The Kingsmen’s recording of “Louis Louie” was released in May 1963, initially
issued on the Jerden label, before being picked up by Wand Records and
released by them in October 1963. It entered the top ten on the Billboard Hot
100 chart for December 7, and peaked at number two the following week, a
spot which it held for six weeks. it remained in the top 10 through December
and January before dropping off in early February. In total, The Kingsmen’s
version of the Richard Berry song, which was recorded in Portland, Oregon,
spent 16 weeks on the Hot 100.