The 1962 novelty song "Monster Mash" was originally released as a single by whom?

Bobby George Pickett (February 11, 1938 – April 25, 2007), was better known as Bobby "Boris" Pickett. He (Bobby "Boris" Pickett )and The Crypt-Kickers recorded and released the "Monster Mash" album in late 1962, following the success of Pickett's "Monster Mash" single. The Crypt-Kickers included Leon Russell and Gary Paxton. In addition to the hit single, the album features spin-off songs of "Monster Mash" and horror-themed parodies of contemporary hits and dance trends.

The album's somewhat unwieldy title arose from the need to distinguish it in the marketplace from an album by John Zacherle on the rival Cameo-Parkway label, titled "Monster Mash" and featuring Zacherle's cover version of the song.

Although major labels declined to distribute the song, Gary S. Paxton finally agreed to release it across the United States. "Monster Mash" became a million-seller and for a while peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Though Pickett never achieved the same success as he did with "Monster Mash" on the charts, he continued to lend his voice to further parodies and other songs throughout the rest of his life. Pickett also made appearances on television, film, and radio as a guest star, narrator, actor, and disc jockey. In 2005, he released "Monster Mash: Half Dead in Hollywood", an autobiography. Pickett died of leukemia on April 25, 2007, at age 69.