DESCRIPTION:
1) Richard Berry original
2) Rockin Robin Roberts and The Fabulous Wailers
3) Little Bill and the BlueNotes

The classic "Louie Louie" was written and recorded by Richard Berry, a black American, in 1956. Not a hit, it attracted attention in his north-west US area. What started the phenomenon was The Wailers of "Tall Cool One" fame. They had no vocalist, and used guest singers. For this one it was Rockin Robin Roberts. Released in the Seattle area in 1961 it was a big regional hit. At the same time a competing record was released there by Little Bill and the BlueNotes. I don't know how that one charted.
It was in 1963 that the Kingsmen, also from that area, copied it. Not an immediate hit, it was a sleeper which ended up #2 nationally on Billboard and #1 in Cashbox.

By the way, what the craziness is about is a fellow talking to his friend Louie about sailing back to Jamaica to see his lady.