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On This Day in 1989: Over 400 Guitarists Played ‘Louie Louie’ Together at a South Carolina Festival, and I Just Know Washington Is Still Jealous

Most PNWers know “Louie Louie” is the unofficial Washington State song, but they might not know its record-breaking ties to South Carolina.

By Stephen Andrew Galiher

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As a transplant to the Pacific Northwest, I know that “Louie, Louie” is the unofficial song of Washington state. As an Oregon Ducks fan, I know it must still burn them up that the Guinness World Records-setting performance of that song, featuring over 400 guitarists, took place in none other than South Carolina.

Back on July 14, 1989, 432 guitarists gathered for South Carolina’s Peach Festival “guitar gala.” Per Go Upstate, the group gathered “under the giant Peachoid water tower” to play Richard Berry’s “Louie, Louie” for a full 30........

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