Screamin' Jay Hawkins (1929-2000) was a pioneering rock and roll artist known for his wild, theatrical performances and distinctive vocal style that helped define the genre in the 1950s. Rising to fame with his 1956 hit "I Put a Spell on You," Hawkins became a legend for his outrageous stage presence, which included emerging from a coffin and performing with a skull-topped cane. His fearless approach to music and performance left an indelible mark on rock and roll history, influencing generations of artists who followed.
