Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*
Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol
Already have an account?
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

Ballad that made Rivers a star hit No. 1

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Today's Morning Edition is from Johnny Rivers with "Poor Side of Town," which was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 50 years ago today.

This was his first and only No. 1 hit and a sharp contrast from the music he was known for. In the early 1960s, Rivers put out a series of popular rock 'n' roll albums that were recorded live at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles, but it was this ballad that finally got him a chart topper.

Rivers, who is 74 now, continues to tour. These days his live repertoire leans toward the blues.