gmarkum2007, your uncle did not write California Sun. It was written by Morris Levy and Henry Glover. The original version was released in 1961 by New Orleans singer Joe Jones. The Rivieras version was released in 1964.
I didn't knoiw this had lyrics (only knew the Rockin' Rebels version). There is an instrumental break here, but it is not the same as the Rockin' Rebels.
what's with the negative comments? first time i've ever heard this and i LOVE it! great teenage sound, "California Sun organ throughout, Ritchie Valens guitar break! Rivieras Rule!
My ears!!! How could the band that gave us "California SUn" crank out this noise? The drummer must be high! He's caught on the back beat! And the lyrics make the words to "Surfer Joe" seem like aFrost poem!
Wow! I've never heard this version before! In fact, I never knew there were lyrics, I thought it was an instrumental or did they add the words themselves???
@gopherscout Me either, it is o-k I guess, but I prefer the instrumental version. You know, I also never knew "Ghost Riders in the Sky" was originally a vocal song, but I guess, you learn something every day, but personally, I think the instrumental versions of those songs are better, I might offend, great vocals on both though.
@horrorshow20000 You learn something new every day! I like both versions.You are entitled to your opinion & don't worry as I'm not offended that you like the instrumental versions better!
@gopherscout to the best of my knowledge, the Rivieras performed the version with lyrics first (as heard here), then the Rockin' Rebels did an instrumental out of it. The same sort of thing with "Ghost Riders in the Sky" (Ramrods), "Memphis" (Lonnie Mack), "Grazing in the Grass" (Hugh Masekela), and "Land of 1000 Dances" (Cannibal and the Headhunters). The Ventures then covered all the instrumental versions. I am curious to know which other songs followed this tradition.
Wow! Does this ever bring back memories for me. One of the guys...Otto Nuss used to live next door to my Step- Grandparents in South bend, Ind. I used to get to listen to them practice....I was only 9 0r 10 back then. But I was ever so in love.....(sigh!) And II still have the business card Otto gave me in my scrapbook. Lovely memories! Thanks guys!
@BarbyCurtis70 For those who do not know, Otto Nuss is the guy in the middle of the photo above. He graduated South Bend Central HS in 1964. The lead singer was a Centralite, too. I was in the Class of '65 and really enjoyed the "brush with greatness" just having these guys in our midst. Indeed, "California Sun" was their big, big hit, not Wild Weekend.
This is a cool song. The Riviera's vocal version is just as good as the instrumental version by the Rockin Rebels.
antivercetti 1 month ago
This was originally a vocal written by WKBW Buffalo aND OTHER PLACES DJ.
Dickneeds 1 month ago
2011, still better than most shit today
TactiSoldier 3 months ago 2
Where i can find lyrics for this song? thanx!
nunotraumas 10 months ago
nice
mike773240 11 months ago
Grab the audio from this tune at searchripgrab doht cohm.
NelliDogon49 1 year ago
What a beautiful song! It's a rare jewel in the world of music.
Moonwater2000 1 year ago
gmarkum2007, your uncle did not write California Sun. It was written by Morris Levy and Henry Glover. The original version was released in 1961 by New Orleans singer Joe Jones. The Rivieras version was released in 1964.
RobertRouse 1 year ago 2
Never heard a vocal cover of this before.
jmen4ever 1 year ago
Cool .......... just finished another Dream Cruise here in Detroit!
gibran53 1 year ago
i like the NRBQ version, they did a better job with the lyrics.
billny59 1 year ago
I didn't knoiw this had lyrics (only knew the Rockin' Rebels version). There is an instrumental break here, but it is not the same as the Rockin' Rebels.
carlmoore19 1 year ago
Cool, but I still miss the sax. Always miss the sax.
zappasaurus 1 year ago
my uncle wrote California sun. and was in the Band. he is a great guy and an awesome singer. Go Rivieras
gmarcum2007 1 year ago 3
@gmarcum2007 wow thats sooooo cool the fans say hi to ur uncle :D
NIghtRider805 1 year ago
@gmarcum2007 really are you kidding
TheIllegalKind 8 months ago
@gmarcum2007 LOL, Why post a lie, Henry Glover wrote California Sun and many others and was never in the Rivieras....He was also black
Please Get A Life.....
kenc1161 7 months ago 5
I love the Rockin' Rebels all-time classic, but this is fine too. Got room for both of 'em.
13loomisst 1 year ago
what's with the negative comments? first time i've ever heard this and i LOVE it! great teenage sound, "California Sun organ throughout, Ritchie Valens guitar break! Rivieras Rule!
ralphsrec 1 year ago
cool! never heard it before
dahur 1 year ago
What is the history to this group? never heard words put to Wild weekend, always thought this was an instrumental. Another great post
Richpete001 1 year ago
My ears!!! How could the band that gave us "California SUn" crank out this noise? The drummer must be high! He's caught on the back beat! And the lyrics make the words to "Surfer Joe" seem like aFrost poem!
pepperdineu1 2 years ago
i love this song and i cant find it, if someone knows were to find it or have it and can send it
dumeng12 2 years ago
great song . learning the instro version right now
surfinjohnnyq 2 years ago
Wow! I've never heard this version before! In fact, I never knew there were lyrics, I thought it was an instrumental or did they add the words themselves???
gopherscout 2 years ago 7
@gopherscout Me either, it is o-k I guess, but I prefer the instrumental version. You know, I also never knew "Ghost Riders in the Sky" was originally a vocal song, but I guess, you learn something every day, but personally, I think the instrumental versions of those songs are better, I might offend, great vocals on both though.
horrorshow20000 10 months ago
@horrorshow20000 You learn something new every day! I like both versions.You are entitled to your opinion & don't worry as I'm not offended that you like the instrumental versions better!
gopherscout 10 months ago
@gopherscout this version is addictive though, but as said, I prefer the instrumental version, both are o-k though
horrorshow20000 10 months ago
@gopherscout to the best of my knowledge, the Rivieras performed the version with lyrics first (as heard here), then the Rockin' Rebels did an instrumental out of it. The same sort of thing with "Ghost Riders in the Sky" (Ramrods), "Memphis" (Lonnie Mack), "Grazing in the Grass" (Hugh Masekela), and "Land of 1000 Dances" (Cannibal and the Headhunters). The Ventures then covered all the instrumental versions. I am curious to know which other songs followed this tradition.
horrorshow20000 6 months ago
Saw them in 64 in Michigan City, Ind. my girlfriend and I danced all night long to their great music. thanks
dylanfan1948 2 years ago
An insult to the Rockin' Rebels by a bunch of clumbsy amateurs!
jt123egypte 2 years ago
Agree. Even the drummer puts the wrong accent on the intro. This was a CLASSIC instrumental and should have remained so
BeachBoysGuy1 2 years ago
The original lyrics started like this: "Tom- my Shan- non show, KB radio!".
Shannon was a dj at WKBW in Buffalo, New York who wrote the song to be used as the opening jingle for his radio show.
Go to the WKBW website and listen to the original.
akytilop 2 years ago
Wow! Does this ever bring back memories for me. One of the guys...Otto Nuss used to live next door to my Step- Grandparents in South bend, Ind. I used to get to listen to them practice....I was only 9 0r 10 back then. But I was ever so in love.....(sigh!) And II still have the business card Otto gave me in my scrapbook. Lovely memories! Thanks guys!
BarbyCurtis70 2 years ago
Opps! I didn't do the math...I was actually 14 years old. Oh well....The memories are still the same!
BarbyCurtis70 2 years ago
@BarbyCurtis70 For those who do not know, Otto Nuss is the guy in the middle of the photo above. He graduated South Bend Central HS in 1964. The lead singer was a Centralite, too. I was in the Class of '65 and really enjoyed the "brush with greatness" just having these guys in our midst. Indeed, "California Sun" was their big, big hit, not Wild Weekend.
UncleJim46 1 year ago
What year was this released?
rplende 2 years ago
1965
Denton91 2 years ago
Never heard this version before. Freakin Magnificent stuff!! Thanks for posting it!
rplende 2 years ago
Damn...!
I never heard this version before...I had always thought it was a great instrumental.
Slick!
Thanks man!
Astro Joe
ChicagoAstronomer 2 years ago
Same here!
rplende 2 years ago
Great Post! I love the NRBQ version of this too.
mickyhikes 2 years ago
Make that 2 million.
k4nbc 2 years ago