Born Andrew Jakeman in February 1948, in Edgware, Middlesex, Jake Riviera became road manager – and eventually manager – of pub rock act Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers in the early 1970s.
In 1975, Riviera organised the ‘Naughty Rhythms’ package tour featuring Chilli Willi, Dr Feelgood, and Kokomo then acted as the tour manager for Dr Feelgood for their US dates in Spring 1976.
On his return to the UK, Riviera was inspired to found Stiff Records with Dave Robinson, manager of Graham Parker & the Rumour. He signed The Damned in September 1976, ensuring they were the first punk act to release a record (with their October 1976 single New Rose).
Riviera managed other early Stiff signings Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe and in 1977 recruited artist Barney Bubbles to work with him on an impressive run of designs for record sleeves, posters, badges and advertising and promotional campaigns for Lowe, The Damned, Costello and other performers including Ian Dury and Wreckless Eric.
Riviera left Stiff in autumn 1977, taking Costello and Lowe with him to the newly launched Radar Records and then to F-Beat, his latest label.
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