A Graveyard Smashby Eva Pasco 
Bobby "Boris"
Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers' "Monster Mash" caught on in a
flash with its release in 1962. You might say Pickett's
Transylvanian twist was a blood tansfusion infused
by his father, a theater manager, who distilled in his
son a love of horror films. From his humble blue
collar abode, a jolt of electrodes juiced impersonations
of Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, with Pickett performing a
Hollywood nightclub act in '59. An excerpt from Pickett's
autobiography, Monster Mash, Half Dead in Hollywood,
reveals that one day, while he and his co-writer futzed
around with chord progressions on the piano, a Eureka moment
transpired: "Maybe the Frankenstein monster should start a
dance craze."
Most every major
record label passed on "The Monster Mash," but long story
short, the tune became a no. 1 hit within eight
weeks of its release. Fang-bitten by success, Pickett stuck
with his grave situation--in 2005, he recorded "Climate Mash,"
in protest of what he perceived as inactivity against global
warming.
Meantime, "While
the zombies were having fun," our own Halloween parties of the
Sixties rocked and apple bobbed with polyester jumpsuit
costumes and plastic unbreathable masks. In the 60s, the
Ben Cooper company turned out some of the most collectible
to-die-fors: Lost in Space suits, Land of the Giants, Dr. Spock,
and Star Wars from the Sci-Fi division. Let's not forget
the cryptic Addams Family and Munster threads haunting the
hollows.
The Sixties have
inspired their own far-out costumes cashing in on
our heyday of swinging parties, free love, and psychedelia.
One can snatch a Dr. Dooby tie-dyed lab coat, Go Go Retro
sheath, or Woodstock Wally tunic. But, could these wannabes
walk the walk? My eyes will surely behold an eerie
sight...
Copies of
"Underlying Notes" by Eva Pasco may be purchased
here:
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.jpg "The 60s - Carl - 1968 - Vietnam")
