Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Initially intent on becoming an opera singer and an admirer of Paul Robeson, Jay Hawkins found success througha completely different musical route, that of R&B. Even then he developed his own branch of R&B, blending itwith shock rock to become one of the most flamboyant musicians on the circuit.Part of his stage act, built around the success of the single I Put A Spell On You was his appearance on stageemerging out of a coffin. It was initially done as part of a bet with Alan Freed, but when the stunt attracted considerableacclaim it became part and parcel of his stage act, with the emergence becoming ever more theatrical asthe years progressed. Alongside the coffin were smoking skulls, rubber snakes (as well as some live ones) and astage personna that was dubbed by some as a black Vincent Price.Besides being an excellent live performer Screamin Jay Hawkins was also an exceptional singer. This recordingwas the album that kick-started his career, containing the major hit in I Put A Spell On You as well as the followup You Made Me Love You.