Born: April 11, 1935, Extension, Louisiana Died: January 23, 1997, Los Angeles, California Los Angeles RnB and vocal group singer, songwriter and musician. Recorded most actively in the 1950s and 60s. He performed and recorded with many of the doo wop bands based out of Fremont High School. Most notably he wrote and recorded the original "Louie, Louie," later performed by The Kingsmen. Once the subject of an annual marathon by California college radio station KFJC, it is the second the most-covered song in in the history of rock music. Married to Dorothy Berry.
Father of Josphine Berry
Brother of Philippe Berry
His movie Moi Csar, 10 ans 1/2, 1m39 is directly inspired by his childhood which was sometimes painful.
Uncle of Marilou Berry
Father of Coline Berry with actress Catherine Hiegel.
Entered the CNSAD in 1969.
Louie Louie became a big hit when The Kingsmen recorded a rock n roll version. Over the decades, over 1,600 versions of Louie Louie were cut by various singers.
In 1955, Richard Berry wrote the LOUIE LOUIE song lyrics on a roll of toilet paper while he was backstage before a performance.
In the 1980s, Berry was living in poverty in Los Angeles, California. The California Cooler Corporation. Wanted to use his famous song in their commercials. Their lawyer helped Berry file a lawsuit against Flip Records executives for breach of contract and recovery of royalties. Out of court, Berry received a $25 Million settlement. The publicity revived his musical career, and he toured in concerts until his death around 1996.
Louie Louie was on the soundtrack of many movies including Old School, American Graffiti, and Friday Night Lights. In 1978s Animal House, John Belushi (Bluto) sings the song.
Around 1957, Berry recorded Louie Louie with The Pharaohs for the Flip Records label. In 1959, Berry sold the music rights to Flip Records for a paltry $750.
