Murder In The First Degree

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hard-hitting track "Murder In The First Degree" by Chrissy Steele from her debut album Magnet to Steele, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This song, a standout on the 1991 album, is a high-energy melodic hard rock anthem that showcases Steele’s powerful vocals and the late Brian MacLeod’s searing guitar work. One juicy piece of trivia is that "Murder In The First Degree" was part of an album originally intended as a Headpins project, but due to MacLeod’s battle with cancer and label disputes, it was released under Steele’s name as a solo effort. The track’s gritty lyrics and driving rhythm made it a fan favorite, with some reviewers comparing Steele’s vocal delivery to rock icons like Ann Wilson and Lee Aaron, especially for its raw, gut-wrenching intensity.

Another interesting tidbit comes from the recording process, which took place in a unique setting—Brian MacLeod’s mobile studio on his yacht, the Grand Marnier, docked at Vancouver’s Granville Island. As shared in a bio on Steele’s official website, the album was crafted amidst MacLeod’s terminal illness, adding an emotional weight to tracks like "Murder In The First Degree." Fans on the Chrissy Steele Facebook page have posted about how the song’s aggressive vibe and catchy hooks still resonate, with one fan calling it “a perfect blend of 80s glam metal and 90s edge.” While Steele hasn’t shared direct quotes about this specific track in recent interviews, her Instagram posts often reflect on her rock roots, hinting at the passion she poured into songs like this during her early career.

Chrissy Steele, born Christina Southern, kicked off her musical journey in Comox, British Columbia, where she grew up singing classical and folk music. According to her bio on Wikipedia, she performed in choirs and operas as a young girl in Comox and later in Victoria. At 19, she moved to Vancouver to pursue a professional singing career but initially struggled with the confidence to front a band. Returning to Victoria, she answered a newspaper ad in 1984 to join her first band, Room Service, which gave her a foothold in the local rock scene. Steele honed her stage presence performing in rock clubs and even appeared on the televised CBC competition Rock Wars, as noted on Last.fm. A year later, she joined the hard rock band Reform School, solidifying her reputation as a dynamic frontwoman.

Steele’s big break came in 1989 when Brian MacLeod, formerly of Headpins and Chilliwack, invited her to join a revamped Headpins lineup after Darby Mills’ departure. As detailed on CanadianBands.com, MacLeod saw her potential and shifted gears to produce a new album with Steele, which became Magnet to Steele. Signed to Chrysalis Records with a multi-million-dollar deal, Steele toured with big names like Bryan Adams and Jethro Tull, as mentioned in her website bio. Despite the album’s promise, the rise of grunge and MacLeod’s passing in 1992 stalled her momentum. Today, she’s active again, collaborating with Harlequin’s Glen Willows and her brother Bryan Southern, as shared on her X account.

Fans can connect with Steele through her official channels: her website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. The Chrissy Steele Facebook page is a hub for fans, with posts celebrating her music and sharing updates about new releases like her 2021 single “Insidious.” There’s also a fan-run YouTube channel dedicated to her music videos and live performances, where Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into her catalog. While no official fan websites or dedicated Facebook groups were found, the Last.fm community and Sleaze Roxx reviews keep the conversation alive, praising Steele’s enduring impact in melodic hard rock.