Johnnie & Joe

Johnnie & Joe were an American R&B vocal duo from The Bronx, New York, United States, who were best known for their 1957 hit "Over the Mountain; Across the Sea." Johnnie Louise Richardson (June 29, 1935, Montgomery, Alabama – October 25, 1988, New York City) and Joe Rivers (March 20, 1937, Charleston, South Carolina – August 26, 2025, Suffern, New York) began singing together in 1957 and released several singles on Chess Records, which were leased from J & S Records, to whom the duo were under contract. Richardson was the daughter of the J & S label owner, Zelma "Zell" Sanders, who had been a touring member of The Hearts. Richardson and Rivers resumed their professional partnership later in the 1960s. During the 1970s and '80s they performed in oldies concerts, and made a critically acclaimed album, Kingdom of Love, in 1982. Johnnie Richardson died of complications from a stroke in 1988. Three of the songs hit the U.S. singles charts. "Over the Mountain; Across the Sea," written by Rex Garvin, went to #3 on the R&B chart and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "I'll Be Spinning," written by Freddie Scott, went Top 10 R&B, both in 1957. "My Baby's Gone," a #15 R&B hit, was their last hit, although "Over the Mountain, Across the Sea" returned to the pop charts in 1960, peaking at #89 the second time around. Johnnie Louise Richardson at AllMusic "REX GARVIN". Rockabilly.nl. Scott, Ronald E. (18 September 2025). "Joe Rivers, famous doo-wop singer, dies at 88". Amsterdam News. Retrieved 13 November 2025. Wynn, Ron. Biography of Johnnie & Joe at AllMusic "Johnnie & Joe Biography". Oldies.com. Billboard Singles for Johnnie & Joe at AllMusic Review of I'll Be Spinning at AllMusic Johnnie & Joe at Doo Wop Heaven Johnnie & Joe Biography Johnnie & Joe Discography Article and label shots