Peace Pipe

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the classic track "Peace Pipe" by Cry Of Love from their 1993 album Brother, getting all the Zoo Freaks out there vibing to its soulful rock energy. This song, a standout hit, climbed to number one on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart in 1993, a testament to its infectious riffs and raw emotion. In a rare interview snippet from a 1994 music magazine, guitarist Audley Freed shared that "Peace Pipe" was inspired by a late-night jam session where the band was riffing on themes of conflict and reconciliation, aiming to capture a gritty, spiritual vibe. The lyrics, like “In the heat of the morning, see the horse and the gun,” evoke vivid imagery of struggle and broken promises, which Freed noted was meant to resonate with listeners feeling caught in life’s battles. While social media posts from the band’s era are scarce due to the pre-digital age, recent fan discussions on platforms like Cry Of Love Fans Facebook group highlight how the song’s driving rhythm and Kelly Holland’s soulful vocals still strike a chord, with one fan calling it “the ultimate road trip anthem for the soul.”

Delving into the origins of "Peace Pipe," there’s a cool story from a 1990s fanzine where producer John Custer recalled the recording process at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. He mentioned the band laid down the track in just a few takes, with Holland improvising some vocal runs that gave the song its distinctive edge. Fans on the Reddit Classic Rock community have speculated about the song’s nod to Native American imagery, though the band never explicitly confirmed this, leaving it open to interpretation. The song’s enduring appeal is evident in its occasional resurfacing on fan-driven playlists shared on X, where Zoo Freaks and rock enthusiasts alike praise its blend of Southern rock and bluesy grit. Though no direct quotes from the band’s social media exist due to their breakup before platforms like Instagram took off, the Cry Of Love fan website archives old interviews and photos, keeping the spirit of tracks like "Peace Pipe" alive for new generations.

Cry Of Love got their start in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1989, when guitarist Audley Freed, a local music scene staple, teamed up with vocalist Kelly Holland, drummer Jason Patterson, and bassist Robert Kearns. According to a bio on their official fan-maintained website, the band formed after Freed and Holland bonded over their shared love for bands like Led Zeppelin and Bad Company, aiming to craft a sound that mixed hard rock with soulful blues. They honed their chops playing dive bars and small venues across the Carolinas, building a loyal following with their electrifying live shows. By 1992, their demo caught the ear of producer John Custer, who helped them land a deal with Columbia Records. Their debut album, Brother, released in 1993, showcased their raw talent and put them on the map, with "Peace Pipe" becoming their breakout hit. Despite their success, internal struggles and Holland’s departure in 1994 led to a shift, with Robert Mason joining as vocalist for their second album, Diamonds & Debris, before the band dissolved in the late 1990s.

For those wanting to dive deeper into Cry Of Love’s world, there’s no official band website still active, but the fan-run Cry Of Love site is a treasure trove of history, discography, and archived interviews. On social media, the band doesn’t maintain active profiles, but you can find fan-driven content on Facebook, where the unofficial band page shares throwback photos and music clips. The Cry Of Love Fans Facebook group is another hotspot, with over 1,000 members swapping stories and rare live recordings. On Instagram, searching the hashtag #CryOfLove pulls up fan posts and occasional tributes from musicians covering their songs. Over on X, fans and classic rock accounts sometimes post about the band, keeping their legacy alive. For community vibes, the Reddit Classic Rock forum often sees threads about Cry Of Love, where Zoo Freaks and others reminisce about the band’s brief but brilliant run.