Record #0241: Monster Mash / Monster Mash Party – BOBBY “BORIS” PICKETT

Carpax 44167 (original) USA, Aug. 25, 1962
Words & Music by:  Side A – Bobby Pickett, Leonard Capizzi; Side B – Gary Paxton, Bobby Pickett
Musicians: Bobby Pickett (lead vocals and bass), Gary Paxton (guitar), Leon Russell (keyboards), Johnny McCrae (vocals), Rickie Page (vocals), Mel Taylor (drums), others unknown
Recording sessions: Produced by Gary Paxton at Homewood Studio, Hollywood, CA, Jul. 1962
Highest chart positions:  US #1, US R&B #9, UK #3 (in 1973)

The backing group was credited as The Crypt-Kickers. 

Paxton owned the Garpax label. He had also had a taste of charting success with his group “The Hollywood Argyles” (“Alley Oop”, US #1 in 1960). Mel Taylor joined The Ventures later in 1962. Leon Russell became a famous singer-songwriter later on.

Reportedly Elvis thought that “Monster Mash” was the most ridiculous song he had ever heard.

List price:  Very Good+ is $12.50, Near Mint is $25