The
novelty band whose main claim to fame is the perennial
Halloween hit "
Monster Mash".
Pickett, born in 1941, moved to
Los Angeles after his discharge from the
Army in 1961, with dreams of becoming an actor. He joined a singing group called
the Cordials and, after perfecting his
impersonation of
horror movie actor Boris Karloff, co-wrote "Monster Mash" with Cordials member
Leonard Capizzi to take advantage of the
Mashed Potato dance craze.
The other members of the Crypt-Kickers were
Leon Russell (Yes,
THE Leon Russell),
Johnny McCrae,
Rickie Page, and producer
Gary Paxton. Pickett has had a few minor hits, including a followup called the "
Monster Rap", but "Monster Mash" will be the song that will eventually get him into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...