In 1963, two bands from the Portland area recorded the same obscure R&B song at almost the same time. One version became one of the most famous rock records ever made. The other disappeared almost instantly. This is the story of the great “Louie Louie” battle between Paul Revere and the Raiders and The Kingsmen.
The Song That Started It All
“Louie Louie” was originally written and recorded by Richard Berry in 1955 as a slow, laid-back R&B tune about a sailor missing his girl back home. It remained mostly unknown for years until garage bands in the Pacific Northwest started playing it live.
By 1963, both Paul Revere and the Raiders and The Kingsmen — two local Portland-area groups — had the song in their sets and decided to record it.
The Raiders Get There First… Almost
The Raiders, who were already gaining traction in the Pacific Northwest, recorded their version of “Louie Louie.” Columbia Records heard it and liked it so much that they signed the band — reportedly becoming the first rock group ever signed to the major label.
Everything looked promising. The Raiders had professional management, growing popularity, and a major label backing them. Their version was clean, energetic, and well-played.
The Kingsmen Strike Gold
Just days earlier, however, The Kingsmen — a rival local band on a tiny independent label — had also recorded the song. Their version was raw, sloppy in all the right ways, and featured the now-legendary mumbled vocals by Jack Ely.
That roughness turned out to be perfect. The Kingsmen’s “Louie Louie” exploded onto the national charts. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, sold millions of copies, and became the ultimate garage rock anthem. It even sparked an FBI investigation into whether the lyrics were obscene (they weren’t).
Why The Raiders Lost the Race
The Raiders’ version was more polished and professional, but that ended up working against them. While The Kingsmen’s chaotic, energetic take captured the wild spirit of garage rock, the Raiders’ cleaner sound felt less exciting by comparison.
By the time Columbia released the Raiders’ single, The Kingsmen’s version had already taken over the airwaves. The Raiders’ “Louie Louie” barely made a dent nationally and was quickly forgotten.
A Tough Blow for the Raiders
This loss was a major setback. After getting signed to a big label, the Raiders watched another local band score the breakout hit they had hoped for. They would spend the next two years grinding it out on the road, surviving while many other American bands fell apart during the height of the British Invasion.
However, this disappointment ultimately helped shape their future. It pushed them to develop the sharper, tougher sound that would lead to their string of big hits starting in 1965 with “Just Like Me,” “Kicks,” and “Hungry.”
Two Very Different Legacies
The Kingsmen became forever known as the band behind “Louie Louie.” Despite many attempts, they were never able to score another major hit, making them a classic one-hit wonder.
The Raiders, on the other hand, went on to have a much bigger career with multiple Top 10 hits, gold albums, heavy TV exposure, and even a surprise #1 hit years later with “Indian Reservation.”
In an ironic twist, the band that “lost” the Louie Louie battle actually had the longer and more successful career.
The Portland Showdown That Rocked Music History
The 1963 Louie Louie race is a perfect example of how timing, luck, and raw energy can matter more than polish in rock and roll. One band got the immortal hit. The other got a valuable lesson — and eventually much greater success.
Both versions are worth listening to today. They capture a special moment when garage rock was about to take over America.
One song. Two bands. Two very different paths in rock history.