Slow Ride (Live 1977)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the classic "Slow Ride (Live 1977)" from Foghat's iconic album Foghat Live! This track, recorded during a high-energy performance, captures the raw power of Foghat’s blues-rock sound. According to drummer Roger Earl, "Slow Ride" was born during a jam session with bassist Nick Jameson, who recorded the session on a cassette player. The entire song, including its legendary bass solo and searing slide guitar, came together organically, with Jameson contributing key elements like the middle section and ending. Earl once shared in an interview with Louder, “Of course Slow Ride is about sex. All rock’n’roll songs are about sex, aren’t they?” The song’s suggestive lyrics and grinding rhythm made it a staple of 1970s rock, earning it the 45th spot on VH1’s "Best Hard Rock" songs in 2009.

The live version from 1977, clocking in at 8 minutes and 21 seconds, became Foghat’s signature track, fueled by the roar of a revved-up New York audience. Earl recalled the thrill of performing it, telling Louder, “Even now, when there are 10,000 people out there screaming their heads off, it’s difficult not to get chills.” The band fought for the song’s full eight-minute glory as a single, despite resistance from Bearsville Records’ head Paul Fishkin, who argued for a shorter edit. Foghat’s insistence paid off, as the track’s raw energy resonated with fans, helping Foghat Live climb to #11 on the Billboard 200 and earn double platinum status. Fun fact: the song’s cultural reach extended beyond radio, appearing in Guitar Hero III, Dazed and Confused, and even Top Gun: Maverick, cementing its timeless appeal.

Foghat formed in London in 1971, emerging from the ashes of the British blues-rock scene. The band was sparked by Roger Earl, Dave “Lonesome Dave” Peverett, and Tony Stevens, all former members of Savoy Brown, a seminal blues-rock outfit led by Kim Simmonds. Inspired by their American tours with Savoy Brown, Earl and Peverett wanted to craft a slicker, more boogie-driven sound. They recruited slide guitarist Rod Price, formerly of Black Cat Bones, and named the band “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, slide-guitar-heavy style. By 1975, their album Fool for the City and the hit “Slow Ride” propelled them to global fame, with Foghat Live in 1977 solidifying their status as arena rockers.

Despite lineup changes and the loss of Peverett in 2000, Price in 2005, and bassist Craig MacGregor in 2018, Foghat has kept rocking for over 54 years. The current lineup, led by Earl and featuring Bryan Bassett, Rodney O’Quinn, and Scott Holt, continues to deliver high-energy shows and new music like their 2023 album Sonic Mojo, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Fans can connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to join the Foghat community, check out fan-driven spaces like the Foghat Fan Club on Facebook or explore merch and updates at Foghat Records Store. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!