From the Vinyl Gym: Halloween Oldies

Every year I re-post this list of “classic-retro” blasts from the past for the spooky season.

It’s the season to be screamin’: In 1956 Screamin’ Jay Hawkins popped out of his on-stage coffin to “put a spell on you” (and millions of others). He was a singer, songwriter, musician and former middleweight boxing champion of Alaska. He later joined a band and eventually became a solo performer delivering powerful and theatrical performances wearing leopard skins, red leather, wild hats and macabre props. Screamin’ Jay was considered the pioneer of “shock rock.” Born 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio, he passed on in 2000.

The late 50’s and 60’s were filled with plenty of dance crazes. In 1962, Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers gave us a Halloween dance treat, the Monster Mash. In 1973 the Monster Mash hit the Billboard Top 40 list once AGAIN. Even now it’s stilled played especially this time of year.

The 1970 group Bloodrock, released their one and only hit, D.O.A., a lurid tale about an airplane crash–truly an eerie and haunting song.

Michael Jackson’s Thriller featured the late actor, Vincent Price, adding his own personal maniacal laugh, giving Thriller, the perfect ending. The video had sensational choreography and serious zombie dance moves. Still a fun video to watch.

Metallica’s Sandman heavy metal masterpiece can give anyone a good jolt of bad nerves or restless sleep – yet there’s something infectious about the music and the lyrics.

Edgar Winter’s Frankenstein was pure instrumental, but the opening riffs are sure to flash images of the clunky Frankenstein monster escaping from the creepy castle.

Vanilla Fudge’s haunting and wailing version of “Season of the Witch” still sends a chill down my spine, and the Fifth Estate’s Ding Dong the Witch is Dead can still make me laugh.

Give these creaky, moldy oldies a workout!  Load them into your favorite listening devices or check them out on YouTube:

Headless Horseman – Bing Crosby (’55)
That Old Black Magic – Ella Fitzgerald (‘55)
I Put a Spell on You – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (’56)
Witchcraft – Frank Sinatra (’57)
Monster’s Hop – Bert Convy (’58)
Witch Doctor – David Seville (‘58)
Love Potion #9 – The Clovers (’59) The Searchers (’64)
The Monster Mash – Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers (’62)
Grim Grinning Ghosts – Buddy Baker (’62)
Beware – Bill Buchanan (’62)
(You’re the) Devil in Disguise – Elvis (’63)
Haunted Castle (instrumental flip side of Louie Louie) – The Kingsmen (’63)
Devil With a Blue Dress – Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels (’66)
Little Red Riding Hood – Sam The Sham and the Pharoahs (’66)
Boris the Spider – The Who (’66)
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead – The Fifth Estate (’67)
Strange Brew – Cream (‘67)
Season of the Witch – Vanilla Fudge (’68) and Donovan (’66)
Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival (’69)
Spooky – Classics IV (’68) and Dusty Springfield (’70)
The Witch Queen of New Orleans – Redbone (‘71)
Voodoo Woman – Koko Taylor (‘75)
Evil Woman (don’t play your games with me) – Crow (’70)
Black Magic Woman – Santana (’70)
Riders on the Storm – The Doors (’71) – a very eerie song
D.O.A. Bloodrock (’71)
Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult (’72)
Frankenstein – Edgar Winter (’73)
Superstition – Stevie Wonder (’73)
Devil Woman – Cliff Richard (’76)
Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon (’78)
Running With the Devil – Van Halen (’78)
The Devil Went Down to Georgia – Charlie Daniels (’79)
Ghost Riders in the Sky – Johnny Cash (’79) The Outlaws (’80)
Lady Evil – Black Sabbath (‘80)
Highway to Hell – AC/DC (’79)
Thriller – Michael Jackson (’82)
Twilight Zone – Golden Earring (’82)
Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell (’84)
Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr. (’84)
Dead Man’s Party – Oingo Boingo (’85)
Enter the Sandman – Metallica (’91)

HAPPY ROCKIN’ HALLOWEEN!

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