re: Psych-Out, or Riot On Sunset Strip

quote:

---

Jack Brown Ely (September 11, 1943 – April 28, 2015) was an American guitarist and singer, best known for singing the Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie". Classically trained in piano, he began playing guitar after seeing Elvis Presley on television. In 1959, he co-founded the Kingsmen and with them recorded "Louie Louie" in 1963; Ely's famously incoherent vocals were partly the result of his braces and the rudimentary recording method. Before the record became a hit Ely was forced out of the group and began playing with his new band, the Courtmen

---

quote:

---

On August 16 during a band practice, Easton staged a "hostile takover",[21] telling Ely that he wanted to abandon the drums and become the frontman and singer.[22] Ely would have to become the drummer, and since the band's name was registered to Easton only, he technically led the group. Ely was not happy with this turn of events, and he and Nordby left the band at once. At the time, the song had sold roughly 600 copies and it was thought that the Kingsmen would disband.[23] When he found out "Louie Louie" was climbing up the Billboard charts, Ely attempted to rejoin the group, but was blocked by Easton who was intent on adding replacements.[24]

In a 1998 interview Ely said, "My life stopped at that moment. It was my voice. I was the one who found the song. I was the one that arranged it. It was my band. And look what happened."[25] Seeking "redemption and retribution", he formed his own "Kingsmen" group, touring as "The Original Singer of Louie Louie",[26] and also recorded "Love That Louie" in 1964 for RCA Records as Jack E. Lee and the Squires.

A legal battle ensued and a 1966 settlement resulted in Ely ceasing to call his group the Kingsmen and Wand Records being required to credit Ely as lead vocalist on all future "Louie Louie" pressings.[18] Ely received $6000 in royalties, and Easton had to stop lip-synching the song in live performances.[27] Ely also received royalties going forward for "Louie Louie" and "Haunted Castle", plus a gold record for "Louie Louie"

---