I remember riding in the back seat of my brothers 49 merc sled and him telling me to try to look cool and slouch down in the seat... anyway him and his buddy Cooper were head bobbin and cruisin with there eyes barely above the window and the radio was cranked up to this tune. The one and only ever version for me ever since. Thanks to Richard Berry for helping to develop come "cool" for me. lol
The Kingsmen's sloppy and manic guitar solo was pretty revolutionary. Also, tthe use of a minor chord in the third chord of the intro gave theirs an additional wacky vibe. But all props to the guy that thought it up
The Beach Boys cut a cover of this on one of their early albums at some point in '63, just after the Kingsmen hit with their version. The Beach Boys' version, while borrowing the guitar solo from The Kingsmen version, was clearly patterned after this original in terms of its basic arrangement.
Aside from the fact that this is the original, it's nice to actually hear the lyrics instead of hearing a bunch of guys re-doing a song and fumbling the lyrics, yet getting famous somehow. I'm glad he eventually got his money. Nice video.
It occurs to me since Richard was in the Navy, he could be using Louie as slang for Lieutenant. They have Lts in the navy right? Louie Louie, me gotta go!!
I never heard he was on a ship when he wroite this. This song is based on a Chuck Berry song. Berry was very well known for borrowing either a story or riff from another song and make his own song.
And I never heard that Berry or The Pharoahs were on Bandstand. Maybe on a local show.
I never heard he was on a ship when he wroite this. This song is based on a Chuck Berry song. Berry was very well known for borrowing either a story or riff from another song and make his own song.
The sonics by far is the best cover of this song I've ever heard and considering the time difference ...they took it to another whole level. Shit boy, what a fuzztone ! Do check.
@dharmaseed While being true to the original, I give credit to the Kingsmen for making a unique early rock song. Mid-sixties, British invasion, kids were jerkin' and monkeyin'...the Kingsmen kinda defined that period.
@dharmaseed Sounds like two completely different songs.This one is like a Jamaican doo wop,the other by the Kingsmen is Raw Rock n Roll.Depends on your taste.I prefer the harder rock Kingsmen version.The original is not always the best.This song sounds like so many of the songs of the same era 1950's.The Kingsmen version sounds unique in it's era 1960's.
When I wrote the Richard Berry comment, I'd forgotten that 1310 wasn't KDIA when this song was out. It was KWBR. I was remembering bay area radio stations from back in the day, such as KEWB channel 91; KYA 1260, and KWBR "popped up." And, I was like, "What was KWBR?" Then, a clear memory. KWBR was 1310 before KDIA.
Richard Berry's "Louie-Louie" WAS a hit back in the day. I was about 7 years old when this was out. I listened to KDIA, as well. Richard Berry was also on American Bandstand singing this song. Thanks for posting it.
@srercrcr - I agree; it is a unique & great song, but check it out --
"In 1955, Berry was inspired to write a new calypso-style song, "Louie Louie", based on René Touzet's "El Loco Cha Cha", and also influenced by Chuck Berry's "Havana Moon"...
If you take the percussive rhythm and chords to "El Loco Cha Cha" and the vocal style & vignette created by Chuck Berry, you can see how Richard came up with Louie Louie. Very creative & his original version is classic!
I remember riding in the back seat of my brothers 49 merc sled and him telling me to try to look cool and slouch down in the seat... anyway him and his buddy Cooper were head bobbin and cruisin with there eyes barely above the window and the radio was cranked up to this tune. The one and only ever version for me ever since. Thanks to Richard Berry for helping to develop come "cool" for me. lol
old guy
5871248 1 month ago
@5871248 Nice story, old guy!! I'd tell a few but can't remember them!! ;))
srercrcr 1 month ago
I discovered this song thanks to Black Flag!
Bostel83 1 month ago
I listened to KDIA Lucky 1310. I remember Richard Berry's "Have Love Will Travel" being the most requested. Thanks for this classic of Berry's.
61dodgelancer 3 months ago
dundundun uhuh duhdun uhuhdundun sing with me dundun =3
Ayreonautsixsixsix 6 months ago
The Kingsmen's sloppy and manic guitar solo was pretty revolutionary. Also, tthe use of a minor chord in the third chord of the intro gave theirs an additional wacky vibe. But all props to the guy that thought it up
plfdjack 6 months ago
Coffe and Cigarettes!
madeinmachina 7 months ago
The Beach Boys cut a cover of this on one of their early albums at some point in '63, just after the Kingsmen hit with their version. The Beach Boys' version, while borrowing the guitar solo from The Kingsmen version, was clearly patterned after this original in terms of its basic arrangement.
Rockstaralan 8 months ago
duh duh duh duh
wolfganggangwolfe 9 months ago
Thank you for the 78 RPM post.
411Soulman1 10 months ago
Aside from the fact that this is the original, it's nice to actually hear the lyrics instead of hearing a bunch of guys re-doing a song and fumbling the lyrics, yet getting famous somehow. I'm glad he eventually got his money. Nice video.
CorneliusMcGee 10 months ago
It occurs to me since Richard was in the Navy, he could be using Louie as slang for Lieutenant. They have Lts in the navy right? Louie Louie, me gotta go!!
srercrcr 10 months ago 4
@srercrcr Of course they have lieutenants in the Navy.
rhall4th 10 months ago
@srercrcr LOL You're absolutely right! Probably a Lt.JG that was riding him hard.
RetroTony1959 7 months ago
A west coast hit. Heavy rotation on the L. A. stations when it came out in 57.
TheMonkeybeat 10 months ago
this song rocks and is soooo much fun to play on the clarinet and piano :D
blackapril42 11 months ago
Best version for me
eckyfish 11 months ago
I never heard he was on a ship when he wroite this. This song is based on a Chuck Berry song. Berry was very well known for borrowing either a story or riff from another song and make his own song.
And I never heard that Berry or The Pharoahs were on Bandstand. Maybe on a local show.
Nat1831 11 months ago
@Nat1831
yea it sounds like "Havana Moon" by chuck berry
KIDAmnesiacBends 1 month ago
I never heard he was on a ship when he wroite this. This song is based on a Chuck Berry song. Berry was very well known for borrowing either a story or riff from another song and make his own song.
Nat1831 11 months ago
This song was a hit. A minor hit on the r&b charts.
Nat1831 1 year ago
Awesome love ya write up, even as a 24 year old, still gold:)
99juxta 1 year ago
wow, I can understand what he's saying...
OmegaWolf666 1 year ago
reminds me of wild thing
HelloThere1074 1 year ago
Smells like Teen Spirit!!!
NesalaxD 1 year ago
The sonics by far is the best cover of this song I've ever heard and considering the time difference ...they took it to another whole level. Shit boy, what a fuzztone ! Do check.
driftz0r 1 year ago
Runs RINGS around the Kingsmen's version.
dharmaseed 1 year ago 7
@dharmaseed While being true to the original, I give credit to the Kingsmen for making a unique early rock song. Mid-sixties, British invasion, kids were jerkin' and monkeyin'...the Kingsmen kinda defined that period.
srercrcr 1 year ago 2
@srercrcr you mean white kids... the kingsmen sucked. This is the real deal found on this video.
TheBluescollector 3 months ago
@dharmaseed Sounds like two completely different songs.This one is like a Jamaican doo wop,the other by the Kingsmen is Raw Rock n Roll.Depends on your taste.I prefer the harder rock Kingsmen version.The original is not always the best.This song sounds like so many of the songs of the same era 1950's.The Kingsmen version sounds unique in it's era 1960's.
Kcinekard 1 year ago
@dharmaseed the only versions that you can understand the lyrics are richard berry and the beach boys
spacepatrolman 7 months ago
When I wrote the Richard Berry comment, I'd forgotten that 1310 wasn't KDIA when this song was out. It was KWBR. I was remembering bay area radio stations from back in the day, such as KEWB channel 91; KYA 1260, and KWBR "popped up." And, I was like, "What was KWBR?" Then, a clear memory. KWBR was 1310 before KDIA.
CheckMate657879 1 year ago
Richard Berry's "Louie-Louie" WAS a hit back in the day. I was about 7 years old when this was out. I listened to KDIA, as well. Richard Berry was also on American Bandstand singing this song. Thanks for posting it.
CheckMate657879 1 year ago 2
@CheckMate657879 Some of the 45s had a misprint saying LOUIE LOVIE
srercrcr 1 year ago
@CheckMate657879 Check out my video (just audio) of Rosko the KDIA DJ (1962) on the Tube.
srercrcr 1 year ago
@srercrcr Oh wow! Thanks - Can't wait - actually - Rosko - that whole space take-off thing - should be cool.
CheckMate657879 1 year ago
@CheckMate657879 KDIA! Hell yeah! & KSOL, too! East Bay Grease!
CrudeDude 1 year ago
Isn't it funny how Richard wrote such a fantastic song that I believe shows no resemblance to any other song. True creativity and genius.
srercrcr 1 year ago
@srercrcr - I agree; it is a unique & great song, but check it out --
"In 1955, Berry was inspired to write a new calypso-style song, "Louie Louie", based on René Touzet's "El Loco Cha Cha", and also influenced by Chuck Berry's "Havana Moon"...
If you take the percussive rhythm and chords to "El Loco Cha Cha" and the vocal style & vignette created by Chuck Berry, you can see how Richard came up with Louie Louie. Very creative & his original version is classic!
surfercrow 1 year ago
@srercrcr
It is actually using a very traditional bass and drum rhythm. But yeah, he helped introduce rock and roll to this bass line and its just never quit.
MrJDFrog 1 year ago
I'm lovin you man, in a music kinda way!
You should have been there back in the day....
Not to be heard on the Top 40 stations, only R&B.
My brother and I would sneak down the dial to discover the pot of gold!
I guess kids can still do the same thing today but I'm not so sure their music will stand the test of time.
srercrcr 1 year ago
so it's not just MY 78 that has that wobbly sound to it.
God I love this cut...
Fuck the Kingsmen
this is the real deal
bugsycline 1 year ago