Loretta Lynn - "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'" (1967)

Happy Friday Friends!

Nurse your hangovers with this great tune by the inimitable Miss Loretta Lynn, the original Coal Miner's Daughter.  (With a special appearance by Bill Monroe on rhythm guitar!)

Bring on the weekend!

Alice Cooper - "Welcome To My Nightmare" (Live 1979)

Happy Halloween Kids!

Watch out for witches!

Yowsa!

Bing Crosby - "The Headless Horseman" (1949)

Hello Friends,

A straight-up vintage Halloween tune right here.

Sing it Bing!

RIP John Zacherle aka "The Cool Ghoul" - "Dinner With Drac" (1958)

Sad News Friends!

John Zacherle, aka The Cool Ghoul, radio D.J. and horror host pioneer won't live to see another Halloween (at least in this world) as he died at the ripe old age of 98 yesterday!

Damn... just three days short of his 98th Halloween!  We're not too upset though... he lived a really long life, never got married and he'll probably be back at some point anyways!

R.I.P. Zach!

Here's a nice article from the AV Club...

Zacherle at work in 1958. (Photo: Robert W. Kelley / Getty Images)

Zacherle at work in 1958. (Photo: Robert W. Kelley / Getty Images)

Halloween just got a little less spooky, as Philly Voice reports that John Zacherle, who paved the way for horror hosts from Svengoolie to Elvira with his pioneering character “Zacharley The Cool Ghoul,” has died. He died yesterday at home in Manhattan. He was 98.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Zacherlle attended the University of Pennsylvania enlisting in the Army during World War II. After returning from duty in Europe and North Africa, he started working in local TV, eventually landing a job as host of Philadelphia’s WCAU’s Shock Theater in 1957. There, he created the character of Roland, an undertaker in a long black coat who introduced—and occasionally interrupted— campy low-budget horror movies in equally campy monologues and skits with his “assistant” Igor, a model that later influenced the creators of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

In 1959, Zacherle moved his act to New York’s WBAC, where he changed the name of his character to Zacherly and officially adopted the nickname “the cool ghoul,” which had been bestowed on him by his friend and colleague Dick Clark back in Philadelphia. He would continue to refine the character throughout the ’60s and ’70s on shows like Chiller Theater, even briefly hosting a hybrid horror/music show called Disc-O-Teen that featured acts like Lovin’ Spoonful, The Young Rascals, and The Doors. In a 2012 interview with The New York Times, Zacherle recalled, “Jim Morrison looked at our weird set and mumbled, ‘This is the damnedest TV show I’ve ever seen.’”

Zacherle’s status as a rock ‘n’ roll tastemaker—he was reportedly a regular at the Fillmore East in the late ’60s—was confirmed by his occasional guest-hosting stints on American Bandstand, a notoriety that led to a career as a rock radio DJ in the ‘70s and ‘80s. He also released a handful of horror-themed novelty songs, the most successful of which, “Dinner With Drac,” was a Top 10 hit in 1958. He also acted in a handful of horror movies, including an uncredited role as the evil, disembodied brain Aylmer in Frank Henenlotter’s 1988 film Brain Damage.

Zacherle never married, and lived alone in his rent-controlled Manhattan apartment until his death. He continued to surround himself with friends and admirers, though, and appeared regularly on the convention circuit well into his 90s. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2010.

The Ramones - "Pet Sematary" (1989)

Its Halloween weekend friends!

And we're getting in the trick or treating mood with this kick-ass Ramones tune which was for the soundtrack of the 1989 movie of the classic Stephen King novel.

I don't want to live my life again...

Horisont - "Writing on the Wall" (2013)

Hello Friends,

We're not sure what they're putting in the water over in Sweden, but we'd like some of whatever it is.

Here's Swedish hardrockers, Horisont, channeling Sabbath, Lizzy, Priest and even a little early Iron Maiden in a sexy video featuring some pukey nuns!

Enjoy!

Ghost - "Square Hammer" (2016)

Hello Friends,

Spooky October evening!  The wind is blowing, leaves are rustling, clowns are hiding beneath the street lamps... We're conjuring up some demons tonight!

Enjoy!

Popestar

Ghost - "Popestar" (2016) - Loma Vista

Hello Friends,

A brand-spanking new EP by Swedish metal band, Ghost-- just in time for Halloween!

Five tracks with one original (the great "Square Hammer") and four relatively pedestrian cover songs including takes on Echo & The Bunnymen ("Nocturnal Me"), Simian Mobile Disco ("I Believe"), The Eurythmics ("Missionary Man") and 80's Swedish pop group, Imperiet ("Bible").

"Square Hammer" makes it worth the price of admission alone with the Echo & The Bunnymen & Eurythmics songs as close runners up.  Overall, a good EP that leans a bit more synthy than the band's usual sound. 





RATING: 4 are you ready to swear right here, right now before the devil out of 5 

The Doors - "Wild Child" (1969)

Hello Friends,

We're not the biggest fans of The Doors here on Vinyl in the Valley, but we really like this video!  Plus the Robbie Krieger guitar work on this track reminded us a little of Tony Iommi's guitar on "Wicked World" from the first Black Sabbath record.

Enjoy!