Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Hawkins in concert, 1995
Background information
Birth nameJalacy J. Hawkins
Also known asJay Hawkins
Born(1929-07-18)July 18, 1929
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
DiedFebruary 12, 2000(2000-02-12) (aged 70)
Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • actor
  • film producer
  • boxer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Years active1951–2000
Labels

Jalacy J. "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins (July 18, 1929 – February 12, 2000) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, film producer, and boxer. Famed chiefly for his powerful, shouting vocal delivery and wildly theatrical performances of songs such as "I Put a Spell on You", he sometimes used macabre props onstage, making him an early pioneer of shock rock. He received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in the 1989 indie film Mystery Train.