From the Desk of CLASSICKONG | WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting
Happy Halloween, Everybody!
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Well, well, well! We’ve finally made it, friends! HALLOWEEN IS HERE!
The jack-o’-lanterns are glowing, the werewolves are howling, the vampires are getting dressed for dinner, and somewhere in a dark old castle, somebody is playing a pipe organ who probably hasn’t paid an electric bill in 200 years!
And here at WTSG-DB, we’re throwing open the doors for a very special Halloween edition of This Day in Music History!
Today we’re celebrating the music that made us dance, gave us goosebumps, and occasionally scared the living daylights out of us!
We’ve got KISS, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Blue Öyster Cult, Alice Cooper, Michael Jackson, Fastway, Iced Earth, Duran Duran, and some of the greatest monsters ever to grace the silver screen.
And don’t worry about CLASSICKONG. He isn’t afraid of monsters.
HE IS ONE!
But tonight, everybody’s invited. Vampires, werewolves, mummies, zombies, and even that strange fellow who keeps hanging around the cemetery with a shovel.
Pull up a chair, grab your favorite Halloween treat, and turn up the music.
WELCOME TO THE WTSG-DB HALLOWEEN MONSTER BALL!
Happy Halloween and a Salute to Service
Before we get started, a heartfelt salute to the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, our veterans, first responders, and everyone working to keep our communities safe.
While the rest of us are enjoying Halloween parties, handing out candy, or watching our favorite scary movies, many of you are standing watch.
Thank you for your service and dedication.
And to everyone celebrating tonight, please look out for the little ghosts and goblins roaming the neighborhoods. Keep those roads safe!
Happy Halloween from all of us at WTSG-DB!
October 31, 1975 — Queen Releases Bohemian Rhapsody
Imagine releasing one of the most unusual and ambitious singles in rock history on Halloween!
That’s exactly what Queen did on October 31, 1975.
Written by Freddie Mercury, “Bohemian Rhapsody” defied practically every convention of commercial radio.
Nearly six minutes long, with no traditional chorus, the song moves from a gentle piano ballad into an elaborate operatic section before exploding into hard rock.
And somehow, it all works!
Producer Roy Thomas Baker and the band created an extraordinary recording through painstaking studio work, layered vocals, and elaborate arrangements.
The song spent nine consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the United Kingdom and became one of Queen’s defining achievements.
Of course, it appeared on the magnificent A Night at the Opera, released later in November 1975.
And here’s something to think about: Halloween gave us a song featuring thunderbolts, lightning, and one of the most dramatic operatic passages ever heard on a rock record.
Coincidence?
Maybe.
But I wouldn’t argue with Freddie Mercury!
Must-Have Discogs: A Night at the Opera (1975), EMI Records / Elektra Records.
October 31, 1998 — KISS Opens the Psycho Circus Tour
Now THIS is how you celebrate Halloween!
On October 31, 1998, KISS opened its Psycho Circus World Tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Think about that for a moment.
Halloween night.
KISS in full makeup.
Explosions, smoke, towering stage effects, screaming guitars, and thousands of fans celebrating with the world’s most famous rock ‘n’ roll monsters!
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss were together again following the enormously successful reunion era.
The tour promoted Psycho Circus, released in September 1998, and introduced an ambitious 3D visual experience for concertgoers.
Fans received special glasses to experience parts of the production.
As if KISS wasn’t already larger than life!
Can you imagine heading out on Halloween night to see KISS?
Forget trick-or-treating, buddy. That’s the ultimate Halloween treat!
Must-Have Discogs: Psycho Circus (1998), Mercury Records.
October 31, 1970 — Led Zeppelin III Tops the American Album Chart
Let’s change gears for a moment.
On October 31, 1970, Led Zeppelin’s third studio album, Led Zeppelin III, reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.
Released earlier that month, the record revealed another side of one of rock’s most powerful bands.
Yes, there was plenty of electricity.
Just listen to the thunderous opening of “Immigrant Song.”
But there was also a remarkable acoustic dimension, with songs like “That’s the Way,” “Tangerine,” and “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp.”
Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham demonstrated that Led Zeppelin was far more than a heavy blues-rock band.
They were musicians willing to explore folk, acoustic arrangements, and new musical territory.
And let’s not forget that unforgettable rotating-wheel album cover!
Must-Have Discogs: Led Zeppelin III (1970), Atlantic Records.
October 31, 1964 — The Supremes Take Baby Love to No. 1
Not everything on Halloween needs to be frightening!
On October 31, 1964, the Supremes reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Baby Love.”
Written and produced by the legendary Holland–Dozier–Holland team, the song became the group’s second consecutive chart-topper.
Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard helped define the sound of Motown during one of popular music’s most exciting eras.
“Baby Love” has that unmistakable combination of rhythm, melody, and vocal charm that makes a record timeless.
More than six decades later, it’s still a radio staple.
And that’s the beauty of great music. It doesn’t have an expiration date.
Must-Have Discogs: Where Did Our Love Go (1964), Motown Records.
The Original Monsters — Before Rock and Roll Got Scary
Before Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, or heavy-metal horror albums, there were the original masters of the macabre.
And friends, nobody did it quite like the classic monsters of the silver screen.
Bela Lugosi gave us his unforgettable portrayal of Count Dracula in 1931.
Boris Karloff brought Frankenstein’s creature to life that same year, then terrified audiences again in The Mummy in 1932.
Lon Chaney Jr. became the tragic, terrifying Wolf Man in 1941.
And let’s not forget his father, Lon Chaney Sr., the legendary Man of a Thousand Faces, whose portrayal of the Phantom in the silent classic The Phantom of the Opera (1925) remains extraordinary.
These performers created memorable characters through acting, makeup, atmosphere, and imagination.
They didn’t need modern computer effects.
A shadow across a wall, a creaking door, or a pair of eyes staring through the darkness could be enough to send audiences running for the exits!
And those classic monsters would go on to influence generations of musicians.
Which brings us to one of Halloween’s greatest novelty records.
Bobby Boris Pickett — The Monster Mash
In 1962, Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers released “Monster Mash.”
And Halloween parties have never been quite the same!
Pickett developed his famous monster voice through an impression inspired by Boris Karloff.
The record combines the early-1960s dance-craze phenomenon with a wonderfully silly gathering of creatures from classic horror movies.
The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1962.
And more than sixty years later, it’s still one of the most recognizable Halloween records ever made.
There’s something wonderfully timeless about it.
The music is catchy, the premise is ridiculous, and everybody knows exactly what season it is when the record starts playing.
Even the monsters apparently need a good dance party once in a while!
Must-Have Discogs: The Original Monster Mash (1962), Garpax Records.
Vincent Price — The Voice That Haunted Rock and Roll
Now here’s one of my favorite musical connections.
But first, for our younger readers and listeners, let me introduce you to a gentleman named Vincent Price.
Born May 27, 1911, Price was an American actor whose remarkable career spanned theater, radio, television, and motion pictures.
Although he appeared in many different kinds of productions, he became especially famous for his sophisticated, often sinister performances in classic horror films such as House of Wax (1953), House on Haunted Hill (1959), and The Pit and the Pendulum (1961).
He wasn’t your typical screaming, snarling movie monster.
Price could frighten an audience with a raised eyebrow, a sly smile, or simply the sound of his voice.
And WHAT a voice!
Deep, theatrical, elegant, and just a little unsettling.
The kind of voice that could make somebody reading the evening weather forecast sound like they were announcing the end of civilization!
HAHAHAHA!
But Price wasn’t simply one of cinema’s great horror performers.
He also became part of two remarkable recordings by two very different musical artists.
In 1975, Price appeared on Alice Cooper’s Welcome to My Nightmare, providing a theatrical spoken introduction to “The Black Widow.”
Alice had already established himself as rock’s master of theatrical shock and spectacle.
But Price brought something special to the recording.
That wonderfully distinctive voice could make even an ordinary sentence sound like an invitation to spend the night in a haunted mansion.
Seven years later, Price would lend his voice to another Halloween masterpiece.
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Released on Jackson’s 1982 album of the same name, “Thriller” combined Rod Temperton’s songwriting, Quincy Jones’s production, Jackson’s extraordinary performance, and Price’s unforgettable spoken contribution.
The accompanying short film, directed by John Landis, became a landmark in music-video history.
And there it was.
One legendary horror actor connecting Alice Cooper’s theatrical rock world with Michael Jackson’s pop masterpiece.
Different styles. Different audiences. Different generations.
But the same unmistakable voice.
That’s the kind of musical history I love!
Must-Have Discogs:
- Welcome to My Nightmare — Alice Cooper (1975), Atlantic Records.
- Thriller — Michael Jackson (1982), Epic Records.
Blue Öyster Cult — The Perfect Soundtrack for Halloween
If ever there was a band whose music belonged on a Halloween playlist, it’s Blue Öyster Cult.
Sure, everybody knows “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” from the 1976 album Agents of Fortune.
But there’s so much more to explore.
How about “Nosferatu” from Spectres (1977)?
Or “Joan Crawford,” “Veteran of the Psychic Wars,” and “Godzilla”?
Blue Öyster Cult has always had a remarkable talent for combining intelligent songwriting, mysterious imagery, memorable guitar work, and just enough darkness to make things interesting.
And speaking of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” there’s a wonderful connection to John Carpenter’s original Halloween from 1978.
Remember the scene where Laurie Strode and her friend Annie are riding around Haddonfield?
Annie is smoking marijuana, and the girls suddenly spot Annie’s father, Sheriff Leigh Brackett!
Uh-oh!
Time to hide the evidence, roll down the windows, and pretend everything is perfectly normal!
ROFLMAO!
And Blue Öyster Cult’s haunting classic is heard during that car sequence.
It’s a terrific example of how a familiar rock song can add atmosphere to a horror film.
The movie’s chilling original score is legendary, but hearing a popular radio record in an ordinary teenage setting makes the danger feel that much closer to home.
And somewhere in Haddonfield, Michael Myers is probably wondering why nobody seems to notice him!
Must-Have Discogs:
- Agents of Fortune (1976), Columbia Records.
- Spectres (1977), Columbia Records.
- Fire of Unknown Origin (1981), Columbia Records.
Fastway — Forty Years of Trick or Treat
Now let’s turn up the volume!
1986 gave us Trick or Treat, the heavy-metal horror movie featuring music by Fastway.
And in 2026, we’re celebrating its 40th anniversary!
Fastway was formed by guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke, formerly of Motörhead, and featured the powerful vocals of Dave King.
The soundtrack delivered exactly the kind of hard-driving rock that a movie about a supernatural heavy-metal performer needed.
Songs like “Trick or Treat,” “After Midnight,” and “Stand Up” capture the spirit of 1980s hard rock beautifully.
And the movie itself featured appearances by Gene Simmons of KISS and Ozzy Osbourne.
How’s THAT for a Halloween lineup?
The film follows a teenage metal fan who becomes entangled in a supernatural nightmare involving his deceased rock idol.
It’s pure 1980s heavy-metal horror.
Big hair, loud guitars, outrageous characters, and a story that could only have come from that decade!
And here’s another interesting connection: Dave King would later become the lead singer of the Celtic punk band Flogging Molly.
Talk about musical versatility!
Must-Have Discogs: Trick or Treat — Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1986), Columbia Records.
Iced Earth — Horror Show Brings the Monsters Back
If you’re a fan of the classic horror characters, Iced Earth’s Horror Show is an album that deserves attention.
Released in 2001 on Century Media Records, the album takes inspiration from horror literature, film, and legendary fictional characters.
And the track listing reads like a trip through a haunted castle.
We’ve got “Wolf,” “Dracula,” “Frankenstein,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” and “Im-Ho-Tep (Pharaoh’s Curse).”
The album combines powerful metal arrangements with dark storytelling and dramatic atmosphere.
What makes it particularly appropriate for Halloween is the way it draws on characters that have fascinated audiences for generations.
Those old monsters never really disappeared.
They simply found new places to live.
Sometimes on movie screens.
Sometimes in books.
And sometimes through a wall of distorted guitars!
Must-Have Discogs: Horror Show (2001), Century Media Records.
Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie — Masters of Rock and Roll Horror
When it comes to combining rock music with horror imagery, few performers have embraced the concept as enthusiastically as Alice Cooper.
From Welcome to My Nightmare to “I Love the Dead,” “Steven,” “Feed My Frankenstein,” and “He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask),” Alice turned theatrical horror into a rock ‘n’ roll art form.
And let’s not forget that “He’s Back” was associated with Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives in 1986.
Talk about a match made in a cemetery!
Then there’s Rob Zombie, whose music and visual style draw heavily on vintage horror movies, exploitation cinema, and monster culture.
His 1998 solo album Hellbilly Deluxe delivered “Dragula,” “Living Dead Girl,” and “Superbeast.”
And here’s a fun piece of television trivia.
The name “Dragula” comes from the drag-racing coffin car associated with Grandpa Munster on the classic television series The Munsters.
HAHAHAHA!
From the family-friendly monsters of 1960s television to the industrial-metal sound of Rob Zombie, those spooky influences keep finding their way into popular music.
Must-Have Discogs:
- Welcome to My Nightmare — Alice Cooper (1975), Atlantic Records.
- Constrictor — Alice Cooper (1986), MCA Records.
- Hellbilly Deluxe — Rob Zombie (1998), Geffen Records.
Duran Duran — Danse Macabre and the Ultimate Halloween Party
And just when you thought Halloween belonged exclusively to heavy metal and horror rock, along came Duran Duran!
On October 27, 2023, the band released Danse Macabre, a Halloween-themed album inspired by a special concert in Las Vegas on October 31, 2022.
What began as a seasonal performance developed into an entire studio project.
The album features original material, reworked Duran Duran songs, and covers selected for their dark, mysterious atmosphere.
Among the highlights are “Danse Macabre,” “Nightboat,” “Secret Oktober 31st,” “Psycho Killer,” “Supernature,” and “Spellbound.”
The project also reunited the band with former members Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo on selected recordings.
It’s a fascinating blend of gothic atmosphere, electronic music, dance rhythms, and theatrical imagination.
And it proves that Halloween music doesn’t have to be heavy metal.
Sometimes the creepiest atmosphere comes from a synthesizer, a haunting melody, and a little imagination.
Must-Have Discogs: Danse Macabre (2023), Tape Modern / BMG.
Black Sabbath — When Heavy Metal Became Frightening
Let’s travel back to 1970.
Rain falls.
Thunder rumbles.
A church bell begins to toll.
And then comes one of the most ominous guitar riffs ever recorded.
Black Sabbath.
The opening track of the band’s self-titled debut album remains one of heavy metal’s defining moments.
Tony Iommi’s guitar, Geezer Butler’s bass, Bill Ward’s drums, and Ozzy Osbourne’s haunting vocals created an atmosphere unlike much of the popular music being recorded at the time.
It wasn’t simply loud.
It was unsettling.
And that was part of its power.
More than half a century later, the opening of “Black Sabbath” can still make a room feel a little colder.
Must-Have Discogs: Black Sabbath (1970), Vertigo Records / Warner Bros. Records.
The Halloween Playlist — More Songs from the Crypt
Of course, we couldn’t possibly celebrate Halloween without tipping our hats to a few more favorites.
Warren Zevon — “Werewolves of London” (1978)
A wonderfully witty rock classic with one of the most recognizable piano introductions in popular music.
Ozzy Osbourne — “Bark at the Moon” (1983)
A ferocious heavy-metal favorite with a werewolf-inspired music video.
The Edgar Winter Group — “Frankenstein” (1973)
A brilliant instrumental rock performance with a title that couldn’t be more appropriate for Halloween.
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins — “I Put a Spell on You” (1956)
A wildly theatrical recording that helped establish the connection between rock ‘n’ roll and horror-show presentation.
Ray Parker Jr. — “Ghostbusters” (1984)
One of the most recognizable movie themes of the 1980s.
Rockwell — “Somebody’s Watching Me” (1984)
A wonderfully paranoid pop record featuring Michael Jackson on the chorus.
Oingo Boingo — “Dead Man’s Party” (1985)
Danny Elfman and company deliver a song practically made for an unusual Halloween gathering.
Concrete Blonde — “Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)” (1990)
A dark, atmospheric rock recording inspired by vampire imagery.
And let’s not forget the haunting music of John Carpenter’s Halloween and Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, whose opening passage became forever associated with The Exorcist.
Sometimes a few simple piano notes are more frightening than an entire orchestra.
Must-Have Discogs:
- Excitable Boy — Warren Zevon (1978), Asylum Records.
- Bark at the Moon — Ozzy Osbourne (1983), Epic Records.
- They Only Come Out at Night — Edgar Winter Group (1972), Epic Records.
- Dead Man’s Party — Oingo Boingo (1985), MCA Records.
- Bloodletting — Concrete Blonde (1990), I.R.S. Records.
- Tubular Bells — Mike Oldfield (1973), Virgin Records.
Halloween Birthdays — Born to Rock on October 31
And before we close the crypt, let’s celebrate a few musicians who share their birthdays with Halloween!
Russ Ballard — Born October 31, 1945
Singer, guitarist, and songwriter whose work with Argent and as a solo artist helped produce some unforgettable rock songs.
His compositions include “Since You Been Gone,” made famous by Rainbow, and “New York Groove,” which became a signature solo hit for Ace Frehley.
Bernard Edwards — October 31, 1952 – April 18, 1996
The extraordinary bassist, songwriter, and producer best remembered for his work with Nile Rodgers in CHIC.
His bass playing on records like “Good Times” helped influence generations of musicians.
Larry Mullen Jr. — Born October 31, 1961
Founding drummer of U2 and a major part of the band’s distinctive rhythmic sound.
Mikkey Dee — Born October 31, 1963
One of hard rock and heavy metal’s great drummers, known for his work with King Diamond, Motörhead, and Scorpions.
Johnny Marr — Born October 31, 1963
The influential guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with the Smiths and his distinctive guitar arrangements.
And a special nod to jazz saxophone legend Illinois Jacquet, born October 31, 1922, whose explosive playing helped shape the sound of jazz and early rhythm and blues.
Happy birthday to all our Halloween musicians!
Final Spin — The Monsters Never Really Leave
You know, friends, after spending today with all these wonderful songs, albums, and legendary creatures, I think there’s something worth remembering.
Music and monsters have been keeping each other alive for generations.
Long after the theater lights went out and the old castle doors closed, those monsters found another home.
In our record collections.
On our radios.
And in the imaginations of musicians who grew up loving them just as much as we did.
And isn’t that something?
A frightening face on a movie screen can stay with us for decades. But add the right music, and suddenly that memory becomes unforgettable.
Sometimes all it takes is a few notes from a piano, a haunting guitar riff, or a voice coming out of the darkness.
And just like that, we’re kids again, sitting in front of the television, wondering whether we should turn on another light!
HAHAHAHA!
Maybe that’s what makes these old monsters so special.
They never really die. They just keep finding new ways to entertain us.
And thanks to the music, they’ll be haunting our imaginations for generations to come.
Well, friends, I hope we’ve given you some good ideas for some great Halloween music today, without scaring you too much!
And who knows? Maybe we’ve reminded you of a favorite old record or scary movie you haven’t enjoyed in years.
Now, before we close the crypt for another Halloween, I’ve got two questions for you.
What’s YOUR favorite Halloween song or album? And what’s YOUR favorite scary movie of all time?
Drop us a comment below and share your favorites with the WTSG-DB family. We’d love to hear from you!
And as for tonight?
Well, friends, go ahead and turn down the lights. Put on your favorite scary record. Enjoy a good old-fashioned monster movie.
And when it’s time for bed, don’t forget to lock the doors.
Although, come to think of it…
If the monster is already inside the house, I don’t suppose that’s going to help much, is it?
HAHAHAHA!
And that’s gonna do it for today, friends. Hopefully I’ve maybe put a smile on your face, and a song in your heart. Take care of yourselves, help others when you can, and always, always, keep the music playing.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM CLASSICKONG AND EVERYBODY AT WTSG-DB!
GREAT MUSIC. GREAT RADIO. GREAT COMMUNITY.
Listen to Today’s Broadcast/Podcast
The WTSG-DB Halloween Special — October 31, 2026
Enjoyed the show? Follow WTSG-DB on Spotify for more episodes of This Day in Music History and help us keep the music playing!
References and Further Listening
- Queen — Official Website
- KISS — Official Website
- Led Zeppelin — Official Website
- Motown Museum
- Blue Öyster Cult — Official Website
- Alice Cooper — Official Website
- Duran Duran — Official Website
- Discogs — Music Releases and Collector Information
- Billboard — Music Charts and History
WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting — Great Music. Great Radio. Great Community.
