(The Crazy World of) Arthur Brown's hit, "Fire," TERRIFIED me. Seriously, every time I'd hear the opening bit, "I AM THE GOD OF HELL FIRE, and I give you FIRE!" come screaming out of my speakers, I'd rush to turn off the radio.

Look, it WAS the mid '70s, and being an easily creeped out kid who loved R&B like Coasters and Bo Diddley, I think I kinda believed Arthur Brown WAS indeed the god of hell fire! And I felt, if I let the song play, he and his big CREEPY voice would come after ME! Eventually, I got over being freaked out as his caterwauling was just rock theatrics (RIGHT!?). I'm glad I never saw clips of him performing; I'm sure seeing him in his spooky face paint and ring-of-fire helmet woulda sealed it for me. Now, of course, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown is one of my favorite '60s albums. The A-side is wicked psychedelic concerto of swirling Hammond organ, thundering drums, and Mr. Brown's big, BAD voice! It's an album I spin at LEAST once a week.