Robert George Pickett (A.k.a Bobby “Boris” Pickett was a singer-songwriter and TV show narrator born in 1938 from Somerville Massachusetts.
He is most known for his involvement in the group “Bobby Boris Pickett and The Crypt Kickers” history of children songs from the early 1960’s to the late 1980’s about many topics relating to halloween.
He would then go on to work on many parodies of famous songs and soundtracks from the 1980’s till his death in 2007. With most of these parodies and spoofs having the same imageries as his own discography
The Beginning of the Monsters:
The begging Pickett’s discography started in 1962 when Pickett and his band the “Cordials At Night” were performing parodies of popular songs through imitating horror movie icon Boris Karloff, at Pickett’s fathers nightclub. On night while performing at his fathers nightclub Pickett caught the attention of local record producer named Gary Sanford Paxton. Paxton, (who was a fan of horror movies) thought that Pickett’s idea was genius and commissioned both Pickett and fellow Cordials At Night band member Lenny Capizzi to write their own original song of the same themes and imitations used in the band parodies. This song created is now known as “Monster Mash”.
The song “Monster Mash” was an instant hit on the charts with the song being number 1 in the world charts the week of Halloween that year. The song would then re-enter the charts 8 times since during the Halloween week.
The High Demand of More Monster Mash:
After the immediate success of “Monster Mash” Pickett and his new band called “The Crypt Keepers” (consisting of Pickett, Capizzi, and 3 other composers who worked on the “Monster Mash”) were then commissioned again by Paxton to produce a full length album with the same themes as “Monster Mash”. This album was completed and then released only a few months later with the name “The Original Monster Mash”. This album would feature 15 new monster related songs, with a wide variety of features from different nightclub artists of Los Angeles in the early 1960’s. The album however wouldn't ever reach the charts, since the album had little to no advertising and was released after halloween.
Imagery To Soon For The Times:
Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s discography at this point in time was loved by many who enjoyed both horror movies and Halloween. However this was the 1960’s and some people thought that the imagery of a lot of Pickett’s songs were too gory and graphic for children who may be subjected to the song.
Some distribution took it upon itself to ban some of Pickett’s songs they deemed to be not suitable for the average listeners. Most notably BBC decided to ban the all of Pickett’s discography from 1962 to 1973. The ban of his music was lifted after guitarist Brian Ray (guitarist for Paul McCartney) campaigned to have the song distributed in the UK, (which the BBC finally complied to).
Other notable countries Pickett’s music was banned in were: Canada, Australia and Ireland, who also originally considered his discography to be to gory and graphic for the common listener. After the BBC released the song in the Uk October 1973, both Canada and Australia would change their minds as well and release the songs the same month as well. These were then followed by Ireland a year later.
Back To The Basics:
After the wide success worldwide of Pickett’s discography so far. He would take a decade long break from music. In the 1980’s after the beginning of popularity of rap music Pickett would make his return to the industry in 1985 with the release of his song called “Monster Rap”. “Monster Rap” featured the same imagery as Pickett’s previous monster esque discography, but with 1980’s inspired rap/RnB influences beats and sounds used at the time.
The song “Monster Rap” theme is about how the mad scientist from the song “Monster Mash” is trying to teach its monsters how to talk. when this proves to be unsuccessful the mad scientist then resorts to teaching the monsters how to rap instead. which then is proven to be successful by the end of the song.
Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s re-debut into the music industry didn't perform to well on the charts, as the song wasn't released around Halloween and his core fanbase/listeners didn't consume rap and RnB music at the time. However years later a parody of the song would be used as a clap back from environmentalist Peter Altman to George W. Bush’s environmental plan in the 2004 presidential election.
The End Of Pickett’s Career:
After his comeback in 1985 Pickett would do one more song titled “Its Alive” in 1993 as a 20 year celebration of the “Monster Mash” release worldwide, however the song wouldn't ever be published onto radio. mostly focus on narration and writing of music for different T.V shows and holiday T.V specials. Some of his work from the late 1980’s till 2007 includes: voice acting and writing in the Simpsons Valentines special (season 4), guest hosting Beyond Vaudeville, and narrating the movie “Spookley The Square Pumpkin”. Throughout these year he would hold special concerts around the Halloween season in notable cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and Boston as well.
A Closing Thought:
In conclusion the career and legacy of Bobby “Boris” Pickett may not be known to many. However the impact his work from the 1960’s such as “The Original Monster Mash” and his many narrator and parodies from the 1980’s to his death in 2007, changed the way people in both European and Western counties celebrate Halloween forever.
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Authors Notes:
The idea for this article came to me from SongPsych’s top 20 songs video on youtube, where its host brought up the musician Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s discography. Before doing research for this article I was unaware of his name and how he is the creator of one of the most nostalgic Halloween songs from my childhood. While doing research for this article I thought it was interesting how a musician based all of his work from one simple theme, and the ever lasting impact his songs have to the holiday, close to 60 years after its release.
*All the information and photos used in this article were taken from the web with the intent of educational use. None of the links and pictures used within the article are of my own.
