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Singer of Iconic 1963 Song Dies In Redmond

REDMOND, OR -- The man who wrote the iconic song "Louie Louie" died at his Redmond home earlier this week, at the age of 71. Jack Ely's son confirmed his death on Tuesday.

 

Ely recorded the song with his band The Kingsmen in Portland in 1963. Ely's son says his dad got a kick out of the controversy spawned by the song's release -- the FBI launched an investigation into the lyrics after some claimed they could hear lewd words. As a result, radio stations began to ban "Louie Louie." Eventually the Feds determined the song was "Unintelligible at any speed."

 

Ely left the Kingsmen shortly after recording the song and later trained horses in Central Oregon.

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