The Last Mile

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning "The Last Mile" by Cinderella from their killer album Long Cold Winter, and we’ve got some juicy trivia to share. In a Songfacts interview, frontman Tom Keifer revealed his love for the blues, which heavily influenced this track. He lays down raw, self-confessional lyrics in a Delta blues style, while the band backs him with a gritty British blues sound. You can hear echoes of producer Andy Johns’ work with bands like Bad Company and Free, giving the song that soulful, road-worn vibe. Keifer also flexes his guitar skills with a touch of arpeggio picking in the intro, a technique he was experimenting with during the Long Cold Winter sessions, also popping up in their track "Coming Home". Lyrically, the song captures the exhaustion of life on the road, a theme that hit home for the band during their relentless 254-show tour for the album, including a standout performance at the 1989 Moscow Music Peace Festival alongside legends like Ozzy Osbourne and Bon Jovi.

The song’s raw energy didn’t go unnoticed. It climbed to #36 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in early 1989, making it one of Cinderella’s solid hits. Fans on X still rave about Long Cold Winter, with posts calling it a standout for its bluesy shift from the band’s glam metal roots. One post from 2022 by @RockTheseTweets hailed it as their favorite Cinderella record, noting its #10 peak on the Billboard 200 and triple-platinum status. The track’s mix of heartfelt lyrics and hard-hitting rock makes it a perfect fit for our free-spirited Zoo Freaks, so keep those dials locked on THE ZOO!

Now, let’s rewind to how Cinderella got rolling. Formed in 1983 in the suburbs of Philadelphia, the band was sparked by singer-songwriter Tom Keifer and bassist Eric Brittingham. The duo started jamming in local clubs, joined by guitarist Michael Schermick and drummer Tony Destra. By 1985, Schermick and Destra split to form Britny Fox, and Cinderella brought in guitarist Jeff LaBar and drummer Jim Drnec, with session drummer Jody Cortez laying down tracks for their debut album, Night Songs. Their big break came when Jon Bon Jovi caught their set at the Empire Rock Club in Philly and pushed his A&R rep, Derek Shulman, to check them out. Though Kiss bassist Gene Simmons also tried to get them a deal with PolyGram, it was Bon Jovi’s nudge that landed Cinderella a contract with Mercury Records. Their 1986 debut, Night Songs, hit #3 on the Billboard 200, and their bluesy swagger set them apart from the glam metal pack.

Want to keep up with Cinderella? Check out their official website for the latest on Tom Keifer’s solo work and band updates. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for news and throwback vibes. Fans are keeping the flame alive at sites like Heavy Harmonies, a hub for Cinderella discography details, and on Facebook groups like the Tom Keifer/Cinderella Fan Group, where Zoo Freaks can connect with fellow diehards. So, crank up "The Last Mile" and let’s keep rockin’ the airwaves!