What musician that started playing in the late 50’s, early 60’s or even 70’s didn’t play the song “Louie, Louie?” It’s a Rock standard, a Rock Classic, a Rock Masterpiece! The man who wrote and originally recorded the classic was Mr. Richard Berry. Tomorrow, April 11th is his birthday. I had the honors of spending time with Mr. Berry. As always, I had a bunch of questions for the Rock Icon and absorbed his every word like a sponge. Mr. Berry was one of the early pioneers of Rock n’ Roll and recorded with a who’s who of early rock groups i.e., the Penguins, Cadets, Chimes, Crowns, Five Hearts, the Hunters, the Rams, the Whips and the Dreamers and eventually joined the Flairs who also recorded as the Debonaires and the Flamingoes. In 1953 the great song writing team of Lieber and Stoller recruited Mr. Berry to provide the lead vocals on the Robins record … “Riot In Cell Block #9”. It was Richard Berry who sang the counterpart to Etta James first record … “The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry)”. In 1954, Mr. Berry left the Flairs to start his own group called the Pharoahs. The following year, he wrote the Iconic … “Louie, Louie” … a song inspired by two songs, “El Loco Cha Cha” by the Rhythm Rockers and Chuck Berry’s Havana Moon”. One night while waiting backstage at the Harmony Club Ballroom, Mr. Berry took the rhythm of “El Loco Cha Cha” and began to write lyrics on a piece of toilet paper. It was released as the “B” side of the Richard Berry and the Pharoahs cover of “You are My Sunshine” for the Flip Record Label in 1957. It was re-released as the “A” side because of its popularity with R&B bands at the time. The song later became a hit record for the Kingsmen in 1963 and then covered by many rock groups like Paul Revere and the Raiders. The song was misinterpreted as obscene and banned by radio stations and investigated by the FBI. The song was recorded over 1,000 times. Berry, however received little financial success for many years. In the mid 1980’s Mr. Berry was living on welfare in Los Angeles, California and was approached by a lawyer to take action to gain rights to his song … “Louie, Louie”. Mr. Berry settled out of court, making him a millionaire. The one thing I remember the most about Mr. Berry was how humble he was and appreciative for his music career. This Sunday night at 8:00 PM (EST) on my internet radio show … jukinoldies.com … Johnny Angels Heavenly Soul Show … I will be spotlighting Mr. Richard Berry and celebrating his Birthday and musical accomplishments. Richard Berry … “Louie, Louie” the Rock Standard for most musicians of my generation!