The Detroit Free Press tells us that Benton Harbor lifts “Louie Louie’ ban for middle school band.
“Louie Louie,” written by Richard Berry in 1956, is one of the most recorded songs in history. The best-known, low-fidelity version was a hit in 1963 for the Kingsmen. For decades, stories have circulated that the song contained obscenities.
In a letter sent home with McCord students, Dawning had said that “Louie Louie” was not appropriate for Benton Harbor students to play while representing the district — even though the marching band was not going to sing it.
But she reversed herself Thursday after consulting with parents.
It seems it was too late for the kids to learn a new song for today’s parade.
Key quote: “The FBI spent two years investigating the lyrics on the Kingsmen’s recording before declaring they not only were not obscene but also were ‘unintelligible at any speed.'”