On Louie Louie (1963), this Portland, Oregon, garage band was terribly recorded, could barely keep the beat and got lost mid-way through the song – and singer Jack Ely sounded like he had a mouth full of marbles – but it didn’t matter. Any band with that riff on its side would win anyway!
It started out as a B-side to a record made by Richard Berry and The Pharaohs in 1957.
The easy chords and primitive rhythm made it the perfect song for start-up groups to learn, and it was recorded by over 300 different artists, many in the American Northwest, which in the 60s was a bastion of garage bands.
The ferociously exciting version cut by The Kingsmen peaked at #2 on the US singles charts in January 1964.
The following month, Indiana governor Matthew Welsh was one of many politicians who asked for the single to be banned by local radio stations because of speculation that the (mostly unintelligible) lyrics were obscene.
The song’s publisher offered $1,000 to anyone who could prove it . . .
Jack Ely served in the US army from 1966 to 1968 and then became dependent on alcohol and drugs. He eventually turned to gospel music and became a livestock farmer. He died in Terrebonne, Oregon, on 27 April 2015 at the age of 71.
Lynn Easton Saxophone, vocals Jack Ely Vocals, guitar, drums Mike Mitchell Guitar Bob Nordby Bass Don Galucci Organ Gary Abbott Drums Norm Sundholm Bass Barry Curtis Organ Don Dick Peterson Drums
Related Posts
Sonics, The A five-piece rock & roll band from Tacoma, Washington (USA), The Sonics combined the classic Northwest-area teen-band raunch with early English…
Larry Williams Larry Williams, though born in New Orleans in 1935, recorded in Los Angeles for Art Rupe's Specialty label - the…
Contours, The Formed in Detroit in 1958, The Contours were signed to the newly formed Gordy label on the recommendation of Jackie…
United States of America, The A registered Communist starts a band called The United States of America and lands a major label record deal before…
Napoleon XIV Jerry Samuels to his friends, this recording engineer and occasional songwriter worked a small miracle of bad taste with just…
Don & The Goodtimes Don and The Goodtimes emerged from the Pacific Northwest and were spotted by Dick Clark who made them regulars on…
New Vaudeville Band, The The 1966 UK #1 single Winchester Cathedral was actually recorded by a group of studio musicians assembled by writer, producer and…
Candymen, The This Alabama band is most well-known for being Roy Orbison's backing group during the mid 60's, but when they weren't backing…
