Rivieras' guitarist Pennell, 66, dies

[douglas9]

SOUTH BEND -- Joe Pennell, a local musician who helped launch a local band to national fame in 1964, died Thursday at the age of 66.

Pennell was the lead guitarist for the Rivieras, a five-member South Bend garage band that struck music gold with their recording of “California Sun.”

The song’s sharp, crisp guitar sounds were courtesy of Pennell, and helped the song become a national hit.

"He knew how to set the amplifier and guitars to get that really biting, crisp sound," said Rivieras bandmate Doug Gean, who played the bass.

"California Sun" peaked at No. 5 on Feb. 1, 1964, and stayed on Billboard's Top 40 chart for nine weeks.

But Pennell and lead singer Marty Fortson didn’t get to fully enjoy their rapid, brief fame -- the pair joined the Marine Corps soon after recording the song in 1963 and were shipped to California for basic training.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/sbt-rivieras-guitarist-pennell-66-dies-20110421,0,1051952.story