Jack Ely, Kingsmen singer who made 'Louie, Louie' famous, is dead at 71
The Kingsmen didn't write the song "Louie, Louie" — that would be Richard Berry — but they recorded the only version that really counts, at a recording studio in Portland, Oregon, in 1963. Jack Ely, the singer who unintelligibly shouted out the lyrics, died Tuesday at age 71 at his home outside Bend, Oregon. His son, Sean Ely, confirmed the death to The Associated Press, and said he didn't know what illness his father died of, "because of his religious beliefs."
The recording that made Ely's garage band famous, as well as the song they covered, was a quirk of fate. The Kingsmen were going to record it as an instrumental, but "at the last minute I decided I'd sing it," Ely said, according to his son. The garbled vocals are due to the fact that he'd had his braces tightened that day, and the recording engineer put the microphone a few feet above Ely's head, so he had to stand on his toes, lean his head back 45 degrees, and shout out the lyrics.
The band didn't like the recording; the world loved it. The FBI investigated the recording for lewd lyrics but ruled the song incomprehensible. Ely left the band soon after the recording, in a dispute with the drummer, who wanted to be lead singer. Jack Ely spend his later years training horses, and he made his final recording in 2012, a gospel album called Love is All Around You Now.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 23, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - loving thy neighbour, an HR matter, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Giuliani must hand assets to women he defamed
Speed Read The former New York City mayor must turn over his apartment and other possessions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter, is dead at 88
Speed Read The musician wrote hit songs for Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash before starring in Hollywood movies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Shannen Doherty, star of '90210,' dies at 53
Speed Read The 'Charmed' actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published