Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Louisiana, Los Angeles, California

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1998-12-11

Duration: 00:24:29

Subjects: RIVERS, JOHNNY | Music | Singers | Arts | Nelson, Rick, 1940-1985 | Webb, Jimmy

Contributors:

• Weill, Gus Host
• Rivers, Johnny Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from December 11, 1998, features an interview with Johnny Rivers conducted by Gus Weill. Rivers, who grew up in Baton Rouge, is a singer and guitarist best known for such hits as “Secret Agent Man,” “Midnight Special,” and “Seventh Son.” He discusses: his initial interest in music; the success of his band in junior high school; his first foray into the New York music scene; meeting people in the Nashville music scene through his friendship with the wife of the late Hank Williams, Sr.; Ricky Nelson recording one of his songs; his work at the Whiskey A Go Go, which led to his first live album; his performance with the E Street Band at President Bill Clinton’s 1992 inauguration; Jimmy Webb and the song “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”; his work as a producer; his hit “Secret Agent Man”; gaining a Lifetime Membership Award from the Blues Foundation in 1992; the best conditions for creative work; and his life in Los Angeles.