Screamin' Jay Hawkins- "I Put a Spell On You" (Merv Griffin Show 1966)
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- Опубликовано: 14 апр 2012
- This is the earliest known footage of Screamin' Jay performing his hit song "I Put a Spell On You." Merv Griffin had over 5000 guests appear on his show from 1963-1986. Footage from the Merv Griffin Show is available for licensing to all forms of media through Reelin' In The Years Productions. www.reelinintheyears.com.
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I was the guitarist for Screamin Jay Hawkins back in the 1970's.
While I still have a memory. I wanted to post what it was like
performing and touring with Screamin' Jay Hawkins During the 1970’s Mike
Armando toured extensively with Screamin' Jay Hawkins for three years. He meet
Screamin' Jay after being contacted by music producer / director Robert
Cutarella who at the time worked for MCA Records. Every tour date was a
crazy adventure and that would be an understatement.
I remember we used to practice up in Screamin' Jay’s apartment on the
East Side of New York City on the 27th floor three times a week when we
were in town. One day Jay said to me he was putting his cat out. I said
to Jay, cat out? You have no yard here. He said the cat didn't need a
yard and Jay opened the window on a cold windy NYC day and let the cat
out. I could not believe my eyes as I watched this cat walk around the
whole building on a ledge that must of been less than a foot wide
thinking at any moment this cat was going to be blown off the building
and fall 27 stories. Well the cat made it back into the house after
about an hour walking around the building. There are many other stories
that I cannot mention at this time. My first band rehearsal with
Jay. I knew I was in for one of the craziest journeys of my life. The
drummer August Fesler parked outside Screamin' Jays building the day we
were to rehearse. Another car hit into the drummers car. The noise was
so loud we could hear it from the 27th floor. Jay opened the window and
started screaming “check that car for damage” check that car for damage”
I figured the person who hit the drummers car would not hear him. But
he did. Now I knew this was one of the reasons they called him Screamin'
Jay Hawkins. On my first day of rehearsals I was introduced to some of
the band members. One of the band members was Mario a sax player who
just got out of jail for murdering someone. I started to think what am I
getting myself into here. But once we started playing it was one of the
greatest experience’s and an honor to be backing up this great
performer and legend Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Our first tune was Jays
original “I Put A Spell On You” which was a major hit record for Jay
when Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded it. At another
rehearsal I remember there was a big Beatles fan that lived in the
apartment next door to Screamin' Jay. We were practicing one evening. We
heard this banging on the walls from the next door apartment. Jay told
us to stop playing so we did. Jay stood at the door and when the man
rang the door bell Jay opened the door and asked him what he wanted. The
man said he did not like the music and wanted us to stop. The man came
into the apartment and Jay punched him in the face and the man fell
outside the doorway. The cops were called but he explained that the man
was trying to come into his house so nothing ever came of it except his
neighbor was knocked out on the floor in the hallway. Screamin' Jay was a
fighter before he went into show business so he could handle himself.
When on tour there was craziness everywhere we went I remember. We
were on the same bill with The Critters, the famous 60’s group that had
many hits. Well Jay wanted to change the venue. He wanted the Critters
to go on first instead of us. Well jay started calling the singer all
kinds of names and they had a big fight. So their group gave in after
Jay spoke with the manager and the concert hall people. After the
Critters went on to perform we think someone from their group took all
the tubes out of the PA system and the amps. When we went on stage to
perform we could not play. What a bad night that was. We drove all the
way down south and this happens. So our next gig was just outside
Washington DC at the Virginia Theatre. We were playing on the same bill
as The Five Satins, The Marvelettes and the Velons. Two shows. That
night we were performing one of Screamin' Jays tunes “Bit It”. I was
next to Jay on stage and Jay was trying to hit the smoke bomb box on the
floor of the stage. He kept stepping on it to explode. He put extra
powder into the box just for this show. It would not go off until he
bent down on the floor and hit it with his fist. It exploded in Jays
face and he received first degree burns on his hands and face. We were
still playing and he was on the floor next to me and screamed out to
me,”keep playing, keep playing”. So the band just kept playing. I was
playing a blues and did not know what else to do so we just kept playing
a blues shuffle the audience of 5 thousand people stood up and thought
this was part of the show and was clapping. The ambulance was
called and they had to carry him off the stage. On another gig we were
driving back to NYC at about 4 AM in the morning and Jay stopped at his
sisters house just outside Washington DC. I told Jay that maybe your
sister is sleeping he just proceeded to keep banging on the door. When
his sister answered the door he said. “My band just got though playing
and are tired". Give them something to eat and drink. So his sister did.
She was great to us. On the road back to NYC we had to rush because we
had another performance at Suffolk Community Collage on Long Island that
day with Bobby Lewis on the bill. So we were lost on the road and Jay
was next to me. I was driving, he said stop here on the corner. Ill
asked this guy for directions. Jay was still dressed the way he always
does when he performs. A bone though his nose. A fake snake wrapped
around his neck and a long fur coat. The guy Jay stopped and asked for
directions happened to be black. When Jay asked him how do you get to 95
north where lost. The guy was speechless and scared just looking at jay
all dressed jump like this. Jay yells to him “what’s wrong with you
boy, didn't you ever see a Niger before” We all could not stop laughing.
We ended up finding 95 North back to NYC. I remember driving that early
morning jay kept playing the radio loud so I would not fall a sleep at
the wheel. I was weaving all over the NJ Turnpike because I was so tired
so we stopped at a service stop along the turnpike to get some coffee.
There was no place to park. Jay said to park here
I told Jay I did not want to get a ticket. He said come
out of the car. I did and he put his arm around me. Jay was about 6’6”, I
am 5’6. He put his arm around me and pretended he was handy capped and
could not walk. So he was hanging all over me and I am trying to get him
into the dinner. He wanted all the people in the dinner to see this.
What a show this was and they
did not even have to pay for it. They were looking at all of us very
strange. Another tour date we had in Connecticut this place
happened to be a very upscale place. Everyone was dressed up in suits
and they were older people who looked like they had a lot of money. Just
by looking at them I knew they would not like our music. We got on
stage and our first tune was Constipation Blues. The patrons there were
eating a fancy dinner while we were performing this graphic tune. People
started getting up and leaving there tables in shock. We kept playing
anyway if they liked the music or not or maybe they could not eat
because of the graphic words in Constipation Blues. Who knows and who
cares. We did what we were hired to do and that was perform. I
want to close right now but I cannot put everything into this one
summery of the Hundreds of gigs we did. But I do remember that one day
just before the band split up with Screamin' Jay Hawkins. We were in NYC
in Jays apartment and his manager and booking agency did not have any
work for the next three months so we could not go on because we all
needed to make money and support our families. So the band split. Than
we found out four months later that Screamin' Jay Hawkins was opening up
at Madison Square Garden in NYC for the Rolling Stones. I was shocked
and mad at myself for leaving. But who knew the future back than.
Screamin' Jay went on to live in France where he passed away some years
later. All I can say Screamin' Jay Hawkins always looked out for his
band members. He always paid us good. He never once beat the band out of
any money. He was the greatest and also the craziest but crazy as he
was he had a loving heart for everyone. His music still lives on. R.I.P
Jay. By the way Jay had over 50 kids.
yeah thanks for sharing that.
OH man I just subbed to you, much love for sharing this.
funny thanks
Thanks
Definitely one of the best comments ever posted on RUclips.
Alice Cooper, the misfits,Marylin Manson, the cramps, GWAR, slipknot , King Diamond /merciful fate ....all these bands can be traced back to this one great artist.
And Arthur Brown too, he was the first documented artist to intoduce corpse paint in the 60s
🤣😂
Yes.
Including Parliament Funkedelics (George Clinton).
Facts
I love how he was holding back his laughter.
Wish l could persons face in the audience when he goes to smile.
He almost cracks up during the performance, I heard the people laughing in the audience, he looks like he has a good sense of humor.
TuneTwister Music check him with ODB you'll be amazed the difference e my dear.
Yeah, I saw that! Twice!!
I think that is also because he is in on the joke.. He originally wrote I Put A Spell on you as a love ballad but then the night of the recording the mgr brought a bunch of food and booze and Jay just started going crazy on the song and they kept it and he started performing it that way. Before the song he was just Jay Hawkins, bluesman.. After and forever he was Screamin' Jay Hawkins. RIP.
How could he not?
@@thomasrainbow Ive heard that story too. I heard he passed out and didnt remember recording it. I dont beleive it though. Its too good to have been recorded while that drunk. Maybe he got a bit drunk and decided to do it differently. Or maybe he got black out drunk, recorded it and then re recorded it later. I find it pretty doubtful that he was that drunk when he recorded it though.
I like how at the 2:34 mark he knows damned well how ridiculous the whole thing is and he's like, "fuck it - this is happening and no one's gonna stop me."
Like "I'm making money here, fools!"
@@actionsub I think its healthy to let your craziness out in small controlled doses.
ruclips.net/video/yZgiNuGivNk/видео.html
I think he scared the shit outta some pore person in the front with that blast of smoke. 🤣
He knows, we knows it, and I love it.
His training in opera did him well. No microphones yet his voice cuts throught the mix loud and clear!
Wait, no microphones? So... he performs this live every time I press "play" on the video?
You can just see the shadow of a shotgun mic above Merv when the song closes. They must have had one on Jay, but the pipes that guy has... he was never close mic'd in a video... but you don't hear the room either.
Can we just point out how good he looked in this performance 💯👌
I totally agree.
Have you listened to 9 years old Angelina Jordan performing this song?
I listened to countless versions of this song that has been recorded by more than 200 artists and no one comes close to Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version except this tiny Norwegian girl.
ruclips.net/video/nwFloCPXzCs/видео.html
Yes he did!
Yes, quite dashing
This is the man who invented shock rock.
I'd give credit to Screaming Lord Sutch, too.
Настоящий рок - это всегда шок!
Jon Hoskins: Yeah Alice Cooper owes him his schtich.
Thank you, you are very correct :)
More like theatrical rock. He reminds me of George Clinton, especially when he laughed as people got scared and screamed
Say what you want after seeing this performance...this shit stands the test of time.
How did I not know about this man? That was batshit crazy in the best possible way.
The greatest entertainer in all times. still listening in 2025🖤
Are you from the future??
I'm right behind you in 2065!
"It's an oldie ... well, it's an oldie where I came from.
I guess you're not ready for this, but your kids are gonna love it."
Steven B2 mc fly
Married 6 times and had over 33 kids, he put a spell on somebody😂😂😂
When he passed away, over 500 women came forward and claimed they had his child, out of those, 11 were confirmed. He had 1000s of women, and was not dishonest about it. Yet women lined up for him.
@@chiaberg1055 Bro 1000??? No.
Well, duh... He wrote the song that's the symbol of seduction, so... :D
@@ninaj6051 🤣
God bless he passed on those epic voice genes
I saw him break character for just a second and nearly laugh!
+Joyce Baskind I feel like he scared a kid in the audience or maybe someone was just laughing their ass off. He definitely was choking down a smile.
+Joyce Baskind 2:34
+Martinus And 2:58. ;)
Joyce Baskind that was the best omg that was amazing
Joyce Baskind he laughed cuz he scared the audience. Lol
This artist never thought this song will be one of the best songs ever in rock history , Nina Simone, CCR are one of the many musicians that make this song cover great and more famous.
Screaming Jay seems to be looking at a particular audience member and cracks up both times
Lockemeister there's only one thing you just can't help.yourself, just laugh at the mentally but all jackass.
Jay actually started out at a classical musician and was briefly an opera singer. He was very talented.
Apparently he also put a spell on quite a few ladies, he died with over 70 children spread out across the US. (true)
Quel talent, j'adore sa voix, son humour. Quel showman !!!👏👏👏👏👏👏
Had the great pleasure of seeing this man live in 1958 at Boston Arena. What a crazy showman.
+Richard Smith Can you please share more? I have never heard of him until today when I was doing research on this song. I thought this was original sung by Nina Simone. Haha! I learned something new today!
Alice Cooper was the Jay Hawkins of the 70s, if you know what I mean. Screamin Jay was the original Shock Rocker. He paved the way for guys like Alice Cooper, or David Bowie, or Freddie Mercury in that he was the first to infuse Rock and Roll with Theater.
Show me the proof, LIAR
I met Screamin' Jay when he played in Australia in the 1980s. He was a great performer and a true gentleman.
It takes a lot of humour and blessed craziness to pull off a performance like this one. I absolutely love his version of this song and his performances.
When you get past the crazieness, he had a great voice.
1 Tambourine, 1 cape, 1 skull staff = $30
Scaring the shit out of a nation full of white people in 1966 = Priceless
😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Plus one smoke bomb…
And the hand!
😭😭😭😭😭😭
i love it that he couldn't keep a straight face. that just made it that much better.
This man used the fear whites had of blacks, in an artistic way. He put it out on front street. At the same time, he expressed his individual self. Upfront, bold, and unique. Look beyond what he's doing.
Darling, i'm just sufering about the cat. My god! O hope he was ok. Tve cat 😺🙈
The old racist term was "spook"; somehow I think Jay would have embraced it!
@Kenni Saun Well, I just came to say how I'm (at least, for now) quite anti having children myself, but I'd let him back then make me a baby, as he was famous for. :D haahahahaha
EXACTLY! He REALLY was something else, huh! I'm glad you're hip! Be blessed and safe! 👍👍❤️🙏
Lol what a load of BS
One of the most fantastic and outrageous performers of ALL time.
a genius frontman who had the most unorthodox style ....
a fucking legend of legends!...
This performance is extraordinary!..
The original shock-rocker. Nothing new under the sun, as they say.
This song is the reason he got the name "Screamin' Jay Hawkins". I love it!
Yes, I remember watching him on Merv Griffin when I was 12 years old...I played the cornet and always liked jazz/independent music...
Love Screamin' Jay! Nobody can do this song like him. LOVE this.
Thanks for posting.
what a wild man!!!! the energy!!! and the insanity!! wonderful
What a great voice. So cool. Back in the 60s amazing.
Damn that was creative
Damn!!!! I laughed out loud like a little girl ))))) And he rocks!!!! I'm speechless even though i'm typing!! This is amazing!! Now i understand who's the real influence for guys like King Diamond and Alice Cooper !!!! This took place in the 60s!!!!! WOOOW!!!
Jay Hawkins ROCKS
He recorded this song in 1956 I believe. Screamin' Jay was a fabulous singer. What a personality.
The regular saxophone player in the Merv Griffin Band was Plas Johnson who played on the original LP record of Screamin' Jay doing this tune - and 11 others.
Wow, that is neat.
I love how in that one instance, you can see him crack a smile and break character
2:34 I burst out laughing when he broke character
You are Mclovin'
Screamin' Jay was one of my Fathers best friends. Tree Top and he performed together for a short time. I wish I could have been there! The art of screaming and hollering is so rare and unknown to most. It is the oldest form of communication known to exist. Screamin' Jay, and Tree Top were so talented beyond their time, and I am so thankful for them. Jume 16th is National Hollerin' Day! Scream for Jay! And all those who have screamed before!
Loved Screamin' Jay and that vocal style since I first heard him. Not familiar with Tree Top but searching
Have you listened to 9 years old Angelina Jordan performing this song?
I listened to countless versions of this song that has been recorded by more than 200 artists and no one comes close to Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version except this tiny Norwegian girl.
ruclips.net/video/nwFloCPXzCs/видео.html
I'm speechless! She's amazing! 🙏💫
Tree Top was a national hollering champion in "78. He would sporadically perform with Jay when Jay was in Seattle. I'm not sure how they met. My father was known as, " the psychedelic yodeler. " 🙏
@@chiaberg1055 indeed she is. That was her own arrangement. She just turned 16 years old last January. She auditioned for Norway got talent when she was 7 and won by a landslide. Major music labels as well as Disney offered her very lucrative contracts but they were all turned down in order for her to finish her education and to protect her artistic integrity while she is developing. In 2020 she signed with Republic Records as their highest priority new artist on condition that she will be allowed to finish her schooling before being heavily promoted. Quincy Jones said that she is the best young talent that he has seen since Michael Jackson and personally invited her to perform at his 85th birthday celebration in London O2 Arena.
The band in the video that you watched fondly call her “The Boss”. Here is a jam session with the same band playing Hawkins Portrait of a Man which she changed to Portrait of a Child. ruclips.net/video/SAkZDAXJA4E/видео.html
If you want to know how she sounds today listen to her Adele’s cover of Easy on Me ruclips.net/video/Mpw5Q76hWWE/видео.html or her original 7th Heaven ruclips.net/video/9rLiWvwzbCA/видео.html
Thank you for reading and watching.
I love how he broke loose a couple times during this. He must have thought beforehand, let's see how far I can take this on national tv, well, maybe not too far, I guess I'll leave the nose bone at home. lol
This is what keeps me feeling alive! Real Music!
I opened for this crazy son of gun in the late 80's. A true madman and genius.
Oh my god what an amazing clip! He was one of the most unique, astonishing performers ever to grace the stage..
Fascinating cat, that Screaming Jay.
This song make you want to dance in the dark.
Haha I thought I was the only one! :D
No love you not the only one haha!
+1
pfft... after this song, every light in the house is on
Yes daddy!
GENIUS
l am 66yrs old wish l had heard and watched him during his career. Found this recording in error looking for other recording.
Wow ... he really performed those theatrics on a live tv talk show. Now THAT'S courage.
Powerful voice
Merv, gracias por regalarnos unos precios minutos! Es un placer recordar a Jay en una de sus mejores canciones!!
I saw him play in NYC...
About 1970...
What a voice
Considering that his songs were banned by radio stations in the fifties, I imagine SJH was amazed that they would ask him to perform on a mainstream network TV show. He was probably amazed that Merv even knew who he was.
In The 1950's Screamin' Jay Hawkins Was Brought Out In A Coffin and Would Sing " I Put A Spell On You" From the Coffin
There is absolutely no reason for the audio to sound this good, but it makes me very happy.
U can tell he's got a great voice
What a showman , what an entertainer , what a voice Love this cat!!!! Oh the 60's !!!!!!!!
Mike Arando, I can't wait to read your book, "I Put a Spell on You." I was impressed when you said that Screamin' Jay paid his band members well and always looked out for them, even the alleged murderer he brought back into the band. You don't find good band leaders like this everywhere. Thanks for putting it all down - best comment I've ever read on RUclips!
I used to play this on our local radio station quite regularly... Fantastic song... great pipes to !!
I never took this song literally until i saw this
Thank Mr. Armando for your memories of life with Jay. My friends mused at what it would like to have him as a father.
Best male singer of all time in my opinion
He'll live forever in the heart of good people. Than S.J.H.!
Please watch a tribute to Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Angelina Jordan - I Put A Spell On You
ruclips.net/video/nwFloCPXzCs/видео.html
He was a entertainer and very handsome
THE ARTISTICS PHENOMEN...LIGHT LOVE AND CONSCIOUSNESS...
I seen Screamin Jay back in the early seventies that are rock and roll show at the Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles California
The grandfather of Shock Rock.
His live vocals are as good as on the familiar 45 record. Not many singers can say that.
Always a GREAT pleasure to remember!!
"He used to be Whisperin Jack Smith" LMAO
2:33 😂 the break n character is everything
I see some people don't, but I love it when he breaks the first time, and then gets back right away.
I love this stuff, original Rock n Roll!
One word for Jay:LEGEND!!
Powerful voice. He could have been Opera singer.
FNartleb He was a opera singer
I swear to GAWD, I actually remember seeing SJH perform this act on Merv Griffin. All these years have passed and I remembered that creeping hand on the stage after SJ took his bows.
I grew up on Merv Griffin. LOVED HIM and his guests. The best! Dick Cavett, Mike Douglas, but Merv WAS show biz. I wish I had been a few yrs older and they showed old movies on tv. I would have enjoyed it even more. As if, I never missed a show!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
I love how he chuckled at the end
This is freakin awesome love him
I read a great indie comic in Creepy about the progression of horror in music, and he was one of the firsts! His creativity was before his time!
2024 and I've now found the origin of the "I put a spell on you" song. I had to look it up cause of Hocus Pocus. I LOVE this so much.
His voice is amazing, proper bel canto almost operatic, then really gospel/blues screamer...
fantastic...
2019 still loving the spell screaming J!♡!♡!♡Because your mine.......
The original metal rock artist
Awesome! I played that song for years with only the cover of the LP to go by...
So this was really educating :) thanks!
Hell yeah! Talk about showmanship!
One of the best
WOW, thank you for posting
Ich bin wie immer hin und weg... Kunst kommt von Können:-)
what a VOICE!
My relationship with bacon graphically portrayed
Hmn I wonder what he really thought of the persona he had created. It seems to be making fun of the audience and its prejudices.
+lebarosky Absolutely right.
The author Nick Tosches wrote about him and said that he had his moments where he felt his act held him back, kept him from doing other things he wanted to do...he said that Hollywood wanted to make him a black Vincent Price....he once said that "James Brown did an awful lot of screaming, but he didn't become Screaming James Brown"
This is truly some crazy ass shit. love it.
I love the fact that he can't remain serious for too long. xD
this is some really funny stuff, and a very good song too.
Amazing performance!!!
absolute gold.... shows what total SHIT our "music" is today compared to this perfection
the i hate my own generation bullshit
He is SO cool! 💪
I love it. Superb!!!!
I don't know Black Magic, but I'm going to learn. And Screamin' Jay Hawkins is going to teach me!
I remember seeing this show and my family and I loved this.
This is what I call a performance.
Bad ass beyond words!
that was amazing, notice how even when we stepped off stage, his energy still took over that show..
he made everyone left on that panel look ordinary..
simpy outstaning performance... show me a better live performance on merv griffen that year.. I dare ya..
Man no kidding, he sure does a lot of screaming!!