"Louie Louie" / "Maryann"
KOL radio chart, April 6, 1961.
MISC NOTES: This version of "Louie Louie" was the first "garage rock" version of "Louie Louie." It became an instant #1 radio hit in Seattle during March, 1961. It resurfaced again as a local radio hit in the spring/summer of 1962 during the "Century 21" Seattle World's Fair.
"(In 1961) Liberty had (distribution for) the original rock version of 'Louie, Louie.' It was on Etiquette Records by (Rockin' Robin Roberts and) the Wailers. I bought the master because it was selling in the Northwest. But I couldn't convince anyone to go out and work it, especially Bob Skaff, who was head of promotion at the time. He said 'It's a white group, but they sound R & B, I can't promote that.' He wouldn't work it, and he didn't work it. Then (in 1963) the Kingsmen came out with an identical version. Our version was first, and (in 1964) I got it released on [the] Imperial album [Tall Cool One LP-9262] but (again) could not convince anyone that it was a hit." Don Blocker with the Promotion Dept. at Liberty Records: (Adapted from: Liberty Records A History of the Recording Company and Its Stars 1955 - 1971 Vol. 1 pg. #383. Michael "Doc Rock" Kelly 1993)
LOCATION: Seattle
RECORDING PERSONNEL: The Wailers
RECORDING STUDIO: Joe Boles Custom Recorders
RECORDING ENGINEER: Joe Boles
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:*
KOL radio chart , April 30, 1962. This was the second year in a row that this song became a Top-10 hit in Seattle. It coincided with the April 21st opening of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair season.
Known Label Designs:
1PA.) A - B promo label. White background. Black top-hatted logo, numerals and lettering. Distributed by Liberty Records Sales Corp. Los Angeles, Calif. AUDITION RECORD lower right of spindle hole. Address: P.O. Box 682 Tacoma, Wash. on two lines bottom center of label. (As displayed above.)
1PB.) A - B promo label. As #1PA above, but without Liberty Records distribution information PROMOTIONAL COPY NOT FOR SALE.*
1RA.) A - B retail label. Red background. Black top-hatted logo, numerals and lettering. No distribution wording. Address: P.O. Box 682 on two lines bottom center of label.
1PB.) A - B promo label. White background. Black top hatted-logo, numerals and lettering. Distributed by Liberty Records Sales Corp. Los Angeles, Calif. lower left of spindle hole. No promotional/audition wording. *
1PC.) A - B promo label. White background. Black top-hatted logo, numerals and lettering including PROMOTIONAL COPY NOT FOR SALE. No Liberty distribution wordin.*
1RB.) A - B retail label. Red background. Black top-hatted logo, numerals and lettering. Distributed by Liberty Record Sales Corp. Los Angeles, Calif. on four lines lower left of spindle hole. Address: P.O. Box 682 Tacoma, Wash. on two lines bottom center of label.
"Louie Louie" Album Reissues:
Side one track #3 on The Wailers & Co. (Etiquette #022) compilation LP. 1964
Side one, track #3 on The Best Of Louie, Louie (Rhino Records RNEP 605) compilation lp 1983
[As ROCKIN' ROBIN AND THE WAILERS] Disc one, track #6 on Wild And Wooly: The Northwest Collection (Experience Music Project EMPCD 001) compilation CD. 2000
A-SIDE MATRIX: E - 001
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE: 45 - "LOUIE, LOUIE (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Richard Berry
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Limax Pub. (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX: E - 002
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:45 - MARY ANN (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Ray Charles
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Progressive (BMI)