Summer of '69

The Zoo Crew is spinning Summer of '69 by Buckcherry, a high-energy cover from their 2023 album Vol. 10, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This track, originally by Bryan Adams, was included as a bonus on the album, but it’s no throwaway. In an interview with Blabbermouth.net, frontman Josh Todd shared that the band occasionally played the song live when they were exhausted and wanted a fun cover to energize the crowd. Their manager caught one of these performances and insisted they record it, saying, “You guys do this so good. We’ve gotta record this song.” Todd, a huge Bryan Adams fan, noted they sped up the tempo and gave it a glam-metal edge, making it distinctly Buckcherry while respecting the original’s anthemic vibe.

The music video for Summer of '69, directed by Mike Watts and Tom Flynn, offers a glimpse into Buckcherry’s life on the road. Shot in Detroit and at Summerfest in Milwaukee, it captures the gritty, party-driven spirit of their tours. According to Sonic Perspectives, the video showcases a day in the life of a touring rock band, blending live footage with candid moments. Fans on Buckcherry’s Facebook page have praised the cover for its heavier, rawer take, though some, as noted in a Sleaze Roxx review, prefer Adams’ classic. The song’s placement as the album’s closer was strategic, ending Vol. 10 on a rocking note rather than the slower ballad Pain.

Buckcherry formed in Anaheim, California, in 1995, born from a shared love of AC/DC and gritty rock. Josh Todd, the band’s charismatic frontman, grew up in Anaheim Hills and later Lake Forest, cutting his teeth in the Hollywood glam scene with a band called Slamhound. He met lead guitarist Keith Nelson through their tattoo artist, Kevin Quinn, and their chemistry sparked the creation of Buckcherry. Their name, a playful nod to a drag queen acquaintance named Buck Cherry (a riff on Chuck Berry), set the tone for their irreverent style. Their 1999 self-titled debut, featuring hits like Lit Up, went gold, marking DreamWorks’ first gold album. Despite a breakup in 2002, Todd and Nelson reformed the band in 2005 with new members, releasing the commercially successful 15, which included Crazy Bitch and Sorry.

Over the years, Buckcherry has built a reputation for their raw, unapologetic sound and relentless touring, sharing stages with legends like Mötley Crüe and KISS. Their tenth album, Vol. 10, produced by Marti Frederiksen at Sienna Studios in Nashville, reflects their enduring commitment to hard rock with no filler. Fans can connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and behind-the-scenes content. For deeper fan engagement, check out the Buckcherry Fan Group on Facebook, a lively community of supporters sharing concert stories and merch hauls. The Sleaze Roxx website also keeps the flame alive with reviews and news for Buckcherry devotees.