"Louie, Louie" Singer, Jack Ely, Dies
Way back in the early 60s, The Kingsmen, a popular vocal group, recorded the song Louie, Louie , and history was made.
J. Edgar Hoover, thinking that the song must be obscene, launched a detailed FBI investigation into The Kingsmen, notably Jack Ely, but the investigation concluded that the song was unintelligible at any speed.
Mr. Ely, had a falling out with the band shortly after the song hit the airwaves, leaving The Kingstons to train horses.
The Kingstons were originally going to record the song as an instrumental, but at the last moment, Ely decided to sing. The recording studio placed a microphone in the center of the band, high above the drums to get a more "live" feel, and Ely had to tilt his head back and sing at the top of his lungs to be heard. He has always said that his unusual position, with his head tilted back at a 45o angle, made the vocal more difficult the understand.
Mr. Ely passed away at his home after a long illness.
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May he rest in peace!
You may also recognize this hit by The Kingsmen, Money :
I saw that. Now I can't get the song out of my head.
That sure brings back the memories
I loved that song when it came out! It was also in the movie "Dave", where the president sang "Louie, Louie" at some factory... Funny!
It does to me, too!
Rest in peace Jack! "Louie Louie" was on of my very favorite songs. I think it was a favorite of thousands !!
I have it on several cD's in the car and love it!
RIP Jack,
Love the song
Dowser....
Thanks for the memories. Just this song alone, may be one of the mostfamiliar ones in all of music history! RIP Jack Ely.
I wonder how many other bands recorded that song after it became popular....hhmmm