The Kingsmen
By Bob Fagan
The Kingsmen formed in the late 50s in Portland, Oregon. The date of their formation is given variously as 1957 and 1959. The original band members were mostly still in their mid-teens when they first came together. Playing spirited if sloppy covers of the hits of the day, they were a popular favorite frat-rock and dance party band. In 1963 they entered a tiny recording studio and recorded their version of a song entitled “Louie Louie,” which was already known through recordings by its author Richard Berry (1957 Flip Records) as well as their Tacoma, WA rivals The Wailers, who released their version in 1961.
The song’s historical background is worth noting. Berry adapted the... Read More
- Genre:
- Rock, Garage Rock, Oldies
- City Of Origin:
- Portland, ,Oregon United States
- Formed Date:
- 1957
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