RIP, Kent Morrill (April 15, 2011) The Fabulous Wailers

Kent Morrill
April 2, 1941 – April 15, 2011

Kent Morrill was the lead singer and keyboardist for Seattle, Washington-area ’60s rock band, the Fabulous Wailers.  Having been with the group since inception, Morrill was the only original member still playing with the group in recent years.  Formed at the tail end of the ’50s, many consider the Fabulous Wailers THE first garage rock band due to their down-and-dirty mix of saxophone driven R&B and rave-up rock ‘n roll.  The band released several albums and 45s throughout the years, but it was their late 50s/early 60s output that is generally included in any respectable first generation garage rock collection.  Records like “Tall Cool One,” “Dirty Robber,” and “Out Of Our Tree” received significant airplay during their peak years, but it was their recording (with Rockin’ Robin Roberts) of Richard Berry’s “Louie Louie”  that inspired Paul Revere & the Raiders to do the same, and lead to fellow Northwest band, the Kingsmen to ultimately record its definitive version.  In more recent years, Morrill was also performing as a Roy Orbison impersonator in Las Vegas and other parts of the world.  Kent Morrill was 70 when he passed away on April 15, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

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Died On This Date (January 23, 1997) Richard Berry / Gave Us “Louie Louie”

Richard Berry
April 11, 1935 – January 23, 1997

Richard Berry could rightfully be called a “one-hit wonder,” but oh, what a hit it was!  After a few years working with a few different doo-wop acts, Berry sat down in 1955, and wrote “Louie Louie,”  a song that would later be recorded by the Kingsmen and become synonymous with drunken frat parties.   It was also a foundation upon which garage rock was built.  The song has been recorded over 1000 times, but unfortunately, Berry sold away his rights to it in 1959.  He was, however, able to collect a significant amount in royalties during the mid ’80s and again in the early ’90s.  Berry’s health began to decline in later years, and on January 23, 1997, he died of heart failure at the age of 61.

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