Right Place Wrong Time

Zoo Freaks, your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning the funky vibes of "Right Place, Wrong Time" by Dr. John from his 1973 album In the Right Place. This track, a high-water mark for New Orleans music, hit #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a true collaborative gem. The song’s iconic lyric, “just need a little brain salad surgery,” inspired the title of Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s 1973 album, though Dr. John noted he never got acknowledgment from the band. According to his autobiography, Bob Dylan contributed the line “I was on the right trip, but it must have been the wrong car,” while Bette Midler added “My head was in a bad place, I don’t know what it’s there for,” and Texas legend Doug Sahm chipped in too. Dr. John claimed the daring line about “the right vein, must have been the wrong arm” was his own, reflecting his gritty life experiences.

The song’s funky alchemy came together with Allen Toussaint’s production and the tight grooves of The Meters, who brought New Orleans soul to the forefront. A happy accident occurred during recording when guitarist Leo Nocentelli’s original solo was lost, and session ace David Spinozza stepped in, nailing the solo in one take when he happened to pass by the studio. The track’s cultural reach is massive—it’s been featured in films like Dazed and Confused, Sahara, and TV shows like American Horror Story: Coven and How I Met Your Mother. Dave Matthews Band even covered it in 2019 with Preservation Hall Jazz Band as a tribute to Dr. John after his passing.

Dr. John, born Malcolm John “Mac” Rebennack Jr., was a New Orleans icon whose career spanned six decades. He began in the 1950s as a guitarist and songwriter, playing on hits by legends like Professor Longhair, Art Neville, and Allen Toussaint. By the 1960s, he moved to Los Angeles, working as a session musician for artists like Sonny and Cher and Van Morrison. His breakthrough came in 1968 with his debut album Gris-Gris, where he crafted his “Dr. John The Nite Tripper” persona, blending voodoo mysticism, funk, and Creole roots. This unique sound, rooted in his New Orleans heritage, made him a six-time Grammy winner and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

Stay connected with Dr. John’s legacy through his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at sites like AllMusic for detailed discographies or join communities like the Dr. John Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for the Doctor’s soulful grooves.