Rock 'N' Roll Legend Johnny Rivers Honored by City of L.A.

The Los Angeles City Council honored Johnny Rivers on Friday for being among the first to usher rock 'n' roll into the City of Angels 50 years ago with a performance at the Whisky A Go Go nightclub.

"The city of Los Angeles has been wonderful to the music scene, to me personally, to my family and musician friends," Rivers told the council when receiving the proclamation. "It's been just a wonderful experience."

Rivers was asked to open the Whiskey A Go Go nightclub while making his 1964 album, which included a cover version of Chuck Berry's "Memphis."

The "Johnny Rivers at the Whisky A Go Go" album was the first of five that Rivers would record live at the L.A. nightclub.

The 71-year-old said he believes Los Angeles remains the mecca for music in the United States.

"Most people think of New York and Nashville, but so many great, great recordings have come out of Los Angeles," Rivers said.

Councilman Mitch Englander said Rivers brought the "go go sound" to rock n' roll.

"He really brought a whole new emphasis to rock n' roll and getting people engaged," Englander said.

Rivers, whose given name is John Henry Ramistella, was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009.

—City News Service