Bobby (Boris) Pickett And The Crypt-Kickers

It’s the better late than never post for today, as I finally get my Friday Flipside post up and in order. Today’s flip is by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers and was the “B” side to his number one, million seller “Monster Mash.”

While Pickett tried to get the “A” side released on numerous labels, it was passed by them all until Gary S. Paxton took a chance and recorded, produced, and released the single on his GARPAX records. It charted right before Halloween 1962.

Paxton hired a number of session musicians including Leon Russell to play on the “Monster Mash,” which was a parody of the numerous dance related records (“The Twist,” “Peppermint Twist,” “The Mashed Potato,” and others).

While Pickett, who did the voices impressions, co-wrote the “A” side with Leonard Capizzi, he and Paxton co-wrote the “B” side – “Monsters’ Mash Party.” It is basically an instrumental with Pickett doing the monster voices. It’s the perfect example of coming up with a flip side at the last moment. “Wail, Frankie, wail.”