheshire7909]

You got that right 👍❤

[@nyterpfan]

Man my heart just melts when I hear that beautiful, haunting flute in the background---sounds like the mournful cry of a bird!!

[@tudorbug1390]

+nyterpfan I have the sort of same reaction. I've been around the edges of music and wonder if it really is a flute. I listened and listened and began to suspect that it is a piccolo which is a small flute, half size of a standard flute, that plays an octave higher than a standard flute. I'm not sure tho'.

[@tudorbug1390]

+nyterpfan But the greater question is, who is this wonderful musician who could play this flute, or piccolo, so delightfully well? What is his or her name? Is he or she known for any other wonderful effort?

[@John1948SevenD]

+Tudorbug It was the great James Ronald "Jim" Horn (born November 20, 1940), an American saxophonist, woodwind player, and session musician.

[@tudorbug1390]

+John1948SevenD Thank you ever so much. And, of course, the flute (standard, not piccolo) player in "Canned Heat's "Going up the Country" well known from Woodstock and many more credits listed in his Wiki page.

[@duaineculver1242]

nyterpfan something touches the soul like good or in this case great lyrics and musical arrangements

[@samshumaker6121]

Absolutely golden!

[@billlawlor4858]

One of his greatest songs. I love this guy.

[@rockinhank1]

When I feel sad about my past I will play this tune to inspire me!

[@henriqueprestes2546]

Bons,tempos que era só paz e amor.

[@petegrape3872]

Great tune ! Perfect rhythm. Many thanks for this 1

[@maurodeoliveiramatias1020]

Clâssico, um dos maiores cantores de todos os tempos, anos 60, tempo de inocência e respeito com as mûsicas, que tempo maravilhoso, em 10 canções 08 eram do mais alto nîvel.

[@gisleinevieira5764]

Vdd cara!!! 😔

[@JoseMaria-js6bx]

musica imortal dos anos 60...linda demais.

[@mhgaffney]

Have to agree with the comments below. I always loved hearing Johnny Rivers sing his songs, especially this masterpiece. The story it tells, the arrangement, the soul quality, his epic voice and originality, all so special. Can't believe he's not in the Rock'n Roll hall of fame.

[@donaldwhittler4521]

CANT COUNT THE TIMES IVE HEARD THIS ONE.PLAY IT AGAIN PLEASE.

[@MysticalMoonBaby80]

Johnny 💗 Rivers 😍

[@rudyabeyta9837]

Memories of home, Mom, Dad and siblings. It was great dreaming of things to come then; things that would come true and not. Great song.