"We just lost Paul Revere," Terry Currier told the Aladdin Theater crowd.
As Currier explained, two bands recorded "Louie Louie" in Portland in 1963. One -- the Kingsmen -- had a hit. Paul Revere and the Raiders would have a career. Born Jan. 7, 1938, Revere began the band that would become the Raiders (with Oregon native Mark Lindsay as the singer) 20 years later and never looked back.
By the mid-'60s, the band had begun hitting the charts with songs such as "Kicks" and "Just Like Me," and were TV regulars -- they even appeared on a 1966 "Batman" episode. Their future fans would range from the Sex Pistols to the Flamin' Groovies, who were among the many to cover Raiders singles.
Even this year, at the age of 76, Revere was still performing. The busy band was even booked to headline an oldies cruise in 2015, with an exuberant Revere the center of the poster. This summer, however, the musician admitted to health woes setting in.
"Even though I've had some health issues, nothing can stop the old man. I'm like the Energizer Bunny!" he wrote on Facebook in July. "I jump on my tour bus and go from city to city, packing a trunk full of great Raider songs, tight pants and bad jokes - all against doctor's orders, by the way!"
But the message came with the announcement that he was giving in to the doctors at last, taking a break from the band's tour dates as they went on without him. The group would announce his death on their website on Saturday.
"So come out and see my boys, and tell them how much you miss me. We have the absolute best fans. I love you all and will see you soon," Revere wrote in July. "The show must always go on!"
-- David Greenwald
