Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
9-2026
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program
Biography and Memoir
Advisor
Eric Lott
Advisor
Jason Tougaw
Subject Categories
African American Studies | American Politics | American Popular Culture | Music Performance | Other Music | Policy History, Theory, and Methods
Keywords
Richard Berry, Louie Louie, American Popular Music, Music Industry, Copyrights, Labor Practices
Abstract
This thesis examines the anthemic ubiquity of the song "Louie Louie," and how its American qualities extend beyond just being a foundational text of rock 'n' roll. It was written and originally performed not by The Kingsmen, but by a young Black doo-wop singer named Richard Berry. And it wasn't until decades after its initial release that Berry would be reunited with his song's rights and some of its massive accumulated wealth. This paper seeks to answer the many questions that arise from this story, including why Berry's story of lost rights within the American music industry is hardly an outlier for Black performers, and how he persevered until his late-in-life legal victory.
Recommended Citation
Weber, Sarah, ""Don’t Work Cheap:" Richard Berry, "Louie Louie," and a Lifelong Fight for Rights in the Music Industry" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6899
Included in
African American Studies Commons, American Politics Commons, American Popular Culture Commons, Music Performance Commons, Other Music Commons, Policy History, Theory, and Methods Commons
