Misty Mountain Hop

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin the vibrant cover of Misty Mountain Hop by 4 Non Blondes, a track from their 1995 single release. This song, a bold reimagining of Led Zeppelin’s classic from their untitled fourth album, showcases the band’s alternative rock flair. One intriguing piece of trivia comes from a 2011 blog post on Reading Between the Grooves, which notes that the song kicks off with a nod to another Zeppelin tune, Black Dog, before diving into its signature electric piano riff. The post suggests that 4 Non Blondes used a Wurlitzer Electric Piano with tremolo, contrasting with John Paul Jones’ Rhodes Piano in the original, giving their version a distinct texture. This cover, part of the 1995 tribute album Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin, was one of the last recordings by 4 Non Blondes before their breakup, making it a poignant snapshot of their creative peak.

Another tidbit about Misty Mountain Hop highlights its production and personnel. According to Discogs, the track was recorded at Ocean Studio in Burbank, California, with contributions from notable musicians like Dave Navarro on guitar and Michael Sherwood on keyboards. Linda Perry, the band’s powerhouse vocalist, also took on a producer role alongside Navarro, adding her distinctive stamp to the track. The single includes a radio edit and the album version, alongside other tracks like Mary’s House and a cover of Custard Pie by Helmet with David Yow. Despite its energy, the single didn’t chart, as noted in the same blog post, possibly due to the band’s short-lived run. Fans on platforms like hitparade.ch have mixed feelings, with some praising Linda Perry’s commanding vocals while others, less fond of Led Zeppelin covers, found it less engaging.

The story of 4 Non Blondes begins in San Francisco’s vibrant music scene in 1989. According to their Wikipedia page, the band was formed by bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, and drummer Wanda Day, who had been playing together in a previous group. After catching a solo performance by Linda Perry, Hillhouse and Hall were captivated by her voice and invited her to join as lead vocalist. The band’s name came from a memorable encounter in the Bay Area, where a blonde family’s comment about “dirty” food near the band symbolized their outsider status in California’s stereotypical culture. They quickly gained traction in San Francisco’s bar scene, particularly in lesbian bars, building a strong following. By 1991, after a standout performance opening for Primus at the Gavin Convention, they signed with Interscope Records. During pre-production for their debut album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!, Wanda Day was replaced by Dawn Richardson, and Roger Rocha took over from Hall on guitar.

4 Non Blondes skyrocketed to fame with their 1993 hit What’s Up?, which became a global anthem, though it somewhat overshadowed their other work. The band released only one album, which sold 1.5 million copies, and contributed tracks like Bless the Beasts and Children to a Carpenters tribute album and Misty Mountain Hop to the Led Zeppelin tribute. However, tensions arose during the recording of their second album, partly due to Perry’s dissatisfaction with their debut and her openness about her lesbian identity, which clashed with some band members’ comfort levels. The group disbanded in late 1994, and Perry embarked on a successful solo career, later becoming a renowned producer for artists like Christina Aguilera and Pink. For more on 4 Non Blondes, check out their official Wikipedia page, as no dedicated official website exists. Their social media presence is limited, but you can find fan-driven content on Facebook and Instagram under fan tags. On X, fans occasionally share nostalgia posts, and groups like the 4 Non Blondes Fans Facebook Group keep the spirit alive. For fan websites, Last.fm offers a solid hub for music and community discussions.