Bobby (Boris) Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers - The Original Monster Mash (1962)

"Rabian - The Fiendage Idol" by Bobby (Boris) Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds

(Wa-ooh) Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds

(Wa-wa-ooh) The Coffin Bangers were about to arrive

(Wa-ooh) With their vocal group, The Crypt-Kicker Five

Bobby Pickett released his Halloween classic single "Monster Mash" in 1962 and its album The Original Monster Mash the same year on Garpax Records.

The album starts with the "Monster Mash" and builds upon the world established in it. Bobby Pickett's Dr. Frankenstein-like "Boris," henchman Igor, pop idol-aspirant Wolfman and rival "Drac" all return to pad the album with their own dance craze hits and graveyard skits. At its best, Bobby Pickett and his producers hit a Frank Zappa (for kids) level of satire, but that sense of wit is short-lived as the songs feel ever longer and tiresome and the interest in spoofing loses ground to world-building. After a few non-hit singles as just Bobby Pickett, "Boris" and the gang would return to recording every now and then either to spoof the latest trend (Woodstock, Rap) or advocate for social issues like the environment and anti-smoking.

Here is the discography surrounding Bobby Pickett's debut album:

The International Twist (1962 single with The Cordials)

Monster Mash (1962 single as Bobby (Boris) Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers)

The Original Monster Mash

Monsters' Holiday (1962 single as Bobby (Boris) Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers)

Graduation Day (1963 single)

Simon the Sensible Surfer (1963 single)

The Monster Swim (1964 single as Bobby Pickett and The Rolling Bones)

Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) (1964 single as Bobby Pickett and The Filter-Tip Kickers)

Blood Bank Blues (1965 single as Bobby (Boris) Pickett)

Wake Up My Mind (1965 single)

Monster Concert (1970 single as Bobby (Boris) Pickett)

Monster Man Jam (1970 single as Bobby (Boris) Pickett)

Me and My Mummy (1973 single as Bobby (Boris) Pickett)

Monster Rap (1984 single as Bobby (Boris) Pickett)

"Monster Mash" by Bobby (Boris) Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers

"Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)" by Bobby Pickett and The Filter-Tip Kickers

"Monster Concert" by Bobby (Boris) Pickett

"Monster Rap" by Bobby (Boris) Pickett

Pass the Headphones!!