"Louie Louie" - The Kingsmen - 1963 "Louie Louie" is a rhythm and blues song written and composed by American musician Richard Berry in 1955, recorded in 1956, and released in 1957. It is best known for the 1963 hit version by the Kingsmen and has become a standard in pop and rock. The song is based on the tune "El Loco Cha Cha" popularized by bandleader René Touzet and is an example of Afro-Cuban influence on American popular music. | Clamih

On this date in 1963, THE KINGSMEN released their classic single LOUIE LOUIE (Jun 17, 1963). An r'n'b number written and composed by Richard Berry in 1955 (with his group The Pharaohs, he was also the first to record the song), LOUIE LOUIE is best known for the 1963 hit version by the Kingsmen and has become a standard in pop and rock. Various garage bands heard it and started covering the song until it became a phenomenon with the Kingsmen's 1963 version. While much of the song's notoriety come