"Louie Louie" / "Maryann"
KOL radio chart, April 6, 1961.
MISC NOTES: This version of "Louie Louie" was the first "garage rock" version of Richard Berry's old R&B version of the song. It quickly became a #1 radio hit in Seattle during March-May, 1961. Following that success, Los Angeles' big-time Liberty Records stepped up and cut a deal with Etiquette Records, and fresh pressings included text identifying Liberty as the distributor. Later the song resurfaced again as a local radio hit in the spring/summer of 1962 during the Seattle World's Fair. Popular in the Northwest, the song just never broke out as a wider hit. "(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: (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: Rockin' Robin Roberts (lead vocals); the Wailers; backing vocals by Kent Morrill, Gail Harris and Rich Dangel.
RECORDING STUDIO: Joe Boles Custom Recorders
RECORDING ENGINEER: Joe Boles
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:*
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)
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:
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. 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.*
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. 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:
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
Disc one, track #6 on Wild And Wooly: The Northwest Collection (Experience Music Project EMPCD 001) compilation CD. 2000