Ron Haydock was a multifaceted individual who left a lasting impact on the world of entertainment and publishing. Born on April 17, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, Haydock's early life was marked by a passion for comic books, monster magazines, and creature feature films.
As a teenager, Haydock published his own fan magazines, "Ape" and "Skybird," and wrote for other friends' magazines. His life took a dramatic turn when he saw the film "The Girl Can't Help It," which sparked a lifelong love for rockabilly singer Gene Vincent.
In 1958, Haydock formed his own band, the Boppers, and the group released several singles for the Cha Cha label in 1959. They also appeared on the local TV variety show "Chicago Bandstand."
In 1960, Haydock moved to California, where he became an editor on the "Graveyard Examiner" column for Forrest J. Ackerman's legendary "Famous Monsters of Filmland" horror magazine. The following year, he launched his own horror magazine, "Fantastic Monsters of the Films," and even participated in a spin-off local radio show.
Haydock's writing career also took off during this period, with the publication of his adult novels "The Flesh Peddlers" and "Scarlet Virgin" under the pseudonym Don Sheppard. He made his film debut as heroic state trooper Officer Tracy in Ray Dennis Steckler's "The Thrill Killers."
Haydock's greatest enduring cult popularity came with his portrayal of Lonnie Ford, a rock star who doubles as superhero Rat Pfink in Steckler's "Rat Pfink a Boo Boo." The film's soundtrack features several Haydock songs, including "You Is a Rat Fink," "Runnin' Wild," "I Stand Alone," and "Go Go Party."
Haydock's magazine, "Fantastic Monsters of the Films," folded in 1964, but he continued to write and publish under various pseudonyms, including Vin Saxon. He made a brief appearance as Rat Pfink in Steckler's "The Lemon Grove Kids Meet the Monsters" and went on to record nearly a dozen acoustic demos.
In the early 1970s, Haydock helped research the book "The Great Radio Heroes" for his friend Jim Harmon and wrote a couple of stories for "Creepy" magazine. He also scripted the backs for "Land of the Giants" trading cards.
Haydock's final film appearance was in Steckler's "Blood Shack" in 1971, where he portrayed a vicious sword-wielding psychopath. In 1974, he served as associate editor and key contributing writer for the magazine "Monsters of the Movies," which unfortunately only lasted for a few issues.
Haydock's life was marked by struggles with depression, and he suffered a severe mental breakdown in 1977. Tragically, he was struck and killed by an eighteen-wheeler as he was walking on an exit ramp on Route 66 on August 13, 1977. He was 37 years old.
