re: #239 albusteve

In 1985, Ross Shafer, host and a writer-performer of the late-night comedy series Almost Live! on the Seattle TV station KING, spearheaded an effort to have “Louie Louie” replace “Washington, My Home” by Helen Davis as Washington’s official state song.[18] Picking up on this initially prankish effort, Whatcom County Councilman Craig Cole introduced Resolution No. 85-12 in the state legislature, citing the need for a “contemporary theme song that can be used to engender a sense of pride and community, and in the enhancement of tourism and economic development”. His resolution also called for the creation of a new “Louie Louie County”. While the House did not pass it, the Senate’s Resolution 1985-37 declared April 12, 1985, “Louie Louie Day”. A crowd of 4,000, estimated by press reports, convened on the state capitol that day for speeches, singalongs, and performances by the Wailers, the Kingsmen, and Paul Revere and the Raiders. Two days later, a Seattle event commemorated the occasion with the premiere performance of a new, Washington-centric version of the song written by composer Berry.

I remember Louie Louie day!