Richard Berry

Birth Name:

Richard Berry

Birth Date:

April 11, 1935

Birth Place:

Extension, Louisiana

Death Date:

January 24, 1997

Place of Death:

142 West 54th Street, South Central Los Angeles, California

Age:

Cause of Death:

Aneurysm complications

Cemetery Name:

Inglewood Memorial Park

Claim to Fame:

Music

Richard Berry's contribution to the world of music does not include a discussion of tonality or form; he did not conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra, he didn't invent a new form of music and he never had a #1 hit record. Rather Richard Berry wrote and recorded a simple but indelible three-chord, famously slurred song that encouraged even the most tone deaf among us to sing along. Richard Berry wrote what has become the cornerstone of rock 'n' roll. Richard Berry wrote "Louie, Louie".

Fun Facts

Most printed references assume (incorrectly) that the song “Louis, Louis” was written at this home of 40 years that he shared with his mother at 142 West 54th Street in South Central Los Angeles. It was not. One night while waiting backstage at Anaheim’s Harmony Park Ballroom, Berry took the rhythm of “El Loco Cha Cha” and began to add lyrics, writing them on toilet paper. Richard Berry and the Pharaohs recorded and released the song as the B-side to his cover of “You Are My Sunshine” on Flip Records in 1957.

By 1983 Richard Berry was living on welfare with no savings to speak of when radio station KFJC-FM in Los Altos Hills, California broadcasted a show called “Maximum Louis, Louis” and invited Berry on the show. Expecting 10-15 versions of the song, Berry was shocked when the station offered over 800 cover versions of the song over a 60-hour period – from the original version to reggae, punk, disco and even high school marching bands. The added bonus for Berry was the appearance of Jack Ely, the original vocalist for the original version whom he had not seen in nearly 30 years. Shortly after, with the assistance of a artists’ rights group, Berry secured 25% of the publish rights of the song and in the remaining years of his life, Richard Berry collected over $2.0 million in royalty payments.

Mike Mitchell, original member and guitarist with The Kingsman, remembers the recording session quite well. “We actually recorded three songs including “Louie, Louis”, loaded gear in and out, within an hour. The whole session cost us, I think, $36.”

The 900+ officially released cover versions of “Louie, Louie” include such artists as Otis Redding, The Beach Boys, The Kinks, Jan & Dean, The Troggs, The Beatles, The Byrds, Frank Zappa, Motorhead, Led Zeppelin, the MC5, Toots & The Maytals, Iggy Pop, The Clash, Blondie, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Grateful Dead, The Doors, Tom Petty, Ike & Tina Turner, Dave Matthews, Johnny Winter, Smashing Pumpkins and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Inglewood Memorial Park

720 E Florence Avenue

Inglewood, California, 90301

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Inglewood Memorial Park in Inglewood, California

Grave Location:

Sunset Mission Mausoleum, Sanctuary El Sereno, Crypt D-222

Grave Location Description

As you enter the main entrance to the cemetery, turn right at the first road and park in front of the Sunset Mission Mausoleum. Take the left entrance and turn left at the first hallway past the doorway. Walking about halfway down the corridor look for crypt D222 on the right, third row from the bottom and you will find the crypt of the legendary singer, songwriter and musician Richard Berry