Final answer:
The first important national garage band hit is "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen. It was pivotal in forwarding the garage rock genre and established a foundation for ragged, energetic music that influenced later punk rock.
Step-by-step explanation:
The song regarded as the first important garage band hit on a national level is "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen, which makes option A the correct choice. This iconic track, known for its catchy riff and often indiscernible lyrics, was released in 1963 and quickly became a staple of the garage rock genre. Its influence was profound, laying the groundwork for the raw, energetic sound that would come to define garage bands and the ensuing punk rock movement.
Before the rise of garage bands, the rock and roll scene was predominantly marked by artists like Bill Haley and His Comets and Chuck Berry, who combined the energetic elements of R&B with rock and roll. Similarly, Elvis Presley from Memphis played a crucial role in blending various musical styles, creating a new sound that helped spread rock and roll's popularity. However, it was "Louie Louie" that brought the garage band sound from local scenes to the national spotlight, showcasing the potential for fledgling bands to achieve mainstream success with a gritty and straightforward approach to rock music.