Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Jalacy J. Hawkins' wild songs and onstage theatrics of his self-created brand of voodoo jive earned him the name Screamin' Jay Hawkins. His act has often featured him emerging from a casket to sing his best-known hit, "I put a spell on you" (1956), carrying a skull smoking a cigarette (you know smoking's bad for you, look at Henry...). Other novelties, ranging from "Feast of the Mau Mau" to "Constipation blues" (1967), may have stereotyped his talent, but on the other hand, his idiosyncracies have brought him TV and movie appearances that would have eluded him had he played his music straight. Regardless of style, Hawkins's recordings still display a remarkable voice, which would have been used for opera had Screamin' Jay had his way.

Sweet Daddy Hawk died on 12 February 2000 at the age of 70.

Read a great interview with Screamin' Jay Hawkins! (thanks to Trevor Cajiao from Now Dig This)

Sign guestbook [defunct] - - View old guestbook

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Gallery

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  Screamin' Jay Hawkins in the early days

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  Screamin' Jay Hawkins on 31 July 1994 live in Berlin. - Photo: Stefan Müller

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  Screamin' Jay Hawkins in 1996 at the Chicago Blues Festival

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  Screamin' Jay Hawkins in 1996 at a festival in France

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  Screamin' Jay Hawkins on the cover of the CD AT LAST (1998). - Photo: Vincent Lignier

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  Screamin' Jay Hawkins photo session for the CD AT LAST (1998). - Photos: Vincent Lignier

Weblinks

• Jayskids.com - this site says to search for the about 57 children of Screamin' Jay Hawkins...
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Volker Stieber) - extensive biography with many quotes and album covers
• Voodoo Café : a tiny room of Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Screamin' Jay Hawkins tribute in Japanese
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins : Singles / Albums / Compilations (Wangdangdula.com / Pete Hoppula) - discography
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Tom Simon) - short biography
• Name: Jay Hawkins - short biography

minor sites

• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Wilson and Alroy's record reviews)
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Yahoo Music) - biography, discography, sound clips
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (UBL) - Biography, discography
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Last Call Records) - biography
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (CD Universe) - with many sound clips in RealAudio format
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (CD Now) - with some music clips in Real Audio and/or MPEG
• Blues diary 2003 - something in Japanese
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins : I put a spell on you - biography and album reviews in Norwegian
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Myspace.com)

Music

• Screamin' Jay Hawkins: FRENZY / STONE CRAZY - both albums complete in Real Audio
• The Big Black Hole : Michael Roberts' jukebox - feat. sound clips of "I put a spell on you" and "Little demon" in .AIFF format