Were The Rivieras, who backed Billy Lee[[Mitch Ryder) the same Rivieras that recorded for Riley's Records, and was re-issued as by The Proto-Jays on Diamond Jim Records? These 4 Caucasian young men became The Detroit Wheels. I always thought Diamond Jim Riley's Rivieras were a Black group. But, unfortunately, I never saw a billboard showing a photo of the group.
Here's a Billy Lee & Rivieras' photo record sleeve, probably from 1962 or 1963.
In 1965, they became Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels. They also left the R&B/Doo-Wop sound for a more "Garagy"/Raucus sound. So, it's difficult to believe they were the same group moonlighting for Diamond Jim Riley in 1966-69 going back to their older sound.
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