Richard Berry
Full Name
Richard Berry Jr.
Date of Birth
April 11, 1935
Place of Birth
Date of Death
January 23, 1997
Place of Death
Education
Not available
Spouses Names
Not available
Children Names
Not available
Parents Names
Not available
Known Affiliates Names
Affiliated Organizations’ Names
Richard Berry was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known for writing and originally recording the song “Louie Louie,” which became a huge hit for The Kingsmen in the 1960s and an enduring rock ‘n’ roll anthem. Born in Extension, Louisiana, Berry moved to Los Angeles during his childhood, where he became involved in the local doo-wop scene.Berry’s career began in the early 1950s, and he performed with several doo-wop groups, including The Flairs and The Robins. His deep baritone voice and songwriting talent made him a notable figure in the rhythm and blues genre. “Louie Louie,” recorded in 1957 with his backing band The Pharaohs, initially achieved modest success. However, the song’s simple, catchy riff and ambiguous lyrics led to its widespread popularity and numerous cover versions.Despite the massive success of “Louie Louie,” Berry saw little financial gain from the song until the late 1980s, when a legal battle restored his rights to the composition. This allowed him to benefit from the song’s royalties in his later years.Richard Berry’s contribution to music extends beyond “Louie Louie.” He wrote several other songs and remained active in the music scene until his health declined. Berry passed away in 1997, leaving behind a legacy as a foundational figure in the development of rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues music.