Hey Hey My My

The Zoo Crew is spinning the heavy metal anthem "Hey Hey My My" by Axel Rudi Pell from the 2014 album Into The Storm, and the Zoo Freaks are surely headbanging to its powerful riffs. This track is a cover of Neil Young's classic, reimagined as a hard rock ballad with a twist. According to a review from Sleaze Roxx, the song starts and ends as a piano-driven ballad but transforms into a power ballad mid-track, showcasing Pell's ability to blend melodic and heavy elements. The cover surprised some fans, as Pell is known for his original epic compositions, but it was praised for its emotive guitar solo, with Blabbermouth.net noting it as one of Pell's most heartfelt performances on the album. Interestingly, the song's arrangement includes strings and replaces Young's acoustic guitar with piano, giving it a distinct hard rock flavor while staying true to the "rock and roll can never die" ethos, as highlighted in a Hardforce.com review.

Another tidbit about "Hey Hey My My" comes from its production details. According to Discogs, the track was published by Silver Fiddle Music and Melodie Der Welt, with vocals recorded separately at "The Box" studio, while drums and violin were laid down at Twilight Hall Studios. This meticulous recording process reflects Pell's dedication to crafting a polished sound. While specific interviews about this song are scarce, Pell's general approach to covers is well-documented. He released an entire covers album, Diamonds Unlocked, in 2007, showing his knack for reinterpreting diverse songs, from Leonard Cohen to Blackmore’s Night. Fans on the Axel Rudi Pell Official Facebook page often praise his covers, with some noting that his version of "Hey Hey My My" introduced them to Neil Young's original, sparking discussions in fan communities like the Encyclopaedia Metallum.

Axel Rudi Pell, born June 27, 1960, in Germany, began his musical journey as a hard rock guitarist with the band Steeler in 1984. According to his biography on his official website and Wikipedia, Pell released four albums with Steeler before embarking on a solo career in 1988. His early influences included Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, which shaped his melodic yet powerful guitar style. Pell's solo debut in 1989 featured vocalist Charlie Huhn and drummer Jörg Michael, marking the start of a prolific career. Over the years, he collaborated with notable musicians like Johnny Gioeli, who joined in 1998 and remains his longest-serving vocalist, and drummers Mike Terrana and Bobby Rondinelli. Pell's music often revolves around a "Knight in shining armor" theme, with each album telling new adventure stories, as noted in his Metal Storm biography.

Pell's rise to prominence wasn't just about studio work; his live performances cemented his status in the heavy metal scene. His biography on Metal Storm highlights his extensive touring, particularly in Germany, and his multiple appearances at Wacken Open Air since 1999. A notable moment came in 2009 when Ronnie James Dio praised Pell’s band as an opening act for Heaven & Hell, saying, “You’ve got the job because you’re good,” as shared on Pell’s official site. Today, fans can connect with Pell through his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where he shares tour updates and album news. Fan communities thrive on platforms like Encyclopaedia Metallum and Metal Storm, where Zoo Freaks and metalheads alike discuss his discography and share concert experiences.