Rockin' Robin Roberts & The Wailers - "Louie Louie" (1961)

[Lungomolto]

everything was on Etiquette was cool and wild I dig them all!!!

[bellgardens53]

Cont. search, "who sang the original Louie Louie?" thecourtsmen did that video. There I did a 'horsework' today and wrote many long comments to explain and elaborate all that I know. Please sent a comment to me if you like. But in shorth Berry said, and he ought to know as he wrote and recorded the original: "Louie Louie was about a sailor sitting in a bar, talking to the bartender about his girl back in Jamaica. He is pouring out his troubles to the bartender, Louie. So LOUIE is a BARTENDER.

[bellgardens53]

First time I hear this version by the Wailers. Ah, what a nice surprise, what a GREAT version of this 100 million seller. One can here hear how Rockin' Robin Roberts do the Jamacian accent as it is supposed to be...anyway if one go by what influenced Richard Berry, among other influences, Chuck Berrys song "Havana Moon" from 1955. Calypso beat and Chuck using a Jamaican accent. Anyone interested about the entire story about this song and what it is about, type in search:

[TheDonz1943]

Died in an Auto Accident in Northern California

[jgbullat]

I was there! And in love with Gail but she didn't know it!

[MrFastestIndian]

I used to go to the dances at the Tacoma Armory, The Cresent Ballroom and the Spanish Castle. Danced with chicks to The Wailers with Rockin Robin Roberts and Gail Harris. I think they should have made Louie Louie the Washington State song. I have the 45 RPM record of Louie Louie by Rockin Robin stashed away for safe keeping. Super great times......Ed

[saxforth]

Yes, they definitely copied it. The hippest Wailer version (IMHO) is the Spanish Castle Live version. Rich was too big of a person to hold the copying against anybody, and after his Wailer days, his playing continued to evolve, ending up at a very sophisticated place. I miss him.

[GRL1946Wa]

The best Louie Louie ever, Lan Roberts was right

[Longie60724]

Great early photos of the Wailers. I noticed( Little Bill & the) Blue Notes on the Drum.

Where did you get the photos? Thanks

[57Will]

I honestly feel this and the version done by Paul Revere & the Raiders are the two best renditions, and deserved to be big national hits, much more so than the Kingsmen. Just my own thoughts.

[SunnBurn]

This is exceptional. I never knew this version existed. Thanks for posting it.

[robertkm62]

It was and remains a crime that the Kingsmen's version of Louie Louie is the one most Americans know. The Wailers' version was so much better! I think we should compel the Mariners use the Rockin Robin Roberts/wailers version at the 7th inning break. The Kingsmen were from Portland, for goodness sake.

[TheGWC1946]

@robertkm62 You got that right. He even copied Rich's guitar solo and never could admit it and did a poor job at best. Our Seattle Wailers were the best but remember Richard Berry did it in 1957. Sound equipment came a long way in 5 years back then. JC (Keyboard for the Kingsmen for a while) worked with me in LA in the late 60's and early 70's in LA thought so too. Being a guitar player it just bothered me he just couldn't admit it. No Class. Rich was a great guitarist and friend.

[TheGWC1946]

@robertkm62 What's a shame is that they copied it from the Wailers and never gave them the credit. You would think they would thank the Wailers. Rich knew it.

[4486048]

My sister and I are Robin's 1st cousins (his mother being my mother's sister). She lived with Robin as a toddler and has many great memories of him . My most distinct memory was Robin taking me to Georgetown, D.C.. which was then the psychedelic section of our nations capitol. He was 27 to my 14 and grinned *all the time*. He treated me like a human being and we went into all the head shops and music stores. A great guy. Thanks for making the video!

[smokeyriverband]

I remember the Wailers quite well...I was in another band in Tacoma at the time. This is the Louie Louie I remember and liked the best and their other song "the Witch". Tommy

[rocknrollroy2007]

I am a Washington State native, I have lived here all my life. I love Northwest Rock, and the Wailers is one of my fave groups from Tacoma, my hometown.

[mashtones]

Great upload thanks

[rawiepower]

I love his voice, specialy when he says we gotta go!

[edr341]

Robin was briefly a student at the University of Washington 1958-1959 before dropping out to pursue his music career. He was my roommate for one quarter and his enthusiasm for his music was fun to see.