Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry, episode 039: The insane true story of The Kingsmen and “Louie Louie”
This is a show about censorship. Wait, wait! Don’t run away. I know that can be a very touchy subject and once the arguments get started, all the grey areas fade away, everyone ends up in a big fight, and needless to say, the party breaks up.
Let’s try this from a different angle. There is an area of study I’m trying to promote called “stupid history.” Learning about the past doesn’t have to be about memorizing dates, who fought what wars, who was king or queen or emperor when.
Humans are dumb creatures, and that dumbness is always on display, and this can be really, really funny. If more of this stuff were taught in history classes, we’d have more historians and writers and people curious about the human condition.
Let me give you an idea of what I’m talking about. Instead of going through the details of the War of the Roses, include these facts in a history lesson. In Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was common knowledge that ground bits of mummies stolen from tombs in Egypt were good for you/ Mix in a little chocolate and you have a nice little snack. So yes, cannibalism in powdered form used to be a thing. And this is also true: It’s why there aren’t many ancient Egyptian mummies around anymore.
Here’s another. Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the U.S. When he died in June 1845, his beloved parrot was thrown out of his funeral because the thing kept swearing.
One more. Jack Daniels—yes, the bourbon guy—died of an infected toe. He stubbed it very badly when he kicked a safe to which he’d forgotten the combination.
See what I mean? Here on “Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry,” we talk about some seriously grisly and awful things. Let’s try something a little lighter for a change.
Yes, it is about censorship, but it’s also stupid history. This is episode 39, and boy, this one is dumb. It’s the insane true story of the Kingsmen and “Louie Louie.” You’re not gonna believe this.
Get Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry wherever you get your podcasts. Both Uncharted and The Ongoing History of New Music will be heard back-to-back overnights five days a week on these Corus news stations:
Showtimes (all times local)
- Toronto: AM 640 (4-5am)
- London: 980 CFPL (4-5am)
- Vancouver: 980 CKNW (1-2am)
- Edmonton: 630 CHED (1-2am)
- Calgary: QR77 (770 AM) (1-2am)
- Winnipeg: 680 CJOB (1-2am)
