Vintage Halloween records: Monster sounds from the 1960s for your creepy playlist

It’s late September as I’m writing this, and I already know what’s coming! On Oct. 1, everyone will be sharing that same old Green Day joke, but honestly? I’ll be completely immersed in Halloween music. I’m already getting ready for spooky season and can’t wait to just listen to all my favorite Halloween tunes!

And I’m not talking about popular Halloween songs like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the “Ghostbusters” theme, or that Lady Gaga song you’ll hear drag queens perform all month long. I’m referring to music specifically *about* spooky creatures – ghosts, monsters, zombies, and the like. It’s often a bit over-the-top, silly, and maybe even a little cheesy. You can find this type of music in the Oldies section of HalloweenRadio.net.

I’m not someone who celebrates Halloween all year round and constantly listens to Walk Among Us. I used to be, but even a lot of Danzig can get tiring. Though I might have a bit too many skull decorations for guests, I’ve managed to stop my apartment from looking like a Hot Topic store’s trash pile.

Vintage Halloween records: Monster sounds from the 1960s

To be honest, I still have a strong fondness for the colors black and orange. And as soon as October arrives, I happily play some of my favorite, quirky Halloween records from the 1960s.

You can put these on in October, whether you’re looking for more songs for your Halloween playlist or just want to create a spooky atmosphere.

Zacherley, Monster Mash (1962)

Finding a record by a horror host is a sure way to have an amazing Halloween. Artists like Tarantula Ghoul, Morgus the Magnificent, Baron Daemon & the Vampires, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, have all released music perfect for the spooky season. I personally enjoy The Cool Ghoul’s Phantasmagorical Funky Fonograf Record, but if you’re looking for the very best? Zacherley is the way to go.

Zach and Vampira were the very first horror hosts, and all subsequent hosts – every mad doctor, late-night witch, and Svengoolie – are indebted to them. Both Vampira and Zach also released music: Vampira collaborated with Satan’s Cheerleaders on the 1987 album I’m Damned.

By then, Zach had already released at least four albums, starting with Spook Along With Zacherley. But honestly, I much prefer Monster Mash. The main reason? It includes “Dinner with Drac,” which was a huge hit – it actually made the Top 10 for the “Cool Ghoul” himself!

Interestingly, RSD Essentials has just revealed a new colorway: a split design featuring purple and green with black splatter. It’s expected to be delivered right around Halloween!

The Ghouls, Dracula’s Deuce (1964)

Here I am, thinking about this with you. It’s interesting to note that the word “deuce” means something quite different now than it did back in 1964, when the Ghouls released this album. When talking about cars, “Deuce” is a nickname for “Deuce Coupe,” which was a 1932 Ford – a popular choice for car enthusiasts who customized their vehicles in the 1960s.

Okay, so this album? It’s all thanks to producer Gary Usher, who was a total legend – he worked with bands like the Beach Boys and the Byrds. He was *really* into customizing cars, and he gathered up an amazing group of studio musicians – the guys known as the Wrecking Crew – at Capitol Studios to make it happen. They were a seriously tight team!

The album features playfully spooky takes on classic songs, like “The Little Old Lady from Transylvania,” “Bela Be Good,” and “Be True to Your Ghoul.” I especially enjoy the original instrumental tracks, which capture the surf and exotic musical styles popular at the time.

Original copies typically cost about $150, but you can find a reissue through Real Gone Music for $24.99. Real Gone Music also has a dedicated Halloween section – it’s worth checking out! Treat yourself to something special.

The Vampires, At The Monster Ball (1964)

Here, “The Vampires” refers to Milton Delugg and his orchestra. Delugg is a bit of a forgotten figure. He was a World War II veteran who then worked in film and radio. He briefly led the band for The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, served as the music director for The Gong Show, and composed many television theme songs. Plus, he created this Halloween record that’s cool, quirky, and a lot of fun.

In a 2011 Blogpost interview (keep in mind this is an older source), At The Monster Ball was originally intended as a standard record for Sonny Lester’s United Artists label. He explained, “Every record company has a [stock] catalogue.”

“I don’t recall [the music], but it probably sounds a little cheesy, right?” Delugg wondered. And it does. The film features somewhat silly imitations of Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, and Peter Lorre, though the music itself is actually quite good. While “The Head Shrinker” might feel a little dated by 2025, the cool, funky guitar work during the Lorre impression is excellent. If Delugg was capable of *this* even when not fully engaged, that’s impressive.

Frankie Stein and His Ghouls, Introducing Frankie Stein and His Ghouls (1964)

In 2017, Dino Stamatopoulos (Moral Orel, Mr. Show, Community) put out a Halloween album on cassette tape called Black & Orange. The second song, “Rahr! Rahr! Rahr! (Backed With Surf Guitar),” explored why monster movies and surf music both became really popular around the start of the 1960s.

Somehow, these two separate ideas were poorly combined, ultimately creating the song “Rahr! Rahr! Rahr! (Backed With Surf Guitar).”

If you need proof of how awesome this season is, check out 1964’s It’s Monster Surfing Time by The Deadly Ones. It’s a great track, for sure. But honestly, I think you *need* to listen to another album from that same year: Introducing Frankie Stein and His Ghouls. I’m telling you, it’s a must-play!

The music is instrumental, offering a more relaxed vibe than most surf rock. It’s categorized by the dances you might do to it-like the Twist, Swim, Frug, and Mashed Potato-but it’s perfect for creating a Halloween atmosphere and really radiates that spooky feeling.

Fortunately, Real Gone Music went to great lengths to secure the rights and has released beautiful reissues of Frankie Stein’s music collection.

Bobby “Boris” Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers, The Original Monster Mash (1962)

Okay, I’ll admit it – I’m a total sucker for the “Monster Mash.” It’s cheesy, maybe even a little silly, but I just love it! And yeah, it’s pretty obvious this whole LP was made because the single blew up, but honestly, it’s still a good record. What really helps is that Bobby Pickett wasn’t just some random guy trying to get rich quick. Sure, he was definitely hoping to become famous and the “Monster Mash” *was* a straight-up attempt to make a lot of money-but Pickett and his band, The Cordials, were actually a pretty solid bar band to begin with.

Without this, the recording wouldn’t be worth much. But instead, it’s actually enjoyable to listen to. You learn about the song “Transylvania Twist,” and also get to hear tracks like “Sinister Stomp,” “Graveyard Shift,” and “Blood Bank Blues.” It’s full of swing, soul, and a whole lot of fun.

Although none of these songs reached the popularity of “Monster Mash,” the album is still enjoyable to listen to.

Happy Halloween!

2025-10-01 16:01