How The Sonics Made Richard Berry's Song a Timeless Hit: The Story of "Have Love, Will Travel"

The Life of a Song (For All the Road Running)

In the annals of rock 'n' roll history, some songs are destined for greatness but only achieve it in the hands of the right artists. "Have Love, Will Travel," originally penned and recorded by Richard Berry in the 1950s, is a prime example of such a song. While Berry's version was charming and rooted in the wholesome vibes of its time, it wasn't until The Sonics got their hands on it that it transformed into a garage rock classic that would echo through the decades.

Richard Berry was no stranger to the music scene. He had already made significant contributions to the world of primitive rock 'n' roll with songs like "Louie Louie." However, it wasn't until The Kingsmen recorded their version of "Louie Louie" that the song catapulted to fame, even prompting an FBI investigation for possible obscenity. Berry's own rendition of the song had fallen short of capturing the public's imagination.

Enter The Sonics, a quintet from Tacoma, Washington, with a reputation for being the loudest and most feral-sounding band in the Pacific Northwest during the mid-1960s. Unlike Berry's wholesome beginnings, The Sonics exuded an untamed, rebellious spirit that mirrored the changing times.