A Little About Louis
Louis has been in Memphis Music since age 9 when his mother gave him a Les Paul Melody Maker by Gibson for his birthday. He began hanging out at a studio with Chips Moman, Tommy Cogbill and Sid Manker, running errands for them. He would ask them questions about playing. Combined with his natural talent, they gave him the foundation that helped him become the outstanding musician he is today.
When Louis was about 3, he made friends with a teenager that lived on the other side of the building in Lauderdale Courts. He sat in the afternoons on the porch, singing and playing his guitar. His name was Elvis. When Santa brought Louis a toy guitar for Christmas, he took it to Elvis to get it in tune for him.
Louis' mom tells him that she and his dad, who was a Baptist minister, sang on Bob McNeel's Gospel Radio show in West Memphis. Elvis would go with them to sing. All shows were live, so Elvis would watch Louis when his mom & dad were on. Now how many people can say they had Elvis for a baby sitter?
Louis remained Elvis friend even after he became famous. Being about 11 years younger than Elvis, he called Louis "High School". Louis hung out at Graceland for many years and was one of the few people who was allowed in side when Elvis was out of town.
Elvis helped the Guilloteens get their first gig in Hollywood. Go to the Guilloteens site to find out more. They were his favorite group in 1965.
Louis said they were more successful in Hollywood than they had been in Memphis. They packed the clubs they played, with lines reaching around the block. They appeared on TV programs, Shindig, Shebang, Lloy Thaxton and Where the Action Is to name a few. They were booked by Dick Clark for a party.
Phil Spector worked with them for several months without signing them to a contract. When he got tied up for several weeks recording an album for The Rightous Bros, the Guilloteens manager signed them with a cartoon company, Hanna-Barbera. They went from recording in a state of the art studio with Spector to a 2 track live cut. Louis said the studio had egg cartons on the wall for sound proofing. He made the best of it and even did a few voices for cartoons. Snaggle Puss was his favorite.
After trying to talk Laddie and Joe into changing managers without success, Louis left the group late in 1965. He said he had worked for over a year without being paid any money. How long would you work without pay.
In late 1972, Al Bell heard a demo called "I Like Rock & Roll" and signed him to a record contract with Stax Recording Studio. Louis is a musician, not a business man. He trusted another manager to make a good deal for him. Recording all the instruments and vocals himself, it took 1 year and 6 weeks to complete the 12 songs on the album released late in 1973. He won Best New Artist at the Memphis music awards for his single cut from the album, Merry-Go-Round. But Stax folded by the end of 1974 and the IRS took everything Louis owned. His records were pulled off the air and later all the master were sold at auction to pay off Stax's debts.
Louis signed with Shelter Records. They were put out of business by Columbia Records when they signed an artist and released a record by her. She forgot to tell them she was already under contract with Columbia. After that he said he decided to leave the recording business for a while.
He's recording again. He is better than ever. Making music that has a melody line and lots of chord changes. Check out some old and some new music from our site map page.
Email us from the contact us page for info on how to order Louis new CD.
This is what Al Bell had to say about Louis album
Reflections of the Way It Really Is
Louis says he does't know why the title of his album was not printed on the front cover. As you can see only his name appears.