The Ricker used to write poetry.

And he's always been into music. Still, I have to take one of the Ricker's "claims to fame" with a HUGE grain of salt. Maybe a salt planet, even.

The Ricker claims he wrote the second verse to the song "Louie, Louie." You know, "Louie, Louie/oh yeah/Louie, Louie/me gotta go"

According to his story, he went to college with a few of the guys from the Kingsmen, who recorded the famous version of "Louie, Louie" in 1963 (never mind that the song traces its roots back to 1957). The Ricker's fraternity house window was directly across from the window of one of the band's members, probably founder Mike Mitchell or singer Jack Ely, and they would shout through the window at each other. During one of the band's practice sessions, the Ricker suggested alternate words for a verse, since the band only played one verse over and over again (maybe this is the rumored 90-minute "Louie, Louie" jam session mentioned on Snopes). The band like the alternate verse, started using it during its live shows and then recorded the version that survives to this day.

Let's see what we can verify about this.

The year in question was 1963, so the Ricker was in college. Check.

The Ricker is from Portland. Check

The Kingsmen are from Portland. Check.

The Ricker is delusional. Check.

But he still claims he is owed millions in royalties. Or that he sold the rights for a few bucks. I've heard both versions. For an interesting read, head over to Snopes.com and read about the lyrics to "Louie, Louie." Note: there's no mention of the Ricker.