The first band that ever recorded the song "Louie Louie" reunited at a benefit concert for the Doo Wop Society of Southern California on February 24, at the Petroleum Club, Long Beach, California writes Eric Predoehl. For the first time in 35 years, Richard Berry performed with the Pharaohs, the band he originally recorded "Louie Louie" with in 1957. The event was a show put on by the Doo Wop Society of Southern California, and featured other R&B artists from the period, including Tony Allen, Leon Peels, The Calvanes, The Satellites, and The Dreamers, a band that backed up Richard Berry for such songs as "Jelly Roll," "Baby Darling," and "Daddy Daddy," among others. The show celebrated classic Los Angeles Rhythm & Blues groups for the Black History Month. "Louie Louie was originally written by Richard Berry in 1955. The show was also recorded for the upcoming feature documentary, The Meaning Of Louie Louie.
An Internet website promoting this upcoming documentary has been launched at: http://www.louielouie.net Eric is also looking for archive material for this documentary. He is looking for itmes on the following: The Los Angeles Rhythm and Blues scene in the 1950's, with a special interest in anything related to Richard Berry; Also any film footage of Jesse Belvin, The Flairs, The Robins, The Pharaohs, The Dreamers, Rick Rillera's Rhythm Rockers, and Johnny Otis; Anything on Hunter Hancock, the pivotal disc jockey of Los Angeles radio station KGFJ; the Northwest dance-hall scene of the late 1950's and early 60s; Instructional material on such dance steps as "The Gator," "The Worm," "The Krunch," and similar movements; Radio charts that acknowledge the song Louie Louie regardless of the performer, including individual radio charts, as well as chart listings within Billboard, Cashbox, and other trade journals; Media coverage of the mid-1960's FBI Louie investigations; Rare performances of "Louie Louie," especially from the 1960's.
If you can help or have any old newspaper articles, magazines, promotional materials, photographs, and especially motion picture footage from this era, please contact: Eric Predoehl at PO Box 2430, Santa Clara, California 95055-2430, USA or Phone: (408) 749-9757; e-mail: eplouie@LouieLouie.net
From B&R 109