Ain’t Dead Yet

The song Ain't Dead Yet by Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush from their 1981 album The Power of Rock and Roll is a high-energy anthem that captures the raw, rebellious spirit of the band’s psychedelic hard rock sound. The track’s lyrics, with lines like “All around we hear the sound the voices in our ears, They…”, reflect a defiance and resilience that resonated with fans during the band’s live performances in the early 1980s. In a 2021 interview with Psychedelic Baby Magazine, Marino described the song as a reflection of his determination to keep pushing forward despite industry pressures and personal challenges, including his earlier struggles with substance abuse. The song’s driving rhythm and Marino’s blistering guitar solos made it a standout on the album, which peaked at #185 on the Billboard 200 chart. Fans on platforms like Reddit have praised its raw power, with one user noting it as a highlight of the band’s 1978 live album, showcasing Marino’s ability to channel Jimi Hendrix’s influence while carving out his own identity.

Another piece of trivia about Ain’t Dead Yet comes from its connection to the band’s tumultuous relationship with their record label, Columbia Records. In an interview with Classic Bands, Marino recounted how Columbia often clashed with him over creative control, including the album cover for The Power of Rock and Roll. The label produced a cover without his input, which Marino felt didn’t reflect the band’s vision. Despite these conflicts, the song became a fan favorite, especially among the “Zoo Freaks” who tuned into stations like THE ZOO for its unapologetic rock vibe. On Facebook, fans in the group Frank Marino Fan Club have shared stories of hearing the song live during the band’s 1970s and 1980s tours, with one fan recalling a 1978 California Jam II performance where Marino’s guitar work left the crowd of over 330,000 in awe.

Frank Marino, born Francesco Antonio Marino on November 20, 1954, in Montreal, Canada, began his musical journey in an unconventional way. As detailed on his official website, mahoganyrush.com, Marino was a self-taught drummer by age 10 but picked up the guitar at 13 while hospitalized for a traumatic LSD experience. This period profoundly shaped his life and music, leading to the creation of the band name “Mahogany Rush,” which he described as a way to articulate the intense sensations of his psychedelic experiences. Marino started jamming with local Montreal musicians, covering songs by The Doors, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix, whose style heavily influenced his guitar playing. By 1971, at just 16, he recorded his debut album, Maxoom, on Kotai Records, establishing Mahogany Rush as one of Canada’s first hard rock trios. His early performances in churches and on parade floats, as noted on fan site citizenfreak.com, laid the groundwork for the band’s growing popularity in the United States and beyond.

Marino’s career took off in the 1970s as Mahogany Rush toured extensively, sharing stages with bands like Aerosmith and Heart at events like California Jam II. Despite myths propagated by the press—such as claims that Marino was visited by Hendrix’s spirit or was his reincarnation—Marino has consistently debunked these stories on platforms like his Facebook page and in interviews. His focus remained on creating music that blended psychedelic rock with jazz and blues, as he once described his sound as “The Grateful Dead meets jazz.” Marino’s dedication to his craft earned him praise from peers like Steve Vai, who called him a “powerful performer” on Justin Time Records. Though he retired from music in 2021 due to an undisclosed medical condition, his legacy lives on through his devoted fanbase, active on social media and fan communities.

For more about Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, visit their official website at mahoganyrush.com. Connect with the band on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can join discussions and share memories in the Frank Marino Fan Club on Facebook or explore detailed band history on fan sites like citizenfreak.com. These platforms keep the spirit of Marino’s music alive, celebrating tracks like Ain’t Dead Yet that continue to rock the airwaves for listeners like the Zoo Freaks.