Rockabilly pioneer known for his energetic stage performances and hits like "Haunted House" and "Percolator".
Jumpin' Gene Simmons, born Morris Eugene Simmons, is best known for his 1964 novelty single "Haunted House," which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a staple of the early rock 'n' roll era. This Mississippi-born singer-songwriter's contribution to the music world extends far beyond this spooky hit, with a career spanning decades, multiple labels, and encounters with some of the biggest names in the industry.
Simmons' musical journey began in the late 1950s, when he started performing as an opening act for Elvis Presley, a fellow Sun Records artist. In 1956, he signed with Sun Records, but his early recordings failed to make an impact. Despite this, Simmons continued to hone his craft, eventually landing a spot on Hi Records, where he would find success.
In 1964, Simmons' fortunes changed with the release of "Haunted House," a cover of Johnny Fuller's 1958 recording. The song's eerie atmosphere, coupled with Simmons' distinctive voice, made it an instant hit, reaching the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This success led to Simmons becoming one of the earliest and most prominent artists on Hi Records, which would go on to release his subsequent recordings.
Throughout his career, Simmons worked with numerous notable artists, including Elvis Presley, with whom he appeared in the 1962 film "Fun in Acapulco." He also collaborated with other Hi Records artists, as well as country music legend Tim McGraw, co-writing the hit single "Indian Outlaw" in 1994. Simmons' influence can be seen in the many artists who have covered his work, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Ace Cannon, and Brian Setzer.
In recognition of his contributions to rock 'n' roll, Simmons' Hi Records recordings were released as an anthology, "Haunted House: The Complete Jumpin' Gene Simmons on Hi Records," in 2001. Sun Records followed suit in 2006 with the 33-song collection "Drinkin' Wine: The Sun Years, Plus." Simmons passed away on August 29, 2006, but his legacy lives on through his music and the many artists he inspired, including KISS bassist Gene Simmons, who adopted his stage name as a tribute to the singer.
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Rockabilly pioneer and guitarist known for his energetic stage performances and hits like "Be-Bop-A-Lula"
