Portland, Oregon recently became the epicenter of a unique musical phenomenon: a 24-hour marathon dedicated to the iconic “Louie Louie Song.” As a devoted chronicler of this legendary tune at payoffsong.com, I knew I couldn’t miss this event, even with a tight schedule and a last-minute 700-mile solo drive. Hesitations aside, immersing myself in this Portland celebration of “Louie Louie” proved to be an absolutely thriving experience.
Event attendees at the 24-hour Louie Louie marathon in Portland, Oregon
Portland’s connection to “Louie Louie” is deeply rooted in music history. Remarkably, two prominent bands from the region, The Kingsmen and Paul Revere & the Raiders, both recorded their versions of the song in Portland, just days apart, at the very same recording studio. Adding to this coincidence, both bands shared a manager who was a DJ at KISN, a leading Portland radio station. These recordings propelled both bands into the national spotlight. For Paul Revere & the Raiders, “Louie Louie” marked their debut with Columbia Records in 1963, solidifying their place as the record company’s first rock band. The Kingsmen’s rendition achieved even greater heights, reaching #1 on the Cash Box charts and #2 on Billboard, famously being kept from the top spot by The Singing Nun’s “Dominique.”
Attendees dressed in costume enjoying the Louie Louie marathon in Portland
Over the years, Portland has honored its “Louie Louie” legacy with various tributes. These include two plaque ceremonies, held two decades apart, at the original recording studio site to commemorate The Kingsmen and The Raiders’ historic recordings. The city also boasts a distinctive abstract sculpture with a “Louie Louie” theme at a federal building and a recent mural celebrating The Kingsmen as Portland’s musical heroes.
The Unipiper performing at the Louie Louie 24-hour marathon in Portland
Yet, despite this rich history, Portland lacked one crucial element until now: a full-blown, extended marathon event dedicated to the diverse interpretations of “Louie Louie.” This 24-hour marathon filled that void spectacularly.
Johnny of Johnny & the Janes performing at the Louie Louie marathon
Seaweed Sisters band performing Louie Louie at the marathon
Anticipation for the event was high. Conversations with the organizers hinted at a well-structured and exciting program. However, nothing could have fully prepared me for the vibrant reality that unfolded.
Stepping into the gallery space hours before the public opening, I was immediately struck by the stage design. The organizers had meticulously recreated the original Kingsmen logo from 1963 – the emblem of the five musicians who first recorded “Louie Louie,” even though that original lineup never toured nationally. The replication was stunning, a beautiful homage to the song’s origins.
The Kingsmen stage setup at the 24-hour Louie Louie marathon in Portland
The original Kingsmen campaign advertisement
Adding to the authenticity and excitement, Bob Nordby, the original bassist for The Kingsmen, graced the event with his presence, accompanied by his family. His participation underscored the historical significance of the marathon and provided a direct link to the song’s legendary past.
Kingsmen members Lynn Easton and Bob Nordby at the Louie Louie event
Bob Nordby with his family at the 24-hour Louie Louie marathon in Portland
To say the 24-hour “Louie Louie” marathon exceeded expectations would be a significant understatement. Having attended numerous “Louie Louie” related events, including parades in San Francisco, LOUIEFests in Tacoma, a special show in Venice, CA, and even the legendary 63-hour KFJC radio marathon that ignited my own journey to document the song’s history, I can confidently say this Portland event was exceptionally impressive.
Musicians playing ukuleles at the Louie Louie marathon
The heart of the marathon was, undoubtedly, the music. With two stages operating continuously, the event showcased an astounding array of “Louie Louie” interpretations. Bands seamlessly transitioned from one performance to the next, creating a non-stop flow of live music. It was remarkable to witness such precise coordination and dedication to the song.
Peasant Revolution band performing at the Louie Louie marathon
Credit for this remarkable event goes to the dedicated Louie Louie Committee Committee: Luke Strahota, Julie Madsen, Matt Stanger, Michael Joyce, Eric Kilkenny, Justin Thorpe, and Jen Lane. Their vision and hard work brought this unique celebration to life. Gratitude is also due to the AFRU Gallery staff, including president Jonas Nash, director Lindsay Hogland, and their volunteers, as well as the generous sponsors: Gigantic Brewing Company, Passadore Properties, Cavity Search Records, Trench Digger Productions, Jackpot Records, Creatures Closet, and KISN Radio.
Members of the Louie Louie Committee Committee who organized the marathon event
Matt Stanger of the Louie Louie Committee Committee deserves special recognition for the incredible stage design, including the Kingsmen crown logo and the “LL mascot.” Megan Stanger assisted with the installation, adding to the visual impact of the event.
The entire experience was truly incredible, leaving a lasting impression.
A piano team performing Louie Louie at the 24-hour marathon
The Louie Louie Committee Committee is now compiling video footage from the marathon and encourages attendees to submit their recordings via Google Form (https://forms.gle/p1BVAGo7X2vTjrGE7) or WeTransfer (using [email protected]).
I’m also sharing my raw video footage of the performances through a multi-hour YouTube playlist: Louie Louie 24-Hour Marathon Playlist.
Most of the images in this article are screenshots from my videos. I’ve licensed these videos and images under a Creative Commons license, encouraging non-commercial sharing and remixing with attribution to “Eric Predoehl / LouieLouie.net.” Commercial news outlets are welcome to use the footage with proper credit and compensation.
Please share any video footage you captured at the event by emailing “LOUIE @ LouieLouie .net” and sending files via WeTransfer or DropBox.
Don Qs band performing at the Louie Louie marathon
Moose and the Bulletproof Blues Band performing Louie Louie
More updates on this incredible event are coming soon.
– E.P. of LouieLouie.net
Jeez Louies band performing at the 24-hour Louie Louie marathon
Banjax band performing Louie Louie at the marathon
Truth or Consequences band performing Louie Louie
The Verbtones band performing at the Louie Louie marathon
YouTube button for the 24-hour Louie Louie marathon playlist
Watch the performances: Louie Louie 24-Hour Marathon Playlist
