Enough Is Enough

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Enough Is Enough" by April Wine, a high-energy track from their 1982 album Power Play, and the Zoo Freaks are sure to be rocking out. This song, a standout from the album, climbed to #50 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending eight weeks on the chart, and hit the Top 10 in Canada, showcasing the band’s knack for crafting catchy, hard-hitting rock anthems. A music video was produced for the single, a notable effort for the era, helping to boost its visibility on early MTV. Interestingly, the album Power Play, while not matching the massive success of its predecessor The Nature of the Beast, still achieved platinum status in Canada, driven by the strength of tracks like "Enough Is Enough." In a reflective quote from lead singer Myles Goodwyn, shared in his 2016 autobiography Just Between You and Me, he admitted to writing “godawful crap” at times, but fans and critics alike agree this song was far from that, capturing the band’s raw energy and tight musicianship.

Another tidbit about "Enough Is Enough" ties to its place in April Wine’s grueling touring schedule. The early 1980s were intense for the band, with relentless performances alongside giants like Rush, Styx, and Journey. The song’s driving rhythm and bold lyrics, penned by Goodwyn, reflect the band’s mindset at the time—pushing through exhaustion and personal tensions, as the years of constant touring began to wear on them. By the time Power Play was released, the band was on the cusp of a hiatus, making the song’s title almost prophetic. Fans on the April Wine Facebook page often share stories of seeing the band perform this track live during their 1982 tour, with some recalling Goodwyn’s commanding stage presence as he belted out the chorus. The April Wine Fan Club on Facebook is a great spot for Zoo Freaks to dive deeper into these memories, where devotees post vintage photos and concert anecdotes.

April Wine got their start in 1969 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when Myles Goodwyn, brothers David and Ritchie Henman, and their cousin Jim Henman came together to form a band. They chose the name “April Wine” simply because they liked its poetic ring, aiming for something romantic yet ambiguous to avoid being pigeonholed as just another rock act. The group relocated to Montreal in 1970, where they began writing and recording, including music for the play The Lion in Winter. Their debut self-titled album in 1971 featured the minor Canadian hit “Fast Train,” but it was their 1972 album On Record, with hits like “You Could Have Been a Lady,” that started to build their reputation. Goodwyn, the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter, remained the constant force through numerous lineup changes, guiding April Wine from their garage band roots to multi-platinum success in the 1970s and 1980s.

The band’s journey wasn’t without challenges. Goodwyn’s struggles with alcohol, detailed in his autobiography, led to a health scare in 2008 when he collapsed from internal bleeding. After rehab, he continued to lead April Wine until his retirement from touring in 2023 due to diabetes and poor health. He passed away later that year at age 75, leaving a legacy celebrated by inductions into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023. Fans can explore more about the band’s history on their official website, stay updated via their Facebook, follow their Instagram for throwback photos, or check out their X account for occasional updates. For deeper fan engagement, the April Wine Fan Club on Facebook and fan-run sites like aprilwine.ws offer a treasure trove of trivia, discographies, and community discussions for Zoo Freaks to connect over their love for the band.