Screamin' Jay Hawkins

The Profile

American singer and performer known for the theatrical, voodoo-tinged shock-rock persona and the timeless “I Put a Spell on You.” Born in Cleveland in 1929 as Jalacy Hawkins, he fused R&B, blues, and rock’n’roll with macabre stagecraft—coffins, skulls, and wild baritone howls. He died on February 12, 2000 after surgery, and was cremated in Paris.

Signature song: “I Put a Spell on You” (1956). Stage props included a coffin entrance and a skull named Henry. Collaborated live with The Fuzztones in New York (1984), issued as a 1985 EP.

Three enthusiastic reviews trace Screamin' Jay Hawkins’ voodoo-charged R&B and rock’n’roll, centering on his signature “I Put a Spell on You,” his theatrical shock-rock persona, and a 1984 live blast with The Fuzztones. They highlight his deep baritone, macabre humor, and stylistic range from gospel to blues. The write-ups are sympathetic to his legend while praising the music’s raw power.