‘California Sun’: The Top 10 Hit That Left Its Singers Burned
‘200 Greatest 60s Rock Songs’ Book Excerpt
The surf music of the Beach Boys made California the dream destination of young people during the 1960s. But not all of the music was produced on the West Coast. One of the era’s signature songs, “California Sun,” was first recorded in 1961 by New Orleans R&B singer Joe Jones, who is known for his Top 10 hit, “You Talk Too Much.”
Written by Henry Glover (with Roulette Records president Morris Levy credited as co-writer), Jones recorded “California Sun” in an R&B style backed by a horn section. “California Sun” didn’t succeed as a follow-up to “You Talk Too Much,” only reaching №89 on the charts. But the song did achieve some popularity in South Bend, IN, where high school classmates performed it with their group, the Playmates.
The Playmates were bassist Doug Gean, lead singer and guitarist Marty “Bo” Fortson, guitarist Joe Pennell, drummer Paul Dennert, and organist Otto Nuss.
