The Rivieras - California Sun

[RnSTutorials]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNIN' VIETNAM!

[ezramead]

Man, I tell you.

[ErinElvis78]

The Royal Showbands (Ire) arrangement, you'll be jivin' and swingin' down the street, and this is not from an ol' fogie but a 34 year old Elvis buff!

[ErinElvis78]

A certain showband in Ireland whom Elvis digged, in Las Vegas, also covered this and did so in a higher key, which for me makes it an even livelier number. In my arrogant opinion I would squeeze the juice out of this song much more than this lead singer singing here does and that's a fact! I believe, as Shakin' Stevens proved, that these songs would still go down extremely well. These are the type of songs that the angels in heaven are jivin' to!!

Good riddance Vietnam, down to the last bullet

[itaintmebabe714]

The first time i heard this was when i saw The Doors movie

[MrLon98]

@itaintmebabe714 Just got done watching that movie and wanted to hear it

[TheLadandLass]

love the guitar riffs

[lastrada52]

OK they're not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but that lead singer of the Riverias -- wow -- what a rock and roll voice and performance he did gave us on this classic. Unforgettable. I was just a little kid back then and this song really got into my marrow. This is The Beach Boys with attitude. "The girls are frisky in ole Frisco...." Damn....

[jjranch4]

The Ramones exposed this song to several new generations when they brought this one back, with there one of a kind cover of it.

[sauquoit13456]

On this date in 1964 {Jan. 25th} 'California Sun' entered the Billboard's Top 100 chart, eventually it peaked at No. 5 and spent a total of 10 weeks in the Top 100. Three years earlier Joe Jones charted with this song, that version peaked at No. 89!!!

[rickbandana]

First time I heard this song, I had a bonner.

[CrazyBanana567]

CALIFORNIA SURFIN!!!! <3 :D

[ZINGGO]

12 dislikes never been to Calfornia

[iwona9229]

Bring back the summer. Go to Rukus in the Summer for the California Sun on You Tube.

[livewiresixx220]

heard on the doors movie its just bad ass just put it that way

[chazmann58]

I was 5 when this out...my older bros were CA surfers..Newport..San Ofre...Redondo..Hunington Beach..San Clemente...they took me all over with them....I was 5, 6, 7 yrs old..checking out the CA beach girls...and groovin to the tunes ....it was a great way to grow up....

[BielzimMorelli]

Gooooooood morning Vietnam!

[mickeymousebiker1]

King Tone! If California ever needed a state anthem, this one would be it!

[ShapelyDice]

Such a downhome, timeless tune this is

[saclrpfrl10]

SHIMMY, MOTHER FUCKER, SHIMMY!!!!!

[OLLIESIMS32]

I heard this in the doors movie

[darc1362]

I LOVE CALIFORNIA!!!!

[TheAmericanFreeBird]

@darc1362 me too : )

[wwesabres]

i actually came here because of the trailer Larger Than Life (1996) with Bill Murray

[whhswhhs]

Hey, I climbed up Dana Peak (in Yosemite) in early Septembet and there was 4-5 inches of snow...you have it al in CA.

[hotmn4u]

wow, november and the women in s. cal are having fun.

[zaphodb777]

Thumbs up if you came here from the Solar Update in the ARRL Letter!

[whhswhhs]

It's raining here in Connecticut...I love this! Thanks for posting.

[hotmn4u]

@whhswhhs nice and warm here in s. cal. love the waves and the women

[granniemir]

one thing is proof against learning: contempt prior to investigation,

[mpjgbx]

Love that farfisa organ

[schwarg]

holy crap those drums sound like they're a mile away from the band

[katizzlerox101]

@theCuno100 Dont forget you an practically an illegal yourself, then natives had this land first buddy.



[parkman35]

Summer of '65!

[Daniel0889]

This version > Iguanas version > Ramones version !!!

[TomMcCagherty]

Can't not tap my toes to this

[CelphProclaimed]

Good Morning Vietnam!

[klunx13]

Way better than the Ramones Version !!!!! their version is cool too tho :)

[MrMoviecritic2011]

now this is alot better then the ramones.

[SimuLord]

Man, it's a total coin flip which is better, this version or the Ramones' cover. Both are a great example of their genre (surf music and punk rock). I can't choose! I love 'em both!

[centralparocker]

One cool California song....!!!!

[Yesdnyl99]

Awesome dancing music!!

[CubfanDaMann]

Lots of fun memories hearing this on the radio on the way into Chicago to visit my grandparents.

[wurlitzer1955]

The bass player for this band, Tommy, had a band back in 1978 and they played at my wedding. The band was called Tommy and the Rivieras. Listen to the bass in this song

[iluvtekno]

i love this song i listen to techno, how ever orgianlly i grew up on oldies! :)

[centralparocker]

Where the California girls are really the most....!!!!

[FoolishElfRebellion]

Came here from the Ramones version. I dig 'em both!

[DSTowerRat]

Loving this post Thank you!!!!!!!!

[GodschildJCE]

I love the looks I get when i drive around texas in my camaro with this playing xD

[peugteobike]

what year did this song come out?this song sure rocks

[schnellguy]

@peugteobike This came out around 1960 or 61.

[streetfightchamp07]

@peugteobike look it up jackass

[franzchick66]

love dancing to this.

[Gregd8888]

always makes me want to watch jackass

[HaggisMcCrablice]

10 people threw their backs out shimmying.

[jorgenietor]

We´re out having fun in the warm california sun!

[jorgenietor]

We´re out having fun in the warm california sun!

[autumniscasper]

and uh, my grandpa survived the "sniper attack". lol. he just died.

[autumniscasper]

my grandpa was lead guitar in this song. :) joesph pennell.

[cookidoh093]

This song makes me feel so free spirited

[BodaciousWickerman]

Quality stuff.

[Tofu4Dinner]

RAMONES

[kingdarius5252]

Man I love this song

[shakedownkrooser]

One of the best ever surf songs...

[posolenrvbk]

I just had a great day in the warm ca sun!

fish209!!

[tvtp07]

heard this on the doors movie

[ThatPurplyThing]

Thumbs up if you remember this song from Disney's California Adventure.

[oldermusiclover]

still trying to find out who played drums and organ on this song

[kenc1161]

@oldermusiclover Otto Nuss played the organ and Paul Dennart played the drums, The Band had many line up changes in there short lived career but Otto & Paul stayed to the end. They had a terrible recording contract and due to improper management made very little money which forced many to leave the group and go back to school, In the 4 years they were active they had 10 different members. Even today this song is played often here in Germany...

[jrichard711]

WLS, John "Records" Landecker.  The greatest of all DJ's is in the R&R HOF.

[BrownEyedGirl2100]

I love this song whoooo hoooooooooooo @@@@@@@@

[vmartin96]

the wierd thing is that the guy who made this band, died at age 66 and the band split in 1966 O.o

[TEAMBLUESPARTAN]

I remember hearing this song on Jackass. Great song.

[EnragedRants]

@TEAMBLUESPARTAN

Dee Dee Ramone's most iconic "One-two-three-four!" imo,,,

[abysmalatrocious]

When I was 15 (I'm 38 now, AARP), the first time I heard this song was on the Disneyland commercial: "Disneyland is the heart of the fun...in the warm California Sun, doot doot doot...."

[teetosh]

it's s-l-o-w-i--n---g---d----o---w-­-n---!



[zeppelin88ab]

Thumbs up if you came here after watching the intro to the movie "The Doors" by Oliver Stone

[yobonab]

@zeppelin88ab I don't need to watch some stupid movie to remind me of the great music of my youth. If your only connection to this song is Oliver Stone, then I truly feel sorry for you.

[zeppelin88ab]

@yobonab First of all, it's actually a great movie featuring a key band of that generation. Secondly, sorry I wasnt born in the fucking 60s or whenever. The fact that a teen in today's society even knows about this should make you proud, you were apart of that generation, so fuck off

[bobdy9988]

@zeppelin88ab That was a brilliant scene man, Just Jim walking in 1966, with this in the background. Glad other guys liked that as much as I did. ;)

[ishankpandas]

@zeppelin88ab good morning vietnam brought me here

[dave4248]

@zeppelin88ab No Zepp. I came here after watching "History of the Brooklyn Dodgers" on HBO. this song is used for virtually any documentary or period piece about California in the 60's. Your point is well taken. I do remember it from "The Doors"

[jamesris10]

@zeppelin88ab

YES

[Lumotaku]

@zeppelin88ab

would never watch an oliver stone movie

[TheButtercupTube]

@zeppelin88ab DUDE It's like you read my mind!

[TheButtercupTube]

@zeppelin88ab Really my mom grew up in the 60's so I showed her the intro and asked her what this song was called. Now I can't stop replaying it. :)

[Baudrush]

@bartdude5

That's right, I saw that great movie yesterday! Great film and great music.

[bartdude5]

thumbs up if GOOOODMORNING VIETNAM brought u here!

[publicmario17]

Great song!

[bazmchat]

@overbrookXXX The Joe Jones version was recorded in '61 (and got to 89 in the US) whereas The Rivieras version got to no.5 in 1964. This information is on Wikipedia. As LTF6161 says Joe Jones' recording is on Youtube, so why not listen to it! Personally, while the original is good, the Rivieras' "surf's up" recording really has the edge. The definitive version perhaps... :)

[heine71]

Recently remade by kids for a K-SWASS TV commercial.

[rayzor1011]

wonderful sunny music

[Babyhowdy233]

Six fools have never enjoyed that warm California sun!

[deniseaustinlover]

Great song! Classic 60s California sound!!!

[heine71]

@deniseaustinlover Even WLS AM still played it into the 1980's before the oldies radio stations came about!

[melneey]

@heine71 WLS in Chicago? I LOVE(D) that AM station!!!!!!

[heine71]

@melneey WLS lives on as an AM 890 talkradio station while WLS 94.7 Chicago is oldies.

[melneey]

@heine71 GREAT - thanks for that info!  Appreciate it.

[SuperMarioStar10]

Love the version by the Ramones, but the original is a masterpiece!!

[GonzoGuyy]

six people have no clue what good music is.

[swedeseed]

as a Ramones fan Ive been listening to their cover for over 30 years and this is the first time Ive heard this original...love it!!! fantastic stuff,what a great record,a joy to

discover it..

[LTF6161]

@swedeseed

It ain't the original. Joe Jones did the original three years earlier. It's on youtube. Look for it.

[bazmchat]

@LTF6161 Thanks for that, I'm now off to hear the original!

[LTF6161]

@bazmchat

You're welcome.

[UncleJim46]

Joe Pennell RIP, 4-22-2011.

[UncleJim46]

Joe Prnnell RIP, 4-22-2011.

[mneumann601]

Yes, this brings me back to a more innocent time!

[85Rising]

6 people are dumb

[cotmo115]

i like it at very first notes. lovely tune!

[AsylumEscapade]

This and Wipeout re my two favorite summer songs.

[Gurnerman]

never knew the ramones coverd this thought it was there's

[phleb8881]

@naomifeare I think Uncle Bill was known as " Little Willie " back in his Riviera days.

[Altara33606]

One of my fav oldies!!

[SkullCoLennox]

is it just me, or does the singer of the rivieras sound alot like jim morrison

[TheJabberwock]

I heard this song on The Doors by Oliver Stone and it made me want to hear it for months!

[Chris1260]

Still one of the BEST! Damn, this makes me smile!

[landrykkb]

I first heard Frankie Avalon & Annette Funicello singing this on their 1987 reunion movie,Back To The Beach.

[pepperdineu1]

The Rivieras rock! I still remember seeing the album cover at the local record store in 64! Real rock-n-roll!

[marco7centurion]

@theCuno100 I believe you should be reminded that the USA is a giant country of illegal inmigrants: english, irish, italian...they came and took the land (much worse than taking jobs, if you ask me, is taking the entire life from other people) from the indians and drove them into reservoirs. So yeah, stop whining about the "illegals" and enjoy life as is

[casino16]

@marco7centurion lol "reservoirs" its reservation a reservoir is a whole different thing

[DaroEP]

@theCuno100. You lazy bastard, who is gonna clean your house, build your home, etc. I wish i lived in California...when it was from Mexico

[Nana4Jake]

AWESOME! LOVE THIS SONG! NO ONE MAKES SONGS LIKE THIS ANYMORE. ALL OF THE SONGS FROM BACK THEN WERE SO FUN AND ABOUT FUN! ANYONE WHO DOESN'T LIKE THIS TYPE OF MUSIC...JUST MISSED OUT! I CAN REMEMBER MY BROTHER IN LAW (MORE LIKE A BROTHER) RONNIE WHEN THIS SONG WOULD COME N THE RADIO IN THE CAR, MY SISTER AND I WOULD LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND SAY "HERE WE GO!" THE SPEEDOMETER WENT UP BY ABOUT 20 MPH...GREAT MEMORIES HUH LINDA?

[countrysinger1952]

This song was also features in The Doors movie.

[Peoria3165]

I remember hearing this tune on a Stockholm, Sweden radio station when I was on a 10 day European romp while in the Corps, and it always makes me feel good to be from the Golden State. The Beach Boys music has the same affect on me! Enjoy this Rivieras classic, cause we're out here having fun in the warm California sun!

[EzrinJem2]

Does anyone know why this song in its original version is not available on ITunes? Only karaoke versions are. And other Rivera's songs are. But "California Sun" is conspicuously missing. Bummer!

[cliffwalkinfool]

@EzrinJem2 A song's availability has to do with who wrote the lyrics. The writer of the music doesn't hold much power in copyright law, but a lyric writer (or owner) is practically omnipotent. Without knowing the facts, I'd put good money on the proposition that the karaoke versions come without printed or on-screen lyrics. Just make an MP3, open iTunes, choose File, then Add File to Library and find the song. If you own the record or CD, you have the legal right to put it on your iPod for free

[adityakrishnan142]

I like this song but i like the cover by ramones better

[Sniperboii360G]

the chorus souns ALOT like 'little honda' by the hondels, anyone agree?

[wjsfrank]

The Rivieras' played in a club by the same name in LaPorte, IN and it was quite a rush to be there hearing them play in person. This song could make a stone monkey dance!!

[bjayoh]

@wjsfrank

That was my husband you were listening to! He played keyboard on the ORIGINAL Rivieras "California Sun" that went platinum. He still has the first record pressed then. He and his pals (they enlisted and went to Vietnam together; he was the only original member who survived the sniper attack that killed his other three band members) were four Midwest boys fantasizing about the good life away from Ohio and Indiana's cold, dark winters. I showed him your comment -- he loved it!

[CENCAL491]

early mid sixties Southern Californis ripped..yes iam 61 and lived in Laguna,fender was formed in nearby garden Grove,surfin ruled ,the girl way more cool than now.Surfer stomps dances ,and more freedoms

[Mistertbones]

This is such an amazing song.

[naomifeare]

Dude! My uncle William gaut was in this band!! (:

[50pawelcent]

man you can smell the sea listening to this

[Fantanstico900]

i like the version by Brian Wilson but this is ok too =D

[revveduprockabilly]

haha awesome i like how its more surf rockin then fifties sax rockin like the joe jones version.

[kinkybeatle]

GREAT. A classic.

[HerrKatzenvater]

I understand why it's sad. Our American culture and civilization has taken a major nosedive since the era of this song. Major nosedive.

[NYerintransit]

@HerrKatzenvater Were you alive then? If so, where's your AARP card?

[HerrKatzenvater]

@NYerintransit That was just my opinion. What's your problem?

[gmarcum2007]

my uncle was in this band. Willie Gaut, his dad was my Grandpaw :)

[abysmalatrocious]

@gmarcum2007 Cool! This is a great "high energy" song. If you're feeling a little down, listen and dance to this, and it gets you pumped up!

[Zarevic67]

magnifico

[edavenport93]

The ramones version is better

[BluezGuitarz]

This sure sounds like THE VENTURES with a good singer.

[skypeout777]

Cassic which will never be abandoned

[NajjiaS]

such a cute fun song

[greatcomedian18]

this is better than the ramones cover b/c this song has a vox continental and this song just screams california where i cant get the same feeling with the ramones

[svinjche87]

@greatcomedian18 no its not

[rockinernie]

I remember seeing Marty Fortune and the boys at a benefit dance in South Bend back in 1986. Funny thing is ... Marty worked on the assmebly line for one of my friend's wife at Bendix Corp. Anyone know where Milo is?

[9thWardJukebox]

My opinion is this is the best version but to set the record straight, not the first. Was written by Henry Glover and recorded a year earlier then this one by Joe Jones from the Who Dat Nation. He's best known for the song, "You Talk Too Much".

[PontiusPilots2]

can't imagine a bieber or cyrus doing anything as good as this ;) btw I'm 62 :) Tho' I like the Ramones version too.

[franklinrocks1]

@PontiusPilots2 Bieber and Cyrus are no talent hacks who couldnt sing their way out of a paper bag. Bieber will be gay in two years and Cyrus will be doing porno with her dad.

[MrCloud711]

this song is the coolest song

[quincannon]

Riviera's version is the best!!!

[cmtluvr]

which one is best, numero 1

[ashkonnicholas]

this is great... but personally i prefer the ramones version

[nitemove218]

@ashkonnicholas don't get the ramones they don't use the organ enough :)

[MFIORE7511]

Better than RAP, Britney and Madonna huh?

[BJSteigner]

The best surf music next to the Beach Boys.

[flibideegibbit]

who the h*ll gave a thumbs down to THIS??? to quote Ebenezer Scrooge, "should be boiled in his own pudding!"

[msudreaming]

@flibideegibbit Probably somebody from God Damn New Jersey!

[xlted1]

i heard this when i was in my freshman year in hs, and i was thinking of just a movie scene where i'm  walking around my high school, looking around......taking in the sights.....

One of the best 'fun' songs EVER!