The Crazy Real-Life Story Of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Music's First Shock Rocker

When pioneering rock 'n' roll DJ Alan Freed played "I Put a Spell on You" on his radio show, it became an instant underground favorite. Entranced by Hawkins' haunting and seemingly diabolical vocal stylings, an audience of mostly white teenagers made the off-kilter love song a hit.

When pioneering rock 'n' roll DJ Alan Freed played "I Put a Spell on You" on his radio show, it became an instant underground favorite. Entranced by Hawkins' haunting and seemingly diabolical vocal stylings, an audience of mostly white teenagers made the off-kilter love song a hit.

Before the mainstream got a glimpse of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, he had already established a reputation as a dangerous wild man thanks to his hit song. As detailed in Nick Tosches' Unsung Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll, critics and moral gatekeepers interpreted "I Put a Spell on You" as being about everything from cannibalism to rape. Consequently, many radio stations refused to play it.

On the strength of Hawkins' cult hit, Alan Freed added the singer to his travelling Rock 'n' Roll Revue. Encouraging Hawkins to amp up the horror movie vibe of his performances, Freed suggested that Hawkins rise from a coffin at the beginning of his set. At first reluctant, Hawkins relented when Freed paid him $2,000 extra for the stunt.

Onstage, Hawkins played the role of a witch doctor to the hilt. Incorporating rubber snakes, skeletons, pyrotechnics, and a cigarette-smoking skull on a stick, affectionately dubbed "Henry," into his concerts, Hawkins, clad in a black cape, wild eyed, and growling like a madman, soon gained a reputation as rock music's answer to Boris Karloff. Like Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson after him, Hawkins' shows were picketed by offended citizens for being in poor taste.

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