How an actor’s Boris Karloff impression turned into the biggest Halloween hit of all time
The article traces the making of Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash”, a novelty song built around his impression of horror actor Boris Karloff. Its enduring popularity has made it a recurring Halloween favourite and a major part of the season’s popular music.
Pickett developed the idea while performing with the Cordials, and recorded the song with the Crypt-Kickers in 1962. The track reached number one in the US and returned to the charts in later years, helped by its theatrical narration and horror-film theme.
In short
- Bobby Pickett turned a Boris Karloff impression into “Monster Mash”.
- The 1962 song became a recurring Halloween favourite.
- Its theatrical horror theme helped it endure.
Explained simply
Bobby “Boris” Pickett was an American singer who became known for imitating Boris Karloff, the actor famous for playing Frankenstein’s monster. In 1962, Pickett turned the impression into “Monster Mash”, recording it with a group called the Crypt-Kickers.
The song tells a playful story set at a monster party, using spoken narration and sounds associated with old horror films. It topped the US charts and has returned to them in later years, becoming a regular part of Halloween music and popular culture.
Celebrity Entertainment Horror Music