"Louie Louie" / "Maryann"

MISC NOTES: This record's labels credited the artists as "Rockin' Robin Roberts - who was the lead singer for the Wailers (1959-1963). Their take on "Louie Louie" was the first "garage rock" rendition of Richard Berry's original '50s R&B version of the song. It made its radio debut on Seattle's mighty KJR radio quickly became a #1 hit in town during March-May, 1961. KJR's top DJ, Pat O'Day flew to Los Angeles and convinced the big-time Liberty Records label to license the single from Etiquette for national distribution, and fresh pressings included text identifying Liberty as the distributor. Later in 1962 the song resurfaced again as a local #1 radio hit during the Seattle World's Fair. Although a foundational tune on the bubbling Northwest teen-dance scene, the song just never broke out as a wider hit.

As Don Blocker from the Promotion Dept. of Liberty Records would later note: "[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." (Liberty Records A History of the Recording Company and Its Stars 1955 - 1971 Vol. 1 pg. #383. by Michael "Doc Rock" Kelly 1993)

LOCATION: Seattle,  WA
RECORDING PERSONNEL: Rockin' Robin Roberts (lead vocals); Rich Dangel (guitar, backing vocals); Kent Morrill (keys, backing vocals), Gail Harris (backing vocals); Mark Marush (sax); Buck Ormsby (bass); Mike Burk (drums).
RECORDING STUDIO: Joe Boles Custom Recorders
RECORDING ENGINEER: Joe Boles

FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:*

A-SIDE MATRIX:
1RA.) No Listing
1PA.) E - 001
1PB.)
1PC.)
1PD.)
1RB.) E - 001
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1RA.) 45 - "Louie, Louie"  ^38481 - X (etched)
1PA.) 45 - "Louie, Louie"   ^38481 - X (etched)
1PB.)
1PC.)
1PD.)
1RB.) 45 - "Louie, Louie"   ^38481 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Richard Berry
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Limax Pub. (BMI)

B-SIDE MATRIX:
1RA.) No Listing
1PA.) E - 002
1PB.)
1PC.)
1PD.)
1RB.) E - 002
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1RA.) 45 - Mary Ann  ^38481 (etched)
1PA.) 45 - Mary Ann  ^38481 (etched)
1PB.)
1PC.)
1PD.)
1RB.) 45 - Mary Ann ^38481 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Ray Charles
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Progressive (BMI)

Known Label Designs:
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.
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, WA on two lines bottom center of label. (As displayed on Etiquette home page).
1PB.) A - B promo label. As #1PA above, but without Liberty Records distribution information PROMOTIONAL COPY NOT FOR SALE.*
1PC.) A - B promo label. White background.  Black top-hatted logo, numerals and lettering including PROMOTIONAL COPY NOT FOR SALE.  No Liberty distribution wording.*
1PD.) 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. *

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: 
1964. Side one track #3 on The Wailers & Co. (Etiquette #022) compilation LP.

1963. Side one, track #3 on The Best Of Louie, Louie (Rhino Records RNEP 605) compilation lp

2000. Disc one, track #6 on Wild And Wooly: The Northwest Collection (Experience Music Project EMPCD 001) compilation CD.