Bobby "Boris" Pickett - Monster Mash Passes Away

Bobby "Boris" Pickett, singer of "Monster Mash," with the famous gravely intoned forever-stuck-in-your-head Boris Karloff voice: "He did the monster mash. ... It was a graveyard smash," has died of leukemia at the age of 69


Pickett used the impersonation in a nightclub act and when performing with his band the Cordials. A band mate convinced Pickett they needed to do a song to showcase the Karloff voice, and "Monster Mash" was born.

"Monster Mash" hit the Billboard chart three times: when it debuted in 1962, reaching No. 1 the week before Halloween. Again in August 1970, and for a third time in May 1973. So popular, that several other bands have done 'covers' but there will always only be one Monster Mash.

He remained in demand for Halloween performances, including a memorable 1973 show where his bus broke down outside Frankenstein, Missouri.


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