Dragonfly

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Dragonfly" by Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush from the 1978 album Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush Live, a track that captures the band's electrifying live energy and has become a fan favorite among Zoo Freaks. This song, originally from the 1976 album Mahogany Rush IV, is a psychedelic funk masterpiece with Marino’s soaring guitar work, often compared to Jimi Hendrix. One piece of trivia comes from a 2005 tribute album, Secondhand Smoke: A Tribute to Frank Marino, where guitarist Karl Cochran covered "Dragonfly," highlighting its enduring appeal among musicians. Fans on Facebook groups like the Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush Fanatics often share stories of hearing "Dragonfly" live, with one fan recalling a 2008 concert where Marino’s 20-minute rendition of "Voodoo Child" felt like a spiritual extension of "Dragonfly’s" vibe, complete with an old-school overhead projector light show that blew their minds. Another tidbit from a 2021 Psychedelic Baby Magazine interview reveals Marino’s inspiration for the song’s trippy lyrics, which he tied to his acid trip experiences, describing the dragonfly as a “giant blue-green sentinel” from a distant time and space, a vision he brought to life through his music.

In the same 2021 interview, Marino clarified the myth that "Dragonfly" and his early work stemmed from a supposed visitation by Jimi Hendrix’s spirit after a bad LSD trip. He debunked this, explaining that the story was fabricated by a local newspaper writer to gain press attention, later snowballing into a legend. Instead, Marino noted that "Dragonfly" was part of his attempt to musically describe the psychedelic headspace he called “Mahogany Rush,” a term he coined to capture the rush of his acid-influenced creativity. Fans on platforms like Last.fm praise the live version of "Dragonfly" for its raw, unpolished energy, with some noting that the song’s funky groove and Marino’s blistering solos make it a standout from the Live album’s somewhat flat production. The song’s lyrics, filled with imagery of a mystical dragonfly collecting souls, resonate with Zoo Freaks who dig its cosmic, otherworldly vibe, perfect for the hippie DJs’ eclectic playlist.

Frank Marino, born Francesco Antonio Marino on November 20, 1954, in Montreal, Canada, got his start in music at a young age, initially playing drums from age five before switching to guitar around 13 or 14. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix, he formed Mahogany Rush in 1969, a band that blended hard rock, psychedelia, and blues. By 16, Marino was already recording his first album, Maxoom (1972), showcasing his prodigious talent. As shared in a 2005 Guitar Player interview, Marino’s early gigs on Montreal’s high school dance circuit built a local legend, with rumors swirling about his Hendrix-like skills. His band, initially a power trio with bassist Paul Harwood and drummer Jimmy Ayoub, gained traction through relentless touring, eventually playing massive venues like California Jam II alongside acts like Aerosmith. Marino’s Hendrix-inspired style, described on his official website as “The Grateful Dead meets jazz,” earned him a cult following, though he faced criticism for being a Hendrix clone—a label he rejected, emphasizing his unique creative spirit.

Marino’s career peaked in the 1970s with albums like Mahogany Rush IV and World Anthem, and he continued to evolve, releasing solo work and reforming Mahogany Rush in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1990, he opened Starbase Studio in Montreal, and in 2000, he released Eye of the Storm, discovering a massive online fanbase, as he told Guitar Player. Despite retiring from touring in 2021 due to an undisclosed medical condition, Marino remains active, crafting limited-edition guitar pedals like The DragonFly and Juggernaut through his Frank Marino Pro Audio venture, as noted in a 2024 KNAC.com update. Fans can connect with him on his official Facebook page, where he shares updates, or follow his Instagram for pedal demos. His X account offers occasional insights, though it’s less active. Dedicated fan communities thrive on sites like Mahogany Rush’s fan club page and the Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush Fanatics group, where Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into Marino’s legacy.