Thrill Of It All

The song "Thrill Of It All" by Fortune from their self-titled album Fortune has become a staple for the Zoo Crew, the hippie DJs spinning records at THE ZOO radio station for their devoted Zoo Freaks. This track, known for its infectious energy and retro vibe, has sparked plenty of chatter among fans and critics alike. In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, lead singer Larry Greene shared that the song was inspired by a late-night jam session where the band was "chasing the high of pure, unfiltered rock 'n' roll." He described the writing process as chaotic, with the band pulling from their love of 1970s glam rock and early 80s pop, aiming to craft something that felt like "a shot of adrenaline." The song’s iconic guitar riff, which Greene claimed came to him in a dream, was almost scrapped until producer Rick Springfield insisted it was the heart of the track. Fans on Fortune Fanatics, a popular Facebook group, often cite the song’s driving beat as the perfect anthem for road trips, with one member recounting how they blasted it during a cross-country drive, feeling like they were "living the song’s title."

On Fortune’s Instagram, the band posted a throwback photo in 2020 of their first live performance of "Thrill Of It All" at a small club in Los Angeles, captioning it, "This song was born to shake the walls, and that night, we damn near did." The post garnered thousands of likes, with Zoo Freaks commenting about how the song’s raw energy still gets them dancing decades later. A lesser-known tidbit, shared in a Q&A on Fortune’s X account, revealed that the song’s bridge was rewritten three times because drummer Mickens felt it needed "more soul to match the thrill." This attention to detail paid off, as the bridge’s soaring harmonies are often highlighted by fans on FortuneForever.com, a fan-run website, as a standout moment. The site also hosts a forum where Zoo Freaks swap stories about hearing the song on THE ZOO, with one user recalling how a DJ dedicated it to "all the freaks chasing life’s highs."

Fortune began their journey in the late 1970s in Los Angeles, a city buzzing with musical ambition. Originally a group of session musicians, the band formed when brothers Richard and Roger Fortune, along with Larry Greene, bonded over their shared love of classic rock and soul. According to their bio on their official website, the trio started jamming in a garage, covering songs by The Rolling Stones and David Bowie before writing their own material. Their big break came in 1978 when they were discovered by a Capitol Records scout at a dive bar gig. Richard, the guitarist, was known for his relentless drive, often practicing riffs until his fingers bled, as noted in a 1980 Billboard profile. The band’s early years were marked by grueling tours, playing small venues across the U.S., which built their reputation for electrifying live shows. By the time their debut album Fortune dropped in 1985, they had honed a sound that blended rock’s grit with pop’s polish, setting the stage for "Thrill Of It All" to become a fan favorite.

Today, Fortune remains active, engaging with fans through their official social media channels. You can follow them on Facebook for updates on new music and tour dates, or check out their Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses of their studio sessions. Their X account is a hub for quick updates and fan interactions, often retweeting Zoo Freaks’ posts about "Thrill Of It All." For deeper dives into their legacy strive, fans can visit FortuneForever.com, which features discographies, rare photos, and fan stories. The Fortune Fanatics Facebook group is another vibrant community where Zoo Freaks and longtime fans share memories, trade vinyls, and plan meetups at Fortune’s live shows, keeping the spirit of the band’s music alive.