Screamin Jay Hawkins

Jalacy Hawkins, best known as Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (July 18, 1929 – February 12, 2000) was an African-American singer.
Famed chiefly for his powerful, operatic vocal delivery & wildly theatrical performances of songs such as “I Put a Spell on You” and “Constipation Blues,” Hawkins sometimes used macabre props onstage, making him perhaps the first shock rocker.
I vividly remember buying “I put a spell on you” the 45 back in the late 50’s and wearing the hell out of it, because it was constantly on the turntable. I think we also wore out a couple of copies down at the local juke joint (corner cafe).

Here are some concert clips from 1990 or thereabouts. First up his all time classic.

I Put A Spell on You

Halloween Music

This is what the kids will all be saying tonight, although it may come out as Trick or Treat. But this is what they will really be saying. This 1982 clip from the UK band Bow Wow Wow, fronted by Annabella Lwin. It was originally recorded by The Strangeloves in 1965, so this is a cover version. But it is one of the few where the cover is better than the original.

This is the original track, so very tame video.