'Louie Louie' singer Jack Ely dies aged 71

Jack Ely, lead singer of The Kingsmen, the band best known for their 1963 hit single 'Louie Louie', has died at the age of 71. 

Ely passed away at his home in Redmond, Oregon yesterday (April 28th) after a long battle with illness, his son Sean Ely has confirmed. 

The singer formed The Kingsmen with childhood friend Lynn Easton in 1959, but left the group before they achieved mainstream success after falling out with Easton.

He had, however, already recorded a cover of Richard Berry's 'Louie Louie', which would go on to be a worldwide hit. 

Ely later founded The Courtmen, who he toured and recorded with for a number of years, he would eventually retire from music altogether to raise horses on his Oregon farm.