Guitar Slingers Song and Dance

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hard-hitting track "Guitar Slingers Song and Dance" by Blackfoot from their 1990 album Medicine Man, and the Zoo Freaks are loving the gritty southern rock vibes. This song, with its raw energy and introspective lyrics, captures the struggles and resilience of a musician's life on the road. One piece of trivia comes from a 1991 interview with frontman Rickey Medlocke in Guitar World, where he shared that the song was inspired by the relentless grind of touring and the disconnect between the audience's perception and the reality of a performer's solitude. He mentioned, "You're up there in the spotlight, but it's just you and your guitar, pouring your soul out, and nobody sees the loneliness backstage." The track's driving rhythm and searing guitar solos, co-written by Medlocke and Doug Bare, reflect that emotional intensity, making it a fan favorite for its authenticity.

Another tidbit about "Guitar Slingers Song and Dance" surfaced in a fan discussion on the Blackfoot Fans Facebook group. A longtime Zoo Freak posted about a 1992 live performance in Jacksonville, Florida, where Medlocke dedicated the song to "every dreamer out there chasing the stage." The fan recalled the crowd erupting as Medlocke played an extended solo, with the band reportedly improvising for nearly ten minutes, a moment that became legendary among attendees. While no official recording of that show exists, the story has been passed down through fan communities, adding to the song's mystique. On Blackfoot’s X account, a 2022 post celebrated the song’s inclusion in the Rattlesnake Rock 'N' Roll: The Best of Blackfoot compilation, noting its enduring appeal to fans who connect with its rebellious spirit.

Blackfoot got their start in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1970, born out of a shared passion for southern rock and hard-hitting riffs. The band’s classic lineup—Rickey Medlocke (guitar/vocals), Charlie Hargrett (guitar), Greg T. Walker (bass), and Jakson Spires (drums)—came together after Medlocke and Walker met Hargrett and New York native Ron Sciabarasi in 1969. Initially called "Fresh Garbage" (inspired by a Spirit song), they played local gigs at Jacksonville’s Comic Book Club. According to a bio on their official Facebook page, the band relocated to Gainesville to become the house band at Dub’s Steer Room, a notorious topless bar, where they honed their raw, high-energy sound. By 1970, after a brief stint as "Hammer," they adopted the name Blackfoot, reflecting the Native American heritage of members like Medlocke (Lakota Sioux and Blackfoot) and Spires (Cheyenne/Cherokee). Their big break came with albums like Strikes (1979), propelled by hits like "Highway Song," cementing their place alongside contemporaries like Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Despite lineup changes and a breakup in 1985, Medlocke revived Blackfoot in 1987, leading to the Medicine Man era that gave us "Guitar Slingers Song and Dance." The band’s journey wasn’t without challenges—Medlocke briefly joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in the early ‘70s and again in 1996, but Blackfoot remained his passion project. Fans can dive deeper into the band’s history on their official website, which includes tour updates and merch. Stay connected with Blackfoot through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share throwback photos and engage with Zoo Freaks. For community vibes, the Blackfoot Fans Facebook group is a hub for sharing memories and rare live footage. Another fan-driven site, blackfoot.rocks, offers a detailed discography and forum for diehard supporters to keep the southern rock flame alive.