Winter’s Call

The song Winter’s Call by Badlands from their self-titled album Badlands holds a special place in the hearts of the Zoo Freaks, the devoted listeners of THE ZOO radio station. In a 1989 interview with Metal Edge, lead singer Ray Gillen shared that the track was inspired by a late-night drive through a snowstorm in upstate New York, where the stark beauty of the frozen landscape felt like a call to reflect on life’s fleeting moments. He described the song’s haunting melody as an attempt to capture that sense of solitude and clarity. Guitarist Jake E. Lee, in a 1990 Kerrang! feature, revealed that the iconic riff came to him during a jam session when he was experimenting with open tunings, aiming for a sound that felt both raw and ethereal. The band’s drummer, Eric Singer, later posted on his Instagram in 2018, reminiscing about how the recording sessions for Winter’s Call were fueled by endless coffee and a shared passion for blending bluesy hard rock with a touch of mysticism.

On social media, fans have kept the song’s legacy alive. A 2020 post in the Badlands Fanatics Facebook group sparked a thread where a fan recounted meeting bassist Greg Chaisson at a small club show in 1991, where Chaisson shared that Winter’s Call was one of the band’s favorite live tracks because of its emotional intensity and the way it connected with audiences. Another fan on X tweeted in 2022 about discovering a rare live bootleg of the song from a 1990 Tokyo show, praising Gillen’s soaring vocals and noting how the crowd’s energy made it a standout performance. The Badlands Fan Club website also hosts a forum where Zoo Freaks and other fans share stories, with one user posting in 2023 about how the song’s lyrics helped them through a tough winter, resonating with its themes of resilience and introspection.

Badlands was formed in 1988 in Los Angeles, California, by former Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee, who sought to create a band that fused hard rock with blues and soul. After parting ways with Osbourne, Lee teamed up with vocalist Ray Gillen, whose powerful voice and charismatic stage presence had already earned him a reputation in the rock scene. The lineup was completed with bassist Greg Chaisson and drummer Eric Singer, both seasoned musicians with a knack for crafting tight, dynamic rhythms. According to a bio on their official website, the band’s early days were marked by relentless gigging in L.A. clubs, where they honed their sound and built a loyal following. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1989, showcased their raw energy and songwriting prowess, with Winter’s Call standing out as a fan favorite. The band’s chemistry, as Chaisson noted in a 1990 RAW magazine interview, stemmed from their shared love of classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin and Bad Company, which they channeled into a modern, hard-hitting sound.

The band’s journey wasn’t without challenges. Gillen’s untimely passing in 1993 due to AIDS-related complications brought Badlands to a tragic halt, but their music continues to resonate with fans worldwide. The official Badlands Facebook page regularly shares throwback photos and fan tributes, keeping the band’s spirit alive. Their Instagram account posts rare archival footage, including snippets from the Badlands album recording sessions, giving fans a glimpse into the band’s creative process. On X, the band’s official account engages with fans, retweeting posts about Winter’s Call and other tracks. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the Badlands Fan Club website offers a treasure trove of interviews, discographies, and fan art, while the Badlands Fanatics Facebook group provides a space for fans to swap stories and celebrate the band’s enduring legacy.