History of Monster Mash in Timeline
"Monster Mash" is a 1962 novelty song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett that became a Halloween hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Released alongside a monster-themed LP, the song has remained popular, even re-entering the charts in 2021.
1950: Misfits Include "Monster Mash" on "Project 1950"
The Misfits re-recorded "Monster Mash" for their 2003 album, "Project 1950."
August 1962: "Monster Mash" Released
In August 1962, Bobby "Boris" Pickett released "Monster Mash" as a single on Gary S. Paxton's Garpax Records label.
December 1962: "Monsters' Holiday" Released
Following the success of "Monster Mash," Bobby Pickett released a Christmas-themed follow-up titled "Monsters' Holiday" in December 1962. The song, written by renowned novelty songwriter Paul Harrison, peaked at number 30 on the Billboard chart.
1962: BBC Bans "Monster Mash"
The BBC banned "Monster Mash" from its airwaves in 1962, deeming the song "too morbid."
1967: Misfits "Monster Mash" Promotes "Mad Monster Party?"
The Misfits' rendition of "Monster Mash" was used to promote the home video release of the 1967 stop-motion film "Mad Monster Party?." The band even hosted a special screening of the restored film.
1967: Misfits Record "Monster Mash" Cover
The horror punk band the Misfits recorded their version of "Monster Mash" in 1997.
1969: Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band Performs and Records "Monster Mash"
The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, the house band for the UK TV series Do Not Adjust Your Set, performed a version of "Monster Mash" in 1969. A studio recording of their rendition was later featured on their album "Tadpoles."
August 1970: "Monster Mash" Re-emerges on US Charts
Following its initial success, "Monster Mash" reappeared on the US Billboard charts in August 1970.
May 5, 1973: "Monster Mash" Re-enters Billboard Hot 100
"Monster Mash" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on May 5, 1973.
May 1973: "Monster Mash" Makes Chart Comeback
"Monster Mash" returned to the US Billboard charts once again in May 1973.
August 4, 1973: "Monster Mash" Tops Canadian Charts
On August 4, 1973, "Monster Mash" reached the number one spot on the Canadian music charts.
August 28, 1973: "Monster Mash" Achieves Gold Certification
The 1970 reissue of "Monster Mash" on the Parrot label was certified Gold on August 28, 1973, signifying sales of over one million copies.
September 15, 1973: Casey Kasem's "Monster Mash" Mishap
On American Top 40, Casey Kasem mistakenly stated that "Monster Mash" had spent 40 weeks on the Hot 100, which would have been a record at the time. A listener later corrected him, pointing out that the calculation included the song's 1970 chart run.
1973: Bobby Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers Tour
To commemorate the 1973 re-release of "Monster Mash," Bobby Pickett and his band, the Crypt-Kickers, embarked on a tour in Dallas and St. Louis around Halloween. Notable members of the Crypt-Kickers included Brian Ray, who would later become Paul McCartney's guitarist.
1974: Anonymous "Monster Mash" Cover Released
An anonymous session musician recorded a cover version of "Monster Mash," which was released in 1974 by Mr Pickwick Records on the "Top Of The Tots" EP. This EP also featured similar covers of popular children's songs.
1974: Buck Owens Reimagines "Monsters' Holiday"
Country music star Buck Owens reinterpreted "Monsters' Holiday" in 1974, renaming it "It's a Monsters' Holiday." This version reached number six on Billboard's Country chart and number nine in Canada.
1985: "Monster Rap" Released
In 1985, amidst the rising popularity of rap music, Bobby Pickett released "Monster Rap." This song continued the narrative of "Monster Mash," portraying the mad scientist's attempts to teach the monster how to rap.
1989: Stuart Hersh Becomes Pickett's Manager
Stuart Hersh took on the role of Bobby Pickett's manager in 1989.
1993: Pickett Re-records "Monster Mash"
Upon discovering that Bobby Pickett didn't own the master recording of "Monster Mash," he and Stuart Hersh re-recorded an identical version of the song in 1993. Their goal was to regain control over the song's licensing and ensure its continued relevance by making it more accessible for independent productions.
1995: "Monster Mash" Movie Musical Released
A movie musical inspired by "Monster Mash" and starring Bobby Pickett was released in 1995.
October 18, 1997: Misfits Perform "Monster Mash" Live
On October 18, 1997, the Misfits recorded and broadcast a live performance of "Monster Mash" from a New Jersey studio for the cable TV music show Power Play. This marked the first time bassist Jerry Only took on lead vocals for the band.
1997: Misfits Record "Monster Mash" Cover
The horror punk band the Misfits recorded their version of "Monster Mash" in 1997.
September 1998: Release of "Mad Monster Party?" Soundtrack
In September 1998, the soundtrack album for the film "Mad Monster Party?" was released. The album cover featured an image of Boris Karloff as he appears in the film, licensed from his daughter Sarah Karloff.
October 1999: Release of the Misfits' "Monster Mash" Single
After a delay for mixing, the Misfits released their studio recording of "Monster Mash" as a physical single in October 1999. This marked the first release on their newly formed label, Misfits Records. The single featured the same Boris Karloff image used for the "Mad Monster Party?" soundtrack, licensed from his daughter.
1999: Misfits Release "Monster Mash" Single
The Misfits released their cover of "Monster Mash" as a single in 1999.
1999: Release of Two Pressings of the Misfits' "Monster Mash" Single
Two different pressings of the Misfits' "Monster Mash" single were released in 1999, both on 7" vinyl. The first pressing, limited to 1,000 copies, featured the studio version on both sides and was available in green, red, and gold vinyl. The second pressing, also limited to 1,000 copies, featured the studio version on side A and the live version on side B and was available exclusively on glow-in-the-dark vinyl.
2001: Release of "Cuts from the Crypt" Compilation Album
The Misfits' studio recording of "Monster Mash" was included on their compilation album "Cuts from the Crypt", released in 2001. The live version was excluded at the request of their label, Roadrunner Records.
2003: DVD Release of "Mad Monster Party?"
"Mad Monster Party?" was eventually released on DVD in 2003 by Anchor Bay Entertainment, further solidifying its cult classic status.
2003: Release of "Project 1950" Album
A new rendition of "Monster Mash" was featured on the Misfits' 2003 album, "Project 1950". This version, recorded by the then-lineup of Jerry Only, Dez Cadena, and Marky Ramone, was noted for its faster tempo and heavier sound compared to the original.
2003: Misfits Include "Monster Mash" on "Project 1950"
The Misfits re-recorded "Monster Mash" for their 2003 album, "Project 1950."
2004: "Monster Slash" Targets Bush Administration
During the 2004 US presidential election, Bobby Pickett adapted "Monster Mash" into a political campaign song titled "Monster Slash." With lyrics by environmental activist Peter Altman, the song criticized President George W. Bush's environmental policies.
2004: "One Hit Wonder" Released by Blair Packham
Blair Packham released a song titled "One Hit Wonder" in 2004. The song offered a poignant reflection on the later years of Bobby Pickett's music career and his complex relationship with his most famous creation, "Monster Mash."
2005: "Monster Mash" Charts on Digital Song Sales
"Monster Mash" achieved chart success on the Digital Song Sales chart in 2005, indicating its continued popularity in the digital era.
2007: "Monster Mash" Maintains Digital Presence
"Monster Mash" continued to chart on the Digital Song Sales chart from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2017, demonstrating its enduring appeal.
November 2, 2008: "Monster Mash" Returns to UK Charts
"Monster Mash" made a comeback on the British charts on November 2, 2008, reaching number 60.
2011: "Monster Mash" Remains a Digital Favorite
"Monster Mash" continued to chart on the Digital Song Sales chart from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2017, demonstrating its enduring appeal.
2012: "Monster Mash" Ranked on Billboard
In 2012, "Monster Mash" earned a ranking of number 25 on Billboard, further solidifying its legacy as a Halloween classic.
2013: "Monster Mash" Enjoys Digital Revival
"Monster Mash" continued to chart on the Digital Song Sales chart from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2017, demonstrating its enduring appeal.
2017: "Monster Mash" Holds Strong Digitally
"Monster Mash" continued to chart on the Digital Song Sales chart from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2017, demonstrating its enduring appeal.
November 13, 2021: "Monster Mash" Makes 38th Week Appearance on Hot 100
On November 13, 2021, "Monster Mash" reappeared on the Hot 100 chart, marking its 38th week overall.
2021: "Monster Mash" Re-enters Billboard Hot 100
Nearly 60 years after its release, "Monster Mash" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2021, reaching number 37.