Stories ~ Brother Louie 1973 Soul Purrfection Version
Michael Brown was a founding member of 60’s band Left Banke which pioneered the “baroque pop” sound of their hit single “Walk Away Renee” a #5 hit in 1966. After a few more singles, Brown left the band and met singer Ian Lloyd. Assembling a Beatlesque band, he hired drummer Bryan Madey and guitarist Steve Love to complete them and signed with Kama Sutra records in 1972. Their first hit was “I’m Coming Home” a #42 hit that same year. Brown then left the band who went on to add bassist Kenny Aaronson and keyboardist Ken Bichel. They began to record their second LP adding a cover of little known tune called “Brother Louie” that had been written by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson and performed by UK band Hot Chocolate. The song was about a white man bringing his black girlfriend home to meet his parents who turn out to be racists. The message was timely and the association of the repeated “Louie Louie Louieee” chorus paid tribute to the rock chestnut “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen brought them instant recognition and a #1 pop hit for two weeks. Stories went on to record two more singles that failed to rival “Brother Louie” and the band broke up over the squabbles over the direction they should take. Ian went solo, his only hit being the Ric Ocasek written “Slip Away” that spent nine weeks on the chart, peaking at #50 in 1979. A couple of interesting footnotes to this story is that at a 1976 Lloyd recording session, Mick Jones and Ian MacDonald met and went on to find Lou Gramm to rock the pop charts as Foreigner. The second is when Gladys Knight heard “Brother Louie” she had Neil Bogart approach Stories producer Richie Wise and Kenny Kerner to produce “I’ve Got To Use My Imagination”. She loved the sound they came up with and it resulted in a #4 pop and #1 R&B hit for her and her Pips.
I saw "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World" recently on television which has Edie Adams as one of its stars and could not help but thinking how much she naturally looked liked Marilyn Monroe and so I wondered if she had ever impersonated her and much to my delight I found out that she had – and what a wonderful impersonation she did. One beautiful woman imitating another. Between the two though I think I would take Edie over Marilyn. The reason: she had a more stable personality!
This is an amazing break down of the song, producer, all of it. Thanks. I was a 70's teenager who grew up with all of it. Yes, from Left Banke to this.
Always associated this song with WLS in Chicago and knowing we were almost at the end of the long drive to my grandparents' house. The radio stations in southern Illinois wouldn't play the song. I was too young to know why or what a Sundown town was, even though we lived in one.
The 70's most overlooked decade. Music peaked during the decade. Ever notice when someone want to put down a decade it's the 70's. Jealous? Probably. Proud to say I was a part of that generation! Anyone else? Hot Chocolate recorded this first. I've heard their version it has talk in background.
Myself and my friend and former bandmate decided to try out some original songs at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village in the spring of 1972 as an acoustic type duo,Stories took the stage right before our performance, an extra shot of brandy was required at the time.
The spring of 1972 my friend and former bandmate and myself decided to play some original songs as an acoustic duo at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, Stories took the stage right before we went on, I required an additional shot of brandy at the time.
I was obsessed with the lyrics AND funkiness of this song even at age 10 when it came out…I am a musician and was at age 10…the wah-wah is still beyond awesome!!!
This came out when I was in kindergarten, riding around with my Dad in his 69 Chevelle SS396 watching him snatch gears rolling on the South Side of Chicago. Great Memories!!!
Hey this definitely was & IS a Marque song. Home from 'Nam & this is kicking on fave bars & all. Every play I was just mesmerized with chills & thoughts of a Hot Chocolate Babydoll, AfricanAmerican of course! Little did I know I would be hooked up with exactly that for the last 12years! A real blast for the first eight years! Lookin for another hot & heavy now. Go bro'Louie!!
I married a black woman in 1982! She had the most beautiful smile and eyes and her skin was golden brown! It lasted 15 years! We had 2 beautiful girls together and still get along great even though I would take her back in a heartbeat I don’t think that is gonna happen! Still love you Kelly!
You never realize that all of those bad azz tunes you heard for the very first time upon release were going to be some of the most beautiful music of the ages.
This Song is still kicking in 2022 all I can remember, I was young and life was good in 1973. I think back to some 49 years ago and start dancing my ass off!
I remember when the radio version was tremendously popular. This extend version is truly perfection.
GOOD BAND OF NEW YORK, I REMENBERT YEARS OF KID. IN HONDURAS.
temazo¡¡¡
The instrumentals in this song are awesome!
What a fricking good song. I was one years old.
She was black as the night
Louie was whiter than white
Danger, danger when you taste brown suga'
Louie fell in love overnight
Nothing bad, it was good
Louie had the best girl he could
When he took 'er home
To meet her mama and papa
Louie knew just where he stood
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Lou I
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie you're gonna cry
There he stood in the night
Knowing what's wrong from what's right
He took her home to meet his mama and papa
Man, he had a terrible fight
Louie nearly caused a scene
Wishin' it was a dream
Ain't no diff'rence between black and white
Brothers, you know what I mean
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Lou I
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie you're gonna cry
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Lou I
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie you're gonna cry
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Louie Louie Lou I
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie you're gonna cry
Louie Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Lou I
Louie Louie Louie Louie…nowar
Very popular .70 75
If do you can Belice in México City I was remember this song i'Ts
My man!!!
I saw "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World" recently on television which has Edie Adams as one of its stars and could not help but thinking how much she naturally looked liked Marilyn Monroe and so I wondered if she had ever impersonated her and much to my delight I found out that she had – and what a wonderful impersonation she did. One beautiful woman imitating another. Between the two though I think I would take Edie over Marilyn. The reason: she had a more stable personality!
A great salute to mixed race couples. Everyone is the same in God's eyes.
Thank you. Eu estava mesmo procurando quem cantava esta linda musica. Achei. Gratidão.
This is an amazing break down of the song, producer, all of it. Thanks. I was a 70's teenager who grew up with all of it. Yes, from Left Banke to this.
❤❤
Always associated this song with WLS in Chicago and knowing we were almost at the end of the long drive to my grandparents' house. The radio stations in southern Illinois wouldn't play the song. I was too young to know why or what a Sundown town was, even though we lived in one.
I'm 100% white LUV black woman
Great song and social commentary. Some aspects of the 70’s were more enlightened than attitudes of 2023.
When the application or form asks the question,, Race?.. my answer is "Human"
Just a treasure
Koolio.
The 70's most overlooked decade.
Music peaked during the decade. Ever notice when someone want to put down a decade it's the 70's. Jealous? Probably. Proud to say I was a part of that generation! Anyone else?
Hot Chocolate recorded this first. I've heard their version it has talk in background.
Myself and my friend and former bandmate decided to try out some original songs at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village in the spring of 1972 as an acoustic type duo,Stories took the stage right before our performance, an extra shot of brandy was required at the time.
The spring of 1972 my friend and former bandmate and myself decided to play some original songs as an acoustic duo at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, Stories took the stage right before we went on,
I required an additional shot of brandy at the time.
I was obsessed with the lyrics AND funkiness of this song even at age 10 when it came out…I am a musician and was at age 10…the wah-wah is still beyond awesome!!!
This came out when I was in kindergarten, riding around with my Dad in his 69 Chevelle SS396 watching him snatch gears rolling on the South Side of Chicago. Great Memories!!!
True story there is a danger when you taste brown sugar ask Louie
Love it…groovy
Hey this definitely was & IS a Marque song. Home from 'Nam & this is kicking on fave bars & all. Every play I was just mesmerized with chills & thoughts of a Hot Chocolate Babydoll, AfricanAmerican of course! Little did I know I would be hooked up with exactly that for the last 12years! A real blast for the first eight years! Lookin for another hot & heavy now. Go bro'Louie!!
I love this song big time . I was 13nd years old when this song come out. Mess old school day's.
Brother Louie came out when I was a fresh teen, great song I've loved it ever since!
I married a black woman in 1982! She had the most beautiful smile and eyes and her skin was golden brown! It lasted 15 years! We had 2 beautiful girls together and still get along great even though I would take her back in a heartbeat I don’t think that is gonna happen! Still love you Kelly!
You never realize that all of those bad azz tunes you heard for the very first time upon release were going to be some of the most beautiful music of the ages.
Long live the 60s, 70s and 80s!!
I was so blessed and didnt realize it…
This Song is still kicking in 2022 all I can remember, I was young and life was good in 1973. I think back to some 49 years ago and start dancing my ass off!