Name: Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries
Address: New Orleans, LA

Louis and I met on a Greyhound bus to Camp Stanislaus. I had an 80's cassette jam box, it was mid 80's at the time. I had Led Zeppelin's "Whole lotta Love" playing on the jamb. I was 12 years old and Louis was 13. We both lip synced to the song as it was playing and we became friends and the rest is history. I spent 2 years with him at the school and I never forgot him. It was music that brought us together.

R.I.P. King Louie





It is Palm Sunday and I wanted to share the story of this wild native iris that I transplanted in Louie's name directly after hearing about his passing. I transplanted over a hundred for him. As I did for my great aunt Lulu and other dearly departed in winter. However out of about 600 irises planted,it was Louie's...planted last...which was the very first to bloom. He always stole the show!And irresistible as all true Louisiana natives are! God bless you Miss Elaine on this day. Bless you for all your loving kindness and unfailing joy. I hope that you are finding peace. 

Louie was a big part of my life for as long as I can remember- whether it was seeing him play in bands  or having him show up with presents in hand on our porch.
It is hard to look around and not see something that reminds me of him. Louie we will miss you so- you were a rascal if there has ever been one and I’m so glad to have known you!

As the decades flew by we bounced art ideas around. We always met some place on Jefferson Hwy. he'll give me some new release of his music. His music will keep him alive! Love ya King Louie, Louis, Harahan Fats!
Your pal,
Little Stevie What Style Williams

Sorry for your unexpected and tragic loss. Our prayers are with you. 

Jake Dychtwald and family

I was working at this unbelievable greenhouse on Erato Street  and before or after work I would go see Paul from Kajun SS cooking there. I sat at the  counter. And a man was blathering on about will you please let me take you to Antoine's...and then I saw Louie with a  pan of dirty dishes grinning like crazy with bangs he cut  himself...and I knew then the man was the only one for me. We crossed paths so many times. I ruled the 17th. You ruled everything. IYou are that smile that lights up the world. I have no lack. 

I’m so sorry for your loss, Miss Elaine and the rest of Louie’s family, blood and band.

I’ve been trying all week to come to terms with this. I loved Louie. I really, really did.  I only lived in New Orleans for two years, but he left a great impression on my heart. Thank you for giving us Louie. 

xoxo…Andrea in Boston 



I am so proud to have been your friend. Thank you for everything. There will never be anyone remotely like you. RIP Louie. 

Me and my brother had a fanzine  and record label in the 90's called Savage in Stockholm, Sweden. It was all about garage rock. Louie sent us the first Persuaders 7" and we thought it was so great! We ended up using all our savings to put out their LP. Then we also did the first one man band record and even later Brick War. Louie in turn booked a US tour for my band the Blacks. It was a dream come true for twenty-year-old me.  Later I toured in Europe with the one man band and every time I've played New Orleans he came to see my band. My oldest son is named after him. There's just so many stories and quotes from Louie  that I'll never forget and it's hard to imagine a world without him. Wish I could be at the  funeral today. You'll be in my heart forever, Louie. Glad to have the amazing music...

I was wondering which out of so many spectacular moments I wanted to share about my memories of Louie. So I  will tell you about the Chinese Crawfiish debut night at the Spellcaster,the summer of 2005.The room was packed. Sweltering in anticipation. I was not sure what was delaying Louie. I cracked open the door and Louie was on his knees PRAYING. He gave one of the best shows of his life that night. Anyone who 
was there knows. God bless you Louie. God bless you Mrs.Bankston.Your son had the finest heart imaginable and to know him was to love him. 

Me and Louie outside of Goner Records in Memphis, TN. Louie was the OG- original Goner. We restarted the Goner Record label in 2004 to put out King Louie One Man Band album. Louie was a creative tornado, so much passion and energy and talent. After some point in the 1990s he just exploded and never stopped writing songs or coming up with new bands. He loved his friends so much, and was such a fan of other people's work. I remember him calling me to tell me he had just gotten off the phone with Micke Alba, one of his skateboarding heroes. I think he figured out early on that he loved music and skateboarding and that continued his whole life. I cannot imagine life without ever seeing Louie again. Thank you for all your passion and inspiration. We will never forget you. 

Bad Times was a project that recorded for one day, did one record, did one show. Well, we ended up doing a few more shows. But it was a great time. Recorded by Jay Reatard. 

With King Louie, Jay Reatard, Eric Oblivian. 

Featuring Louie's epic song "Streets Of Iron." 

Louie playing drums at the Bad Times record release show at Ernie K-Doe's Mother In Law Lounge, New Orleans, LA. 

Louie with Eric Friedl, Tom Suchman, Zac Ives at the Buccaneer Lounge in Memphis, TN. Site of many great rock n roll shows. 

Harlan T Bobo, Louie, Jack Yarber. Loose Diamonds walking out of the alley next to Goner Records, Memphis, TN.

Louie with Daphne Nabors, Jackson MS. Sometime in the 90s after a King Louie One Man Band gig. 

Louie with the Bad Times at Hozac Fest in Chicago. photo by Canderson.

I have put off writing in this memorial because it just makes it that much realer but I have enjoyed and taken comfort in reading everyone’s stories of Louie and the pictures. 

Ms. Elaine, I am so sorry for your deep loss. I, like many love Louie and love you. 
I have so many great memories of Louie it’s hard to pick one: There will never be anyone like Louie. He was the most passionate person about music, skateboarding, yo yo’s, pickles, Katy Perry, his friends, his family and basically anything he was focused on.  Louie always told me I could do anything I wanted. Years ago he got me to get a practice room so I could practice drums. I’m not a very good drummer but Louie would sit with me and play along side me. He would also tell me I was great, a natural, try playing this…he was so kind and saw potential in me I didn’t see. I am going to miss him. 


He will be truly miss, but his musical endeavors will live on.

You always made me laugh and lit up the room wherever you were. I'll miss you very much.

Rest in peace, Louie. I knew him for over 30 years and I have so many fond memories of him.  The world is a little less joyful without him.

Ms. Elaine, so sorry for your loss.   Louie was one of my best friends growing up. 
 Many of my best memories from my childhood was with Louie.  I remember playing Hot Wheels and trucks with him all over your house.   I remember watching Dukes of Hazard with him every Friday night and then acting it out as Bo and Luke later.   And then of course we got into skateboarding and would build ramps and half pipes and skate all over Harahan and River Ridge.   We had some great times.  

It's great seeing all of these photos of him from later on in his life and I'm sorry that I lost touch with him during high school.   He definitely lived an exciting life and he will be missed. 

Kevin

From Melbourne Australia, we wish to pass on our sincerest, heartfelt condolences to Ms. Elaine and Louie's other nearest and dearest. 
He was larger than life and cooler than an impossible flip. 
His music spoke volumes, and his conversation a trip. 
He was a fiend for the stage with words like a mage. 
It is from life and his love and passion we should all take a page. 
We feel lucky to have witnessed his brilliance and originality on stage and in person. To us, Louie was that big kid that we looked up to. His music and memory will live on in our minds and hearts.  With love and care from Jay, Ali, Paul & Mara

There's another side of Louie that not everybody knew about - electronic music!  Louie spent the last 6 years cooking up a one of a kind electronic music album called 'Touches' that was just as distinctive as his better-known rock & roll side.  Louie put so much detail into this project and as usual was never totally satisfied with the mix / song order - till just before he left us.   
Man, I'm going to miss our recording sessions and your always-great conversations ... but I have absolutely no doubt that you are right now rocking with the absolute best.  Heaven just became twice as loud as it was before!
Rest in peace, Louie... until we meet again.

I've spent this week scouring my emails to listen to all the songs Louie would send me at 4 am, the many pleas to help him online  :-)
Could he get my number (the same since '05) again? When can we talk? And did we talk! 12 hours? Nothing for us.  A quick chat. 
I've gone to his YouTube channel and listened to everything there again. Then put in all his band names, and played anything that came up, just to see him. The pictures he sent of himself, so much more precious now. Yo-yo for me, Louie! Kick flip for me, Louie! 
His smile could make anyone light up. His enthusiasm knew no bounds. The talent he had in one single hand outshone hundreds of other humans. Never before have I been so happy to have known such an amazing human as King Louie Bankston of Harahan. 
This loss is tremendous to so many, I think we are all stopped short, hearts in our throats. Why now, why now?  
Ms. Elaine, I cannot fathom your grief and I send you all the love and support I once gave to your son. He was so proud to be your son, and to tell tales of the hardware store around the world.  Your world has gone upside down in mere months, but you've always been strong.
I know because Louie had told me so many times.  Please accept my sincerest condolences. With a broken heart, Margaret Cross

Dear Elaine, Lorraine and I were so sorry to read of Louie’s passing. We remember him with his skateboard and our son Kevin’s playmate. He seems to have lived an interesting life traveling around the world and playing his music that he loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of your loss. Ken and Lorraine Davis

My first US tour playing with the Persuaders. It was a weird fantastic dream for me! Wouldn't have happened without Louie.

When Louie was 5 years old, he came to our families door and said ,"Don't you have a little boy here i can play with ?" That was in 1979.He became friends with Jeremy and then our families became friends while living in the Imperial Woods subdivision in Harahan. Louie was very smart explaining to everyone all the types of trucks and backhoes and what you used them for.
    Elaine , We love you and are always here for you.
Love Ruth Badeaux Hebert , D.J. Hebert ,Jeremy Hebert, Roxie , Frank, Frankie and Brigette Bruno 

Elaine i am so heartfelt sorry about Louie. I know how much you loved each other.  Just like my Mom and i. He was a charismatic  person always bringing out the best in everyone.. I'm sure he will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven with Paul entertaining everyone with his music. Keeping you in my thoughts prayers. Love your friend Tommy.

King Louie One Man Band - Switzerland 2005

Louie and Skwirl fake out make out @ Saturn Bar

Louie with Missing Monuments @ One Eyed Jacks

Louie watching The McGillicuddy's @ Saturn Bar

Sorry for your great loss Mrs. Bankston. (Message from Rebecca)

Louie with Royal Pendletons @ One Eyed Jacks

King Louie One Man Band @  Rocks Off RPM/ Thoth parade

Louie abandons cheese, chooses sleep, leaving bystanders in disbelief. With Michael Bateman. Switzerland 2005

Elaine There are no words for such and unimaginable loss  You`re in our thoughts and prayers . Ginger and Elvin

Louie directing Missing Monuments Painted White album cover shoot


Louie telling stories @ Doug Slut memorial

When I first moved to New Orleans in 2001, I was just getting to know the city and meeting people and it was really magical. I heard about this guy “King Louie” who was like a local legend. I remember thinking“who does he think he is?”  And people were getting excited because Louie was moving back to town. He had been in Portland working as a carnival ride operator and playing music. Then he arrived and I found out who he was. He was charismatic, he was full of stories, he was hilarious, he could be A lot to handle but he had a way of making a connection with you that made it all ok. Above all he lived and breathed MUSIC. We had just opened a record and clothing store and started having In store shows and Louie played his one man band on the front steps multiple times. He and my husband went on to play in bands together and he became family. We lived on Tchoupitoulas and he would ride his long board down the levee all the way to our house from Harahan! We moved back to AL right before Katrina and I remember Louie calling me to give me the most vivid description of the storm water rising up on them on the second floor in MS. He said that he, Rebecca and (I think) their dogs floated on a mattress to the roof of a barn next door. That ants surrounded them on the water and snakes floated by. I don’t know if all of it was true but he told the best stories and I believed all of them. I believe he would outlive us all. I don’t know why but I was NOT ready for the news that my friend was gone. I’m still not. I may never be. I don’t think any of us will be. We will miss you immensely Loumus. We love you and my deepest condolences to Ms. Elaine.  We all know he was a Mama’s Boy ❤️

The Royal Pendletons, Midwest Winter Tour, Chicago, Illinois 

The Royal Pendletons at Saturn Bar by Michael Dominici

The Royal Pendletons at Moon Studios, 2010 

The Royal Pendletons, "Sunday Gras" at Saturn Bar 

The Royal Pendletons at a Goner recording session, the Napoleon Room, Metairie, Louisiana 

The Royal Pendletons at the Saturn Bar during Mardi Gras by Gary Loverde

King Louie and the New Orleans Night Howlers 

The Royal Pendletons on the set of "Sore Losers" at the Western Steak House Lounge, Memphis, by Dan Ball 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Louis Paul Bankston

18 décembre 1972 – 13 février 2022

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

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