The Kingsmen In Person

Release and reception

The Kingsmen recorded "Louie Louie" at Northwestern Inc. recording studio on April 6, 1963. After being reissued by Wand, "Louie Louie" debuted in the Billboard Hot 100 at #83 on November 9 and quickly began ascending the charts. Trying to capitalize on the success of the song, the Kingsmen decided to release an entire album, and gigs at the Chase nightclub were booked on November 15 and 16 to record what was to become "The Kingsmen in Person". Jack Ely, the singer of "Louie Louie", appeared on no other track on the album because he quit before it was recorded. Wand quickly released the album to make a dent in the Christmas purchasing season.

The album first appeared on the Billboard Top LPs on January 18, 1964, eventually peaking at #20 and remaining on the chart for over two years (131 weeks total) until 1966.

Jack Rabid of Allmusic awarded the album 3.5 stars and said: "From "Mojo Workout" to "Night Train" to "Money" to the instrumental "You Can't Sit Down," the keyboards swirl above the stomp of the rhythm section and guitars, and it still makes people want to get drunk and go nuts. The band is primitive, sure, but boy does the spirit feel like a hot time."

The LP was released in both mono (WDM 657) and stereo (WDS 657) versions. International releases included Canada (Reo 667), Germany (Vogue LDV 17002, titled The Kingsmen), Mexico (Orfeon/Videovox DML-MI-95), and United Kingdom (Pye International NPL 28050, different cover). In 1993 Sundazed and Bear Family reissued the album on CD with bonus tracks "Haunted Castle", "The Krunch", and "(You Got) The Gamma Goochee".

Track listing

1. Louie, Louie – 2:44 (Richard Berry)
2. The Waiting – 3:08 (Don Gallucci, Lynn Easton)
3. Mojo Workout – 2:28 (Julian Bright)
4. Fever – 3:07 (Otis Blackwell, Eddie Cooley)
5. Money – 2:24 (Berry Gordy, Janie Bradford)
6. Bent Scepter – 2:59 (Don Gallucci)
7. Long Tall Texan – 2:44 (Henry Strzelecki)
8. You Can't Sit Down – 2:59 (Dee Clark, Cornell Muldrow)
9. Twist & Shout – 4:55 (Phil Medley, Bert Russell)
10. J.A.J. – 2:20 (Dave Lewis)
11. Night Train – 2:18 (Jimmy Forest, Oscar Washington, Lewis C. Simpkins)
12. Mashed Potatoes – 2:33 (Dessie Rozier)
13. Haunted Castle† – 2:47 (Lynn Easton)
14. The Krunch† – 2:18 (Lynn Easton)
15. (You Got) The Gamma Goochee† – 2:09 (John Mangiagli)

† CD bonus tracks

Musicians and production