Louie Louie Day

Louie Louie Day - Louie Louie Day is now officially registered with the National Special Events Registry and Chase's Calendar of Events, the two leading sources of special events, holidays and observances. April 11 provides an annual opportunity to celebrate the song that has been called best party song of all time, has been recorded more times than any other rock song in history, and was very nearly declared the official state song of Washington State. Why April 11? Primarily because it's the birthday of Richard Berry, the man who composed "Louie Louie." But, in addition, many other important milestones in the history of "Louie Louie" occurred on or around April 11. Here is a partial list of such events:

April 11, 1935 - Richard Berry was born in Extension, Louisiana.

April 1957 - The first recorded version of "Louie Louie," by Richard Berry and the Pharaohs, is released on Flip records (as a b-side to "You Are My Sunshine").

April 6, 1963 - At Northwestern Recorders, in Portland, Oregon, the Kingsmen record what is to become the most famous version of "Louie Louie." About a week later, Paul Revere and the Raiders record their own version of "Louie Louie" in the same studio.

April 12, 1985 - "Louie Louie Day" in Washington state as declared by the Washington State Senate. This was as far as the legislature was willing to go along with a somewhat tongue-in-cheek campaign to make "Louie Louie" the official state song of Washington. On that day, a rally and performance were held at the State Capitol in Olympia, which featured a number of performers including the Kingsmen, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Thurston County Commissioner George Barner.

April 14, 1985 - "Louie Louie Day" in Seattle as proclaimed by the mayor of Seattle (proclamation issued on April 10, 1985). On this day, a Louie Louie event was held at Seattle Center, which included a performance by Jr. Cadillac. These two events in mid-April 1985 marked the height of the effort to make "Louie Louie" the official state song of Washington.

April 2, 1986 – "Louie Louie Day" proclaimed by the state of Oregon.

April 10, 1998 - The Kingsmen won a historic legal case against Gusto Records and GML in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. At the heart of their case was the undisputed fact that Gusto Records/GML, which acquired the rights to the original Kingsmen masters from Wand/Scepter Records, including the most well-known recording of "Louie Louie," never paid a penny in royalties from record or CD sales, despite a 1968 contract that guaranteed a 9% royalty to the band members. Following the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case, the members of the Kingsmen were able to collect about $200,000 in royalties that had been held in trust since the group sued in 1993 on grounds that the companies had failed to honor a 1968 contract. By winning this case, the Kingsmen gained complete ownership of all 105 recordings originally recorded for Wand/Scepter Records.

April 11, 2003 - A group "Louie Louie" fans discussing Richard Berry's birthday on the Yahoo Louie Louie Party decide that April 11 should be designated Louie Louie Day as an annual recognition of this great song.

April 11, 2007 - A (only slightly) more organized effort to promote Louie Louie Day occurs, under the auspices of the newly-formed Louie Louie Advocacy and Music Appreciation Society (LLAMAS).

April 11, 2008 - The conclusion of the first ever "Louie Louie" video contest.

So on April 11, make sure to listen to your favorite version(s) of Louie Louie, call your local radio stations to request that they play it, and spread the word about the song and and its important place in rock history.
NOTE: The following is a compilation of 51 versions of "Louie Louie"! ENJOY!

Got Internet?, Crime and Punishment, -and- Take the Money and Run

Got Internet? - FBI arrests alleged cable modem hacker, faces 20 years in prison
Crime and Punishment - inmates get time off sentences for taking yoga
Take the Money and Run - benevolent hackers poke holes in e-banking

On this day in history: February 1, 1964 - Governor Matthew Welsh of Indiana declares "Louie, Louie" as recorded by The Kingsmen (originally by Richard Berry & The Pharaohs) "pornographic." And while the FCC couldn't figure out the lyrics, the governor's move backfires by making the song one of the most covered titles in existence.

Born on this day in history: February 1, 1902 - Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967) Born in Joplin, Missouri, poet and civil rights advocate Langston Hughes helped found the cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance. After his signature poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," was published in 1921, he became the voice of a generation of African-American writers and poets.

Scripture of the Day: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. — Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Video of the Day: Obama State of the iPad Address

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Technology News
Multitasking: Intel does, iPad doesn't
Microsoft tries to reinvent the bar code
Robots evolve to learn cooperation, hunting
Mozilla releases first Firefox mobile browser

Flesh upon the Grill
The weather yesterday was wonderfully suited to charring flesh upon the grill! It was sunny and warm, with no wind. I was eager to uncover the Weber and toss some flesh upon it, since foul weather has demanded it remain covered for several weeks. I was most eager to delight in the sight, sound, and smell of flesh charring on the grill!

Laura placed a spicy dry rub on a large London Broil yesterday morning. At 5 PM, I uncovered the Weber, engaged two of its eight massive burners, and tossed the large hunk of beef flesh upon it! While the flesh roasted, I moistened it with a mixture of 3 parts balsamic vinegar and 1 part extra-virgin olive oil. We delighted in the taste of this flesh—along with steamed mixed vegetables and garlic/Jalapeño mashed potatoes. A great quantity of the flesh remains for a later meal.

Following our evening meal, I ventured outside to cover the Weber—a cautionary measure intended to address the rain that was forecast to fall later that evening. As I picked up the grill cover and began to position it over the grill, I sensed motion nearby and turned to see the form of a large dog, silhouetted in the near darkness. It rose from a crouch in the nearby hedge and began walking toward me. His ears were fully back, his eyes gazed fixedly upon me, a menacing growl emanated from him, and viscous effluvia dripped from his drawn-back lips and fangs!

I was wearing sandals, otherwise I would have used my feet to show the beast that he was unwelcome. I maintained a fixed gaze upon him, lowered the grill cover loosely onto the grill, and picked up the only weapon nearby—a stainless-steel grill brush with a long wooden handle. I approached the beast and displayed the grill brush. I made it apparent to him that any interaction with me would not end well. The beast suddenly cowered and scurried off into the twilight. I returned to the house to enjoy "Las Vegas Jailhouse."

Fighting Back, Fighting Back 2, -and- Can't Beat the Rap

Fighting Back - man throws robber through glass door
Fighting Back 2 - woman shoots home invader
Can't Beat the Rap - music mogul sentenced to life plus 55 years

On this day in history: April 17, 1965 - The FBI Laboratory in Washington reports their inability to make out the vocals on the hit single "Louie Louie." Thus, the Bureau is unable to determine whether the record constitutes obscene matter.

Born on this day in history: April 17, 1972 - Jennifer Garner (1972-) Born in Houston, TX, raised in Charleston, WV, actress Jennifer Garner began with bit parts on TV shows like "Spin City" and "Law and Order." In 2000, her work on TV show "Felicity" led to the lead role on spy drama "Alias," which made her a star. Garner married for the second time to actor Ben Affleck in 2005. Their daughter, Violet, was born the following November.

Scripture of the Day: For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. - 1 Corinthians 15:25-26

Video of the Day: "T.J. Hooker" - Vengeance Is Mine - submitted by Cap'n Jack

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while fast-walking to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

No More Wind! That is a chant—an exhortation. It is—above all else—my hope! The weather forecasts on my iPhone show the following:

Today: 52°/82°

Saturday: 54°/87°

Sunday: 58°/94°

Monday: 60°/96°

Tuesday: 57°/91°

Wednesday: 49°/81°

Those forecasts look very good—if only the wind will stay far away!

Somebody's Watching You, Weapons of Choice, -and- Crime and Punishment

Somebody's Watching You - online storage of medical records not covered by privacy law
Weapons of Choice - bill forces states to accept concealed-weapon permits from other states
Crime and Punishment - top court may allow states to execute child rapists

On this day in history: April 17, 1965 - The FBI Laboratory in Washington reports their inability to make out the vocals on the hit single "Louie Louie." Thus, the Bureau is unable to determine whether the record constitutes obscene matter.

Born on this day in history: April 17, Jennifer Garner (1972-) Born in Houston, TX, raised in Charleston, WV, actress Jennifer Garner began with bit parts on TV shows like "Spin City" and "Law and Order." In 2000, her work on TV show "Felicity" led to the lead role on spy drama "Alias," which made her a star. Garner married for the second time to actor Ben Affleck in 2005. Their daughter, Violet, was born the following November.

Scripture of the Day: Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. - James 4:17

Video of the Day: Teen Sets Record inflating balloons with his nose - submitted by Philip

Apparently, birds of a feather do not necessarily flock together! Click to enlarge.

The wind continues! The wind that has been plaguing us for over a week now continues today. It is forecast to be in the 80s today, so at least the wind should not be cold. Yesterday, it was cold!

Last night—while preparing to leave for Bible class at Harvest Christian Center, we watched Dick Cheney's speech at the Annual Radio and TV Correspondents Dinner. He explained "global warming," saying he observed that it was, in fact, getting warmer. He said he had no doubt that we are "...in the midst of a global warming—or, as I prefer to call it, spring!"