It’s all the action-packed extractions from Action Distractions Vol. 1!
Featuring action hits like Iren Kosters Never Too Young to Die and Urban Shocker’s Action Distraction Theme…Long After Midnight.
Lock and load.
gene simmons
Haunted House
TRACK #144:
Haunted House by Jumpin’ Gene Simmons
Here’s a dusty old ditty that proves folks have been fascinated with Haunted Houses for well over 50 years.
From Jumpin’ Gene Simmons comes this lighthearted tale of terror with an upbeat tempo from 1964. However, this song was originally recorded by Johnny Fuller in 1959. If we’re being honest, we prefer Johnny’s version quite a bit more than Gene’s. It’s faster, more bluesy and Johnny sings the thing with a lot more character. It’s just more fun in Johnny’s hands. Have a listen – you be the judge.
However, we’ve “officially” opted to include Gene’s version on the Shindig for 3 reason:
1. It appears on Elvira’s Haunted Hits (and Vinyl Macabre for that matter)
2. It’s a little more polished and user friendly.
3. KISS’s very own Gene Simmons took his stage name in tribute to Jumpin’ Gene, and that’s pretty great.
Despite starting his career with legendary Sun Records and opening for Elvis Presley, this was Jumpin’ Gene’s only Top 40 hit, and it made it all the way to #11! Not bad for a silly novelty song about a haunted house. I guess people were into that sort of thing back in 1964.
What a world. I can’t picture anything even mildly resembling this song performing as well in 2017.
In fact, check it out at your next Shindig. See how a modern audience reacts to this little rockabilly spookster. My guess? It won’t make it to #11 with any of your guest. But it definitely makes it to at least #144 here on Halloween Shindig.