The Riviera label was created for the Riveras, who scored with their first single, “California Sun”, released in October ’63 and hitting the national top ten in early ’64. Bill Dobslaw owned the label and also managed the Rivieras, occasionally singing with them as well.
Besides the Rivieras, the label released one 45 each by the Kastaways and the Sigma Five, one and the same group according to Otto Nuss of the Rivieras, who recalled in an interview with Kicks magazine that the original name of the group was the Sigma 5. This group was from La Porte, Indiana, a few miles west of South Bend. The Sigma Five’s keyboardist uses the electric piano instead of the organ sound that the Rivieras made popular.
“Comin’ Down” is a cool adaption of “Money”, credited to their producer Bill Dobslaw. The neat instrumental “Pop Top” was written by Banicki, who also wrote the Kastaways b-side “You Never Say”, which I haven’t heard yet.
Did you know that the Rivieras stole “California Sun” from the Princetons who had permission to use the song and had already had it put down and ready for release. A couple of the Rivieras band members heard the Princetons play the song for the first time “live” and recorded it and released it ahead of the Princetons version.
So the story goes…..and I got that from one of the Princetons
“CA Sun” originally charted in 1961 by Joe Jones, who (I believe) wrote it. Once a song is published, no one would need permission to record it; they only need to credit the proper writers, publishers, etc.
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
http://www.music-gem.com/index.html
I think you’re confusing ‘California’ Sun’ with ‘Little Miss Sad’. The Princetons had recorded it, but The Five Emprees version became the hit.
Mike: I found this while looking up some info that I am writing a piece on the Princetons. I find the replys to be a somewhat correct because you have to remember that was the 60’s and bands didn’t have alot of control. Sincerely ,Bruce