Bobby “Boris” Pickett was 24 years old when his one hit wonder shot to the top of the charts in 1962, forever cementing “Monster Mash” in the public consciousness. It was a fluke, inspired by the cheesy horror flicks from the ’30s and ’40s with Boris Karloff starring as classic characters like the Mummy, the Frankenstein Monster, and about 100 mad scientists.

Monster Mash would chart twice again, in 1970 and 1973, but it was the only hit that Pickett would ever make, despite a few efforts. Nevertheless, the man continued cashing in on the song for the rest of his life and it was the reason he was always booked on Halloween.

Here’s hoping the fellow’s funeral is, indeed, a “graveyard smash.”

1-Hit Wonder Bobby `Boris’ Pickett, Voice of Halloween Favorite `Monster Mash,’ Dies at 69 [ap.org]

(image: themonstermash.com)