Haunted House

Album: Jumpin' Gene Simmons (1964)
Charted: 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jumpin' Gene Simmons was the lead singer of the Bill Black Combo in the early '60s (not to be confused with the schoolteacher-turned-KISS member of the '70s, '80s, and '90s).
  • When Hi Records attempted to get Domingo Samudio (later better known at Sam the Sham) to re-record his "Haunted House" (he recorded it for Dingo Records), Simmons volunteered to do the job.
  • Simmons attributed the success of this to the overexposure of British acts on the radio. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brad Wind - Miami, FL

Comments: 11

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1969 {November 2nd} the Compton Brothers' covered version of "Haunted House" peaked at #11 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles* chart...
    "Haunted House" reached #3 on the Canadian RPM Singles Tracks chart..
    "Haunted House" was the duo's highest-peaking record on the Hot Country Singles chart, between 1966 and 1975 the St. Louis, Missouri natives had fifteen records on the Hot Country Singles chart...
    Their other Top 20 record, "Charlie Brown" {#16 in 1970}...
    * And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the Hot Country Singles' Top 10 on November 2nd, 1969:
    At #1. "To See An Angel Cry" by Conway Twitty
    #2. "Okie From Muskogee" by Merle Haggard & the Strangers
    #3. "She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye" by Jerry Lee Lewis
    #4. "I Rather Be Gone" by Hank Williams, Jr.
    #5. "Since I Met You Baby" by Sonny James
    #6. "The Ways To Love A Man" by Tammy Wynette
    #7. "Such A Fool" by Roy Drusky
    #8. "Sweet Thang and Cisco" by Nat Stuckey
    #9. "Try A Little Kindness" by Glen Campbell
    #10. "I'd Still Be Missing You" by Warner Mack
  • Wilson from ChicagoWhich month did it record i wonder.
  • Brenda Curtis from Edenton,nc27932I don't know who Wayne in Gulfport . Miss. ex father-in-law was but he is not the one who played on the Haunted House with Gene Simmons Though he is correct about the money. Glen Curtis from Blytheville , Arkansas played bass on the Haunted House with Gene. The last time Gene was in Blytheville he was at the
    Ramada Inn in Blytheville with his then girlfriend Ruth Buzzi and Glen went out to see him. Just wanted to clear that up.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 9th 1965, Jumpin' Gene Simmons performed "Haunted House" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Five months earlier on August 8th, 1964 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on September 20th, 1964 it peaked at #11 (for 1 week) and also spent 11 weeks on the Top 100...
    On the same 'Bandstand' appearance he performed his only other Top 100 entry, "The Dodo", it stayed on the Top 100 for three weeks, peaking at position #83...
    He co-composed Tim McGraw's 1994 #8 Country hit, "Indian Outlaw"...
    R.I.P. Mr. Simmons, born Morris Eugene Simmons, (1933 - 2006).
  • Wayne from Gulfport, MsMy ex father in law played bass on the recording. He was offered a piece of the profits or just his regular $50 studio pay. He opted for the studio pay and still regrets it.
  • Tim from Cary, Ncdoes anybody else hear him say.."the grease was melting in my hand...instead of "pan"....love the song......I just always hear that
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyJust missed making the Top Ten, peaking at #11. Had only one other record to make the Top 100, "Dodo", which peaked at #83!!!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyThis song was performed by Bruce Springsteen during 'The River' tour on October 31st, 1980 in Los Angeles, CA. It was a Halloween show and Bruce was carried onstage in a coffin.
  • Chuck Celaya from Chicago, IlI could'nt find this song for the longest time, thank you for making my day-month-year!. Just can't get the song out of my head.
  • Farrah from Elon, NcA classic!!! If you like novelty tunes that are hilarious, this is the song for you.
  • Steve from Salt Lake City, UtAin't no HAIN'T gonna scare me off !

    Gotta love it baby !
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.