Singing Guide: The Kingsmen
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
The Kingsmen had a unique sound with their garage rock style fused with a little bit of R&B, which differentiated them from other bands of the same era. Still, their style was relatively simple, and their raw energy and enthusiasm made them stand out. To start learning how to sing like The Kingsmen, you need to familiarize yourself with their most popular song, "Louie Louie," which became a hit in 1963.
While "Louie Louie" is known for the unintelligible lyrics, lead singer Jack Ely's unique vocal style is unforgettable. Ely's vocals in "Louie Louie" showcase his great ability to alternate between a smooth and rough sound. One essential technique to learn his style is to master controlling your resonant voice and creating a throaty, distorted sound, similar to Jack Ely's technique. Practicing onsets and registers, as well as exercises such as vocal fry, distortion, and growling, will help you achieve this.
Conquering breathe control is also crucial when learning to sing like The Kingsmen. We recommend breathing exercises and breath support training, such as the "Farinelli Breathing" tutorial we offer. Additionally, you can perfect how to open your mouth and throat correctly while singing, which is essential in creating a rich, resonant sound.
To continue your journey, our vocal range test can help you to determine if you have a similar vocal range to Ely's. To enjoy singing other Kingsmen songs, like "Jolly Green Giant" or "Money," we suggest exploring our song search feature to look for songs that will fit your vocal range, difficulty level, and genre preference.
Achieving a unique and authentic singing style does not happen overnight. However, it is essential to have fun along the way. Continue practicing and enjoying the journey with Singing Carrots, where we offer various resources to help further develop your voice.