The years of 1987 and 1988 were the peak of Freddymania, when the awesomeness of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS, released in February of 1987, paved the way for A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER to become the most financially successful film in the franchise (until the crossover FREDDY VS. JASON) in August of 1988. Freddy Krueger was a pop culture icon warmly embraced by the MTV generation… so what do you do with the slasher who, unlike his contemporaries Jason, Michael, and Leatherface, has the ability to speak? Of course, you give him a music deal.
Even casual NIGHTMARE fans are likely aware that Freddy (a.k.a. Robert Englund) makes a rapping appearance on the 1988 The Fat Boys song "Are You Ready for Freddy", but you have to be a bit more hardcore to remember that an entire album of Freddy tunes was released in 1987. The album was called FREDDY'S GREATEST HITS, and the songs were performed by The Elm Street Group, featuring Englund as Freddy.
Over the last thirty years, that album has faded into obscurity, but now Strange Disc Records and Mondo are teaming up for a special edition vinyl re-issue of FREDDY'S GREATEST HITS, pressed on "Freddy Sweater" striped vinyl and limited to 400 copies worldwide.
This record contains nine tracks, a mix of covers (from the likes of Wilson Pickett, The Everly Brothers, Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs) and original songs and instrumentals. The album is everything you except it to be: screaming '80s drum machines and distortion filled electric guitars being drowned out by synthesizers. Over the top of these songs is Robert Englund doing the voice (and manic laugh) of Freddy Krueger. The actual music-making was done by the Elm Street Group, who were much respected studio musicians working for RIC records. Featuring artists like Kevin Kelly and Alan Brewer who both contributed to Rick Wakeman’s soundtrack for THE BURNING."
Mondo begins taking pre-orders today. The vinyl is set to cost $25 and is expected to ship out in January.
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