Johnny Ramistella paid homages to his Louisiana roots by choosing the shorter stage name Johnny Rivers. Known for his versions of other songwriter’s songs, he topped the charts in 1966 with ‘Poor Side of Town’, a song he wrote himself. That same year his influence on music expanded with the establishment of his subsidiary label Soul City. Today this legend of pop music celebrates his 70th birthday. Let’s look back at his career by revisiting his Top Ten Songs:

10.  Summer Rain – No. 14 in 1968

9.   Maybelline – No. 12 in 1964

8.   Swayin’ To The Music – No. 10 in 1977

7.    Mountain of Love – No. 9 in 1964

6.    Seventh Son – No. 7 in 1965

5.   Rockin’ Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu – No. 6 in 1973

4.   Secret Agent Man – No. 3 for one week in 1965

3.   Baby I Need Your Lovin’ – No. 3 for two weeks in 1967

2.   Memphis – No. 2 for two weeks in 1964

1.   Poor Side of Town – No. 1 for one week in 1966