On Christmas Eve, Ray Collins, original lead singer for Frank Zappa‘s Mothers of Invention, died in Pomona, Calif. He was 76 years old. Ray Collins began his musical career playing with Little…
Remembering Rockin’ Robin Roberts – 45 years later
Six years ago, I wrote about Robin Roberts – the first person to record Richard Berry‘s LOUIE LOUIE with the rock ‘n’ roll arrangement used by the Kingsmen, Revere & Raiders, the…
James Henry & Olympics – Sloopy (LOUIE-mutant) of the Week
This week, the LOUIE of the Week spotlight goes out to a song that’s not quite LOUIE, but a close relative of the song… a variation that we in the LOUIE circle…
RIP: John W. Thoennes, NW musician + promoter
I’m saddened to report that my friend John Thoennes has passed away. John was a musician from Seaside, Oregon that played with a variety of different bands – Patriot, Washington Merry-Go-Round, the…
Martinsville High School Pep Band – LOUIE of Week
This week’s LOUIE is by the Martinsville High School Pep Band, captured on video with a nice little POV perspective from a band member in the horn section! The enthusiasm is contagious!…
Grateful Dead – LOUIE of the Week
This week, I’m backlogged again with more things, and the LOUIE of the Week is late again… so it’s time for an oldie, but goodie… It’s a band that was loved by…
Red Hot Chili Peppers with Toots (of Maytals) – LOUIE of the Week
Here’s something you don’t see every day – Red Hot Chili Peppers performing LOUIE LOUIE with Toots of The Maytals at a Roman Abramovich’s last New Year’s Eve Party (Dec 2011- January…
Lenny Kaye & the Jay Vons – LOUIE of the Week
In the world of garage rock musicologists, many of us think of Lenny Kaye as a virtual GOD. He’s had a remarkable career as a musician, producer, and journalist. In 1972, he…
Soul Benders with special guests Jack Ely & Norm Sundholm of Kingsmen – LOUIE of Week
Here’s something you don’t see every day – a special performance by two former members of the Kingsmen that never toured together. The Soul Benders were performing live in Bend, Oregon, and…
Norton Records needs help!
Our friends at Norton Records were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. Their entire stock – LPs, CDs, 45s, picture sleeves, CD booklets, record labels and more – was destroyed by this terrible…