According to a publicist for the group, Mike Mitchell, lead guitarist for the Kingsmen for more than 6 years, died on his 77th birthday celebration.
Mitchell was the last charter member still having fun with the Portland, Oregon, band best understood for its confounding rock cover of the R&B tune “Louie Louie.”
“We are deeply saddened by Mike’s death. He was the kindest as well as the most generous guy in the world,” drummer Dick Peterson claimed in a declaration.
“Mike is irreplaceable, and he will certainly be greatly missed not just by us however the followers also. Mike was a favourite for his comical nature as well as his musicianship,” Peterson added.
The Kingsmen obtained their famous condition after their solitary of “Louie Louie,” which was carried out in one take with poor recording devices in 1963 and was widely misunderstood as having indecent lyrics.
Music critic Dave Marsh referred to diva Jack Ely’s vocals as appearing like “Donald Duck on helium.” Then-Indiana Gov. Matthew Welsh prohibited sales of the recording in his state, declaring it was adult. The FBI conducted an investigation– yet the questions finished after their sound research laboratory was incapable of determining what was actually being sung plainly.
“Louie Louie” has been covered by everyone from the Coastline Boys to the Grateful Dead to REM.
Mitchell performed the renowned jangly guitar solo in the middle of the song and continued to do with different lineups of the band for more than 60 years.
“He’s playing just got better as he aged,” the Oregon Music Hall of Fame stated in a Facebook message Saturday.
