The Rivieras were an American rock and roll group from the early 1960s, known for their hit version of the song "California Sun." Hailing from South Bend, Indiana, the group was formed by Marty Fortson (vocals and guitar), Joe Pennell (guitar), Doug Gean (bass), Otto Nuss (organ), and Paul Dennert (drums). As they rose to fame, The Rivieras became synonymous with the classic surf rock sound, despite being from the Midwest, far from the sunny coastlines their music evoked.

With a career that peaked with their 1964 hit, The Rivieras embraced the carefree spirit and energetic beat of the early rock era. "California Sun," which became their most iconic track, reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. They followed this success with albums such as "Campus Party" and a series of singles that kept them in the limelight. Although the band's active years were brief, they left a lasting impact on the surf rock genre. The Rivieras found a lasting nostalgic audience with anthologies and collections of their work, such as "The Coed Singles" and "Collector's Series: The Rivieras," keeping the essence of that era's music alive for new generations to enjoy.