Slow Ride (Live 1977)

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is cranking up the vibes with Foghat’s “Slow Ride (Live 1977)”, a boogie-rock anthem that’s got everyone grooving. This track, recorded at The Dome Center in Henrietta, New York, in May 1977, captures the raw energy of Foghat’s live shows, with its deep-fried guitars and cowbell breakdowns. Drummer Roger Earl once shared in a 2016 Classic Rock interview that the song came together during a jam session with bassist Nick Jameson, who recorded their impromptu riffs on a cassette player. “The whole song was written – the middle part, the bass part, and the ending were all Nick’s ideas,” Earl recalled. The band fought to keep the song’s full eight-minute glory as a single, despite label execs pushing for a shorter cut, insisting, “It’s gonna be the single!” That defiance paid off, as the live version from Foghat Live became their signature track, helping the album hit double platinum and climb to #11 on the Billboard 200.

Another juicy tidbit comes from Earl’s chat with Louder, where he admitted the song’s not-so-subtle theme: “Of course Slow Ride is about sex. All rock’n’roll songs are about sex, aren’t they?” The track’s sleazy slide guitar and Dave Peverett’s urging vocals make that clear, and its enduring appeal landed it as the 45th Best Hard Rock song by VH1 in 2009. Fans on Reddit’s ClassicRock community have shared nostalgic stories, like one user recalling a 1975 contest where schools wrote “Foghat” on 3x5 cards to win a free concert—their Alabama school nabbed third place! The song’s cultural reach also extends to its use in Dazed and Confused and Guitar Hero III, keeping it alive for new generations of Zoo Freaks.

Foghat’s story kicked off in 1971 in London, when “Lonesome” Dave Peverett, Roger Earl, and Tony Stevens split from Savoy Brown to chase their own sound. As detailed on Foghat’s official bio, they teamed up with slide guitarist Rod Price, fresh from Black Cat Bones, and named themselves “Foghat” after a nonsense word Peverett coined during a Scrabble-like game with his brother. Their debut album in 1972, featuring a cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” set the stage for their bluesy boogie-rock style. Signed to Bearsville Records, they hit the road hard, building a fanbase through relentless touring. By 1975, their album Fool for the City dropped “Slow Ride,” cementing their place in rock history. Despite lineup changes and the loss of Peverett in 2000 and Price in 2005, Foghat’s kept rocking, with Earl leading the charge alongside Bryan Bassett, Rodney O’Quinn, and Scott Holt.

Want to dive deeper into Foghat’s world? Check out their official website for tour dates, merch, and their latest album, Sonic Mojo. Stay connected on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of “Slow Ride” with a Las Vegas show announcement. Fans can join the Foghat Fan Club on Facebook to swap stories and show love for the band. For vintage vibes, visit Foghat Records Store for classic tees and vinyl. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks, and let’s take this “Slow Ride” all night long!