"Louie Louie" / "Maryann"

MISC NOTES:

1PA, 1RA & 1RB.) Monarch Records pressing #s: ^38481 - X ("Louie Louie") / ^38481 ("Maryann") (Mar. - Apr., 1961)

This version of "Louie Louie" 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.

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:*

Artist name on disc label = ROCKIN ROBIN ROBERTS

[HEAR IT HERE] "Louie Louie"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb9JTI3TBRw

[HEAR IT HERE] "Maryann"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu2p1t4Luok

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.)

(Not known if white/black promo labels existed prior to Liberty Records assuming distribution duties.)

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. *

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 compilation lp The Wailers & Co. (Etiquette #022)

1983. Side one, track #3 on compilation lp The Best Of Louie, Louie. (Rhino
Records RNEP 605)

2000. As ROCKIN' ROBIN AND THE WAILERS. Disc one, track #6 on cd compilation album Wild And Wooly: The Northwest Collection (Experience Music Project EMPCD 001)

A-SIDE MATRIX:
1PA.)  E - 001
1RA.)  No Listing
1PB.)
1RB.)  E - 001
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1PA.) 45 - "LOUIE, LOUIE (etched)
1RA.) 45 - "LOUIE, LOUIE" (etched}
1PB.)
1RB.)
a.) 45 - "LOUIE, LOUIE" (etched)
b.) Inf. Lost
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Richard Berry
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Limax Pub. (BMI)

B-SIDE MATRIX:
1PA.) E - 002
1RA.) No Listing
1PB.)
1RB.) E - 002 (label)
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1PA.) 45 - MARY ANN (etched)
1RA.) 45 - MARY ANN (etched)
1PB.)
1RB.)
a.) 45 - MARY ANN (etched)
b.) 47763 - MR - 45DO - 754  2 - E002 (etched?)*
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Ray Charles
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Progressive (BMI)

Don Blocker with the Promotion Dept. at Liberty Records:  "(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."

(Adapted from: Liberty Records A History of the Recording Company and Its Stars 1955 - 1971 Vol. 1 pg. #383. Michael "Doc Rock" Kelly 1993)