Who Is Richard Berry?

Richard Berry (April 11, 1935 – January 23, 1997) was an influential African-American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as the composer and original performer of the iconic rock and roll standard 'Louie Louie.' Born in Extension, Louisiana, and later moving to Los Angeles, Berry became a fixture in the West Coast R&B scene of the 1950s. While 'Louie Louie' (written in 1955, recorded in 1957) initially saw modest success for Berry, it went on to become one of the most recorded and recognized songs in popular music history, covered by countless artists, most famously The Kingsmen. Berry also wrote other notable songs like 'Have Love, Will Travel.' Despite the immense popularity of 'Louie Louie,' Berry had sold the song's rights early in his career for a small sum. He lived in relative obscurity for many years before finally regaining a portion of the rights to his most famous composition in the mid-1980s, a legal victory that brought him some financial security and recognition before his passing.

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