That rock god in the white T-shirt is the world famous Clapton Bob Napier, and the cool dude in black, with the sign of Zorro on his hat, is yours truly. Right behind us, keeping his head down and paying attention to his licks, is Portland music legend (and Rock Residue alumnus) Tough Jim Gaston. We three plunked down twenty bucks for charity (funding arts and music for the Boys and Girls Clubs) to bang on our guitars with The Fabulous Wailers, Paul Revere, members of the Kingsmen, Moby Grape and Heart and about 700 other maniacs at the Tacoma's Cheyney Stadium.
The goal was to gather a thousand guitar players, and that didn't quite happen, but we made a hell of a lot of noise. Though more Louie Fests followed, they never drew more guitars. We make our appearance at about the 5:07 mark of the video below, and hang around for ten seconds or so. Listen if you dare.
April 11 was selected as International Louie, Louie Day because it's supposedly the birthday of Jack Ely, who sang the notorious Kingsmen version recorded back in 1963. If true, Happy Birthday, Jack. (Thanks to the Town Crier of the Blogosphere, Mr. Bill Crider, for the tip-off.)
The history lesson above was an entry in a video contest in conjunction with the 2007 LouieFest in Tacoma, WA. As far as I know, no winner was ever announced, and no prizes awarded. Tsk. The Strychnine Five was, is, and always has been, me and Mr. Drew Bentley, now passing as a mere mortal in the suburbs of Omaha, NE. That's him singing, while I bang on my old Japanese Squier Strat.
The Sonics, of course, did the best version ever recorded, bar none. The group has reformed, and they're still doing it. Live performances are all over YouTube, but none better than this.
You might want to turn your sound down for this one. This was LouieFest I (aka 1001 Guitars) in Tacoma in 2003. If you look real close at the 6:06 mark, you'll see a blurry Cap'n Bob Napier (white T-shirt and blue jeans), Brian Trainer (of Portland's fabled Rock Residue, similarly attired) and me (black Zorro cap and shirt, fiddling with my antique Gibson flat-top box). I believe the "thousand" guitars numbered closer to 700.
Want more Louie? Your best source for All Louie, All the Time is Eric Predoehl's The Louie Report, HERE.
It's true. Today is International Louie Louie Day, and since this is Davy's second favorite song. we're celebrating.
Why today? Well, mainly because April 11 is the birthday of Richard Berry, the esteemed author of the song. For lots more on Louie Louie Day, and lots more on all things Louie Louie, click HERE.
I, of course, have many favorite versions of the song, but my top two at the moment are the screamers below, by the Sonics and Iggy Pop. First, though, a little history lesson, which features me banging on my guitar (but not singing - that's the multi-talented Drew Bentley of Omaha, NE).
You've heard the Kingsmen's version, probably many more times than you'd like. The all-thumbs guitar solo, the offbeat drumming, and most of all, the whiny, incomprehensible lyrics. Yeah, it's pretty bad, but somehow conveyed a primitive power that captivated a nation. Believe it or not, the recording was a hit even before word got out that the lyrics were dirty.
Anyway, the Kingsmen's version has so dominated the scene that other early (and some would say better) recordings of the song are neglected or forgotten. Though the song has now been recorded about 1,600 times (see louielouie.net), you'll rarely catch any of them on the radio (except, of course, the one by you-know-who).
THE FIRST LOUIE: RICHARD BERRY
Richard Berry, the doo-wop singer who wrote this classic ditty, released the first recording in 1957 with sort of a calypso beat. It was not a big hit. I prefer the Kingsmen's version to this, but present it as an historical arty-fact.
THE WAILERS WAIL
Though the song was forgotten elsewhere, bands in the Northwest discovered it made a great rock tune. Which group actually recorded it first is unclear, but this 1961 version by Rockin' Robin Roberts and The Wailers (of Tacoma, WA) was the one that got the air play and inspired the Kingsmen and the Raiders.
GRAB YOUR WOMAN, IT'S PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS
Legend has it this version was recorded in the same Portland, Oregon studio used by the Kingsmen, and during the very same week in 1963. Though the Raiders' version was a bigger hit in the Northwest, the Kingsmen caught a lucky break. Their record was picked up for national distribution, while the Raiders' rendition was squelched by Columbia Records mogul Mitch Miller, who hated rock 'n' roll.
THE SONICS BOOM
This now-legendary Tacoma band was nurtured by The Wailers, and produced some of the most powerful rock of the sixties. In 1965, when most bands were trying to sound like The Beatles, The Sonics were doing this . . .
AND NOW, MISS JULIE LONDON
Yes, Louie had a softer side, too, and you've probably heard the one by The Sandpipers (of "Guantanamera" fame). But largely forgotten is this sultry rendition by Julie London. If you're sleepy at the end, play The Sonics' version again.
For links to more tunes on this first Forgotten Music Thursday, check out Scott Parker's blog!
