The Kingsmen are a 1960s garage rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States. They are best known for their 1963 recording of R&B singer Richard Berry's "Louie Louie", which held the No. 2 spot on the Billboard charts for six weeks and has become an enduring classic. In total, the Kingsmen charted 13 singles from 1963 to 1968 and five consecutive albums from 1963 to 1966. Their first album, The Kingsmen in Person, remained on the Billboard Top LPs chart for 131 weeks from January 1964 to August 1966. Their early albums were released internationally in Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, and Taiwan.
Links to Peel[]
Peel was a fan of the band's well known hit, Louie Louie, which he would sometimes play on his programmes. The song was also covered by many artists, that Peel often played, including their version of the Louie Louie track. In 1999, the DJ included the Kingsmen worldwide hit in his four choices for the 1964 Peelenium. Three years later, he played the lesser-known original version of the song by its writer, rhythm and blues artist Richard Berry, from the Ace Records themed collection ‘Love That Louie: The Louie Louie Files.'
Shows Played[]
- 07 January 1985: Louie Louie (LP – Kent Stop Dancing) Kent
- 1999
- 27 October 1999: 'Louie Louie (7")' (Wand)