Richard Berry
b. 11 April 1935, Extension, Louisiana, USA. Berry was brought to Los Angeles as an infant, where he learned piano, playing along with the records of Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers. In high school he formed a vocal group and began recording in 1953 under various group names (the Hollywood Blue Jays/the Flairs/the Crowns/the Dreamers/the Pharaohs) as well as making solo sessions for Modern's Flair subsidiary. His most famous moments on wax are his earthy contributions to the Robins’ Riot In Cell Block No.9 and as Henry, Etta James's boyfriend, on her early classic Roll With Me Henry (The Wallflower). Although his main claim to fame is as the composing credit for rock ‘n’ roll's famous standard Louie Louie which he recorded in 1956 on Flip, but had to wait seven years for its acceptance with the Kingsmen's hit. The song spawned over 300 cover versions. During the '60s and '70s, Berry, inspired by Bobby Blue Bland and his wife Dorothy (herself a recording artist), became a soul singer. He recorded for myriad west coast labels (including his debut album for Johnny Otis's Blues Spectrum label) and continues performing into the '90s.