Bloofer gent: Zacherley
While he began his career as an actor in westerns on a Philadelphia radio station, within just a few years he moved on to host Shock Theater on the same station. It really was the golden era for horror hosts; Vampira is the best known but there were many more. Zacherle's deep-as-the-tomb tones drew people in. Dick Clark - he of American Bandstand fame - dubbed him 'the cool ghoul' and was one of the people who assisted him in cutting his first record, the hit single Dinner With Drac.
When the radio station changed hands, John Zacherle moved on; a TV career in New York lay ahead, as did that Y on the end of his name, as he donned ghoulish makeup to present Zacherley At Large in 1959 and The Zacherley Show in 1959-60, and host Chiller Theater from 1963 to 1965. (As you can see, while his character officially had the first name of Roland, this bloody behemoth of broadcasting had become famous enough to use a mononym - well, if it's good enough for Frankenstein or Dracula...)
That might not seem like a long period bringing terrifying thrills to the masses, but a succession of novelty records, including the albums Spook Along With Zacherley, Monster Mash and Scary Tales, all released between 1960 and 1963, ensured his smoothly sepulchral tones sent shivers down the spine every Halloween. The albums were even rereleased this century. And in the 1980s, John Zacherle had small parts in some cult classic horror films - you'll hear him providing the voice for a parasite in Brain Damage, and he pops up as the weatherman in Frankenhooker (a guilty pleasure of mine, I admit).
John Zacherle passed away in 2016, but thanks to his music, every Halloween we will hear that delightfully evil laugh, those midnight-dark tones, once more. Who wouldn't want to be his Coolest Little Monster?
For providing the soundtrack to all our most special moments, John Zacherle, Zacherley, Roland - whatever you wish to be called - we salute you!
Comments
Post a Comment