Post by Lydia Purple on Dec 15, 2013 14:37:20 GMT -8
Wracked by internal problems, The Kingsmen had their biggest hit when their controversial recording of Richard Berry's 1958 R&B hit, "Louie Louie" peaked at no.2, where it was to spend six weeks all together. three behind The Singing Nun's "Dominique" and three behind Bobby Vinton's "There I've Said It Again", on the US chart. Singer/guitarist, Jack Ely, who sang lead vocals on the record had already quit after the group's self-appointed leader, saxophonist Lynn Easton, assumed the role of frontman himself and tried to relegate him to the drums. Bassist Bob Nordby left as well and they were replaced by Gary Abbott and Norm Sundholm. the band had two more hits after that; "money", which went to no.16 the following year and "The Jolly Green Giant", which made no.4 early in 1965.
NOTE: Unable to decipher the "Louie Louie" lyrics, the Governor of Indiana assumed them to be obscene, asked local radio stations not to play it and called on the Indiana Broadcasters Association to ban it. J. Edgar Hoover also ordered the FBI to investigate the song, but they were unable to establish anything, so the investigation ended without prosecution.
"Louie Louie" has been recognized by organizations and publications worldwide for its influence on the history of rock and roll. A partial list includes the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, National Public Radio, VH1, Rolling Stone Magazine, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Recording Industry Association of America. In addition to new versions appearing regularly on YouTube and elsewhere, other major examples of the song's legacy include the unsuccessful 1985 attempt to make it the state song of Washington, the celebration of International Louie Louie Day every year on April 11, the 1985-1989 annual Louie Louie Parade in Philadelphia, the 2003-2012 LouieFest in Tacoma, and the ongoing annual Louie Louie Parade and Festival in Peoria.
(Source; Wikipedia & The History of Rock Day by Day)