A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs Episode 53: “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Oct 21, 2019
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
One-Hit Wonder's Impact
- Screamin' Jay Hawkins, despite having only one major hit, built a lasting career.
- His theatrical stage show influenced countless shock rockers and even a British political party.
War Stories
- Hawkins frequently fabricated stories, like being a Japanese POW for 18 months.
- Army records contradict this, showing his service from December 1945 to 1952.
Childhood Resentment and Fatherhood
- Hawkins, resentful of his mother for fostering him out, fathered 57-75 children.
- He abandoned all of them, mirroring his own childhood experience.