‘Louie Louie’ Singer Jack Ely Dead At 71

Jack Ely, the lead singer of the group the Kingsmen, has passed away at the age of 71.

The band was best known for its 1963 hit Louie Louie. Although unassuming by present day standards, the song courted controversy upon release due to its near-indecipherable lyrics. The FBI eventually launched an investigation to confirm whether Louie Louie contained any obscenities. (It did not.)

Jack departed the group later in 1963. He eventually returned to Oregon to train horses.