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The Monster Mash: Everything You Didn't Know (2024)
Impact
Performances
35:00
Bobby Boris Pickett’s Monster Mash became a cultural phenomenon, with even Boris Karloff, the original Frankenstein monster, showing appreciation for the song. In 1965, Karloff and Ted Cassidy (who played Lurch on The Addams Family) performed Monster Mash on the music show Shindig, creating a unique moment where Karloff was doing an impression of Pickett, who was in turn doing an impression of him. However, despite their mutual admiration for the song, Pickett and Karloff never met in person. The song’s legacy has only grown, with performances from stars like Mike Tyson and Bobby Brown in 2005, further cementing Monster Mash as an iconic Halloween anthem. Pickett also shared a story about Elvis Presley allegedly disliking the song. He claimed that a girl who frequented Elvis’ house told him that Elvis thought Monster Mash was “the stupidest thing” he had ever heard. Pickett, ever the performer, often retold this anecdote during his live shows, adding, “If you're still out there listening, Elvis, I'm still here,” poking fun at the King of Rock. This story added to Pickett's reputation as a playful and somewhat rebellious figure in the music world, keeping the audience engaged with his witty remarks and humorous commentary. Despite the success of Monster Mash, Pickett was unable to fully capitalize on it due to industry setbacks. John Zacherly, another TV horror host, released his own Monster Mash album before Pickett could record a follow-up, forcing Pickett to title his own album The Original Monster Mash. Pickett blamed delays and poor planning on his producer Gary Paxton, whom he described as unprofessional. These inefficiencies led to missed opportunities, as Zacherly’s version of the song sold tens of thousands of copies, and Pickett was unable to release a full album in time to match that success. Despite the frustration, Pickett and Zacherly had no ill will, and there’s even footage of the two performing the song together later on.
TMI: The Monster Mash
35:00 - 39:59
Bobby Boris Pickett’s Monster Mash became a cultural phenomenon, with even Boris Karloff, the original Frankenstein monster, showing appreciation for the song. In 1965, Karloff and Ted Cassidy (who played Lurch on The Addams Family) performed Monster Mash on the music show Shindig, creating a unique moment where Karloff was doing an impression of Pickett, who was in turn doing an impression of him. However, despite their mutual admiration for the song, Pickett and Karloff never met in person. The song’s legacy has only grown, with performances from stars like Mike Tyson and Bobby Brown in 2005, further cementing Monster Mash as an iconic Halloween anthem. Pickett also shared a story about Elvis Presley allegedly disliking the song. He claimed that a girl who frequented Elvis’ house told him that Elvis thought Monster Mash was “the stupidest thing” he had ever heard. Pickett, ever the performer, often retold this anecdote during his live shows, adding, “If you're still out there listening, Elvis, I'm still here,” poking fun at the King of Rock. This story added to Pickett's reputation as a playful and somewhat rebellious figure in the music world, keeping the audience engaged with his witty remarks and humorous commentary. Despite the success of Monster Mash, Pickett was unable to fully capitalize on it due to industry setbacks. John Zacherly, another TV horror host, released his own Monster Mash album before Pickett could record a follow-up, forcing Pickett to title his own album The Original Monster Mash. Pickett blamed delays and poor planning on his producer Gary Paxton, whom he described as unprofessional. These inefficiencies led to missed opportunities, as Zacherly’s version of the song sold tens of thousands of copies, and Pickett was unable to release a full album in time to match that success. Despite the frustration, Pickett and Zacherly had no ill will, and there’s even footage of the two performing the song together later on.
Performances