Let’s do the ‘Monster Mash’

The man responsible for a popular Halloween tune's first name is Robert, but he goes by Bobby, with the nickname Boris, according to classicbands.com.

Robert Pickett grew up in Massachusetts and he loved horror movies. At age 9, he would impersonate Boris Karloff after seeing his movies.

He went into the Army and was discharged. In 1960, he moved to Los Angeles and joined The Cordials with a couple of guys he knew when growing up in Massachusetts, according to an interview with Pickett, Lenny and Billy Capizi, and two others, Ronnie Deltorto and Lou Toscano. The crowd was entertained with Pickett impersonating Boris Karloff. Lenny suggested recording a Halloween novelty song. They then wrote "Monster Mash" in a half hour.

Gary Paxton, from The Hollywood Argyles and now a producer, helped with the recording along with Leon Russell, Johnny McCrae and Rickie Page. Paxton named the group Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Cryptkickers.

The sound effects were all Pickett:

• Creaky door: a nail pulled from wood.
• Boiling cauldron: Pickett blowing bubbles in a glass of water with a straw.
• Chains were moved up and down.

It took only one take. Paxton then went to numerous labels and after being turned down, he went to radio stations in California. In 1962, "Monster Mash" hit No.1 on Oct. 20, just in time for Halloween. It has three gold records. It hit the charts again in August 1970 at No. 91, then again in May 1972, reaching No. 10.

Bobby Pickett also released "Graduation Day," "Monster's Swim" and "Monsters Rap." He performed on American Bandstand and sang "Monster Mash" twice in one show, which was the first time that happened to any performer.

"Monster Mash" is still such a part of pop culture that it has even woken up astronauts on Halloween Day and has been on many TV shows such as Happy Days, Cheers and The Simpsons.

Bobby "Boris" Pickett toured small venues throughout the U.S., with his last performance in November 2006. At age 69, Pickett died of leukemia in April 2007.