Screamin' Jay Hawkins was the most outrageous performer extant during rock's dawn. Prone to emerging out of coffins on-stage, a flaming skull named Henry his constant companion, Screamin' Jay was an insanely theatrical figure long before it was even remotely acceptable.
Hawkins' life story is almost as bizarre as his on-stage schtick. Originally inspired by the booming baritone of Paul Robeson, Hawkins was unable to break through as an opera singer. His boxing prowess was every bit as lethal as his vocal cords; many of his most hilarious tales revolve around Jay beating the hell out of a musical rival.
Hawkins caught his first musical break in 1951 as pianist/valet to veteran jazz guitarist Tiny Grimes. He debuted on wax for Gotham the following year with "Why Did You Waste My Time," backed by Grimes & His Rockin' Highlanders (they donned kilts and tam o' shanters on-stage). Singles for Timely ("Baptize Me in Wine") and Mercury's Wing subsidiary preceded Hawkins' immortal 1956 rendering of "I Put a Spell on You" for Columbia's OKeh imprint.
The cinema was a beneficiary of Screamin' Jay's larger-than-life persona in later years. His featured roles in Mystery Train and A Rage in Harlem made Hawkins a familiar visage to youngsters who never even heard "I Put a Spell on You." He died February 12, 2000 following surgery to treat an aneurysm; Hawkins was 70.
1977 Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You (2008 Canada Unidisc AGEK-2009)
1989 Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You (CHARLY 181)
1990 Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Voodoo Jive The Best Of (Rhino R2 70947)
1991 Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Black Music For White People (Bizarre Planet BP 40102 2)
1998 Screamin' Jay Hawkins - At Last (US Last Call VE 15008-2)
2000 Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Spells & Potions (SMDCD 294)
2010 Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You The Best Of (Camden 88697695782)
2013 Screamin' Jay Hawkins - The Singles Collection (NOT2CD498)
