Defenders of the Flag

Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is spinning a gem tonight with Defenders of the Flag by Bruce Hornsby & The Range from their 1988 album Scenes From the Southside. This track, penned by Bruce and his brother John Hornsby, is a sharp, satirical jab at societal hypocrisy, wrapped in that signature Virginia sound blending rock, jazz, and bluegrass. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of corrupt leaders—captains, priests, and judges—failing their duties while “faded old glory hangs like a rag.” According to a 1988 interview in Rolling Stone, Bruce described the song as a commentary on the moral decay he observed in small-town America, inspired by real-life scandals in his native Williamsburg, Virginia. He noted the song’s snarky tone was meant to “sting a little” without preaching, letting the imagery do the heavy lifting.

Another tidbit comes from a 2019 post on the fan-run Bruce Hornsby Fans Facebook group, where a longtime Zoo Freak shared a memory of hearing Defenders of the Flag live during the Scenes From the Southside tour in Orlando. Bruce reportedly introduced the song with a quip about “folks in high places who love their wine a bit too much,” earning a roar from the crowd. Setlist.fm confirms the song debuted live on June 25, 1988, at Buckeye Lake Music Center in Ohio and was last played by Bruce solo in 2021 at Fort Lauderdale’s Parker Playhouse, showing its enduring bite. The Bruce Hornsby Forum also buzzed in 2020 when a fan posted a rare radio promo clip from 1988, where Bruce called the song “a little jab at the good ol’ boys who let power go to their heads.”

Bruce Hornsby’s journey to this sound started in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he was born on November 23, 1954, to a musical family. His mother Lois played piano, and his father Robert was a former musician turned attorney. Bruce picked up the piano early, influenced by classical, jazz, and his older brother Bobby’s Grateful Dead obsession. After a year at the University of Richmond, he honed his chops at Berklee College of Music for two semesters before earning a degree from the University of Miami in 1977. Back in Williamsburg, he played local bars until 1980, when he and his songwriting brother John moved to Los Angeles. There, Bruce worked as a session musician and staff songwriter at 20th Century Fox Records, even catching the ear of Michael McDonald.

By 1982, Bruce joined Ambrosia for their final album and toured with Sheena Easton, appearing in her Strut video. But his big break came when he formed The Range in 1984 with guitarist David Mansfield, bassist Joe Puerta, guitarist George Marinelli, and drummer John Molo. Huey Lewis championed their demos, leading to a 1985 RCA deal. Their debut The Way It Is in 1986, with its chart-topping title track, blended heartland rock and adult contemporary, earning a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1987. Bruce’s improvisational style, rooted in his jazz and jam band influences, set him apart, and his later work with the Grateful Dead from 1990 to 1992 cemented his rep as a musical chameleon.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Bruce at his official website, where he posts tour dates and news about his latest album, Flicted. Follow him on Facebook for live performance clips, or check out his Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots of his piano and dulcimer sessions. On X, he shares thoughts on music and occasional throwbacks to his Range days. For deeper dives, join the Bruce Hornsby Fans Facebook group or hit up the Bruce Hornsby Forum, where fans swap setlists, rare recordings, and stories about catching Bruce’s legendary live jams. Spin on, Zoo Freaks!