Ordinary World

The Zoo Crew is spinning the powerful cover of Ordinary World by George Lynch & Jeff Pilson from their 2020 album Heavy Hitters, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this metal-infused take on Duran Duran’s classic. One fascinating piece of trivia comes from George Lynch himself, who shared in an interview with The Rockpit that he was never a huge Duran Duran fan but always loved Ordinary World for its majestic and emotional qualities. He described covering the song as both an honor and a challenge, aiming to respect the original arrangement while adding their distinctive heavy metal stamp. Jeff Pilson echoed this sentiment on his blog, The Official Jeff Pilson Blog, noting that the goal of Heavy Hitters was to take iconic songs and make them fresh yet true to their roots. Pilson highlighted how they added heaviness to Ordinary World, with Lynch’s soulful guitar work and vocalist Wil Martin’s phenomenal voice elevating the track.

Another interesting tidbit about the song’s creation is the collaborative energy behind it. According to a post on BLABBERMOUTH.NET, the Heavy Hitters album, including Ordinary World, brought together an impressive lineup, with Brian Tichy on drums and Wil Martin delivering standout vocals. Pilson emphasized the fun they had reinterpreting these hits, and the choice of Ordinary World as the lead single—streamed widely, as noted on BraveWords—shows its significance. Lynch also mentioned in an Sonic Perspectives interview that the album was a creative exercise in reimagining songs across decades, and Ordinary World stood out for its emotional depth, making it a perfect fit for their hard rock makeover.

George Lynch and Jeff Pilson’s musical journey began in the early 1980s when they joined forces in the iconic hard rock band Dokken. Lynch, born in Spokane, Washington, and raised in California, started playing guitar as a teenager, inspired by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Cream, as detailed on his official website, georgelynch.com. His innovative shredding style earned him a reputation as a guitar virtuoso, and by the time he met Pilson, a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from Chicago, they were ready to make waves. Pilson, who had been playing in local bands and honing his skills as a bassist and producer, joined Dokken in 1983, as noted on jeffpilson.com. Their chemistry in Dokken, particularly on albums like Tooth and Nail, laid the foundation for their long-lasting partnership, which continued through projects like Lynch/Pilson’s Wicked Underground (2003), T&N, and The End Machine.

After Dokken’s initial breakup in 1989, Lynch formed Lynch Mob, while Pilson explored various projects, including joining Foreigner in 2004, where he remains a key member. Their collaboration on Heavy Hitters in 2020 was a nostalgic yet fresh reunion, building on their decades-long friendship and musical synergy, as Lynch discussed in a 2019 Guitar World interview. Both artists have stayed active, with Lynch touring solo and with Lynch Mob, and Pilson balancing Foreigner duties with production work. Fans can keep up with their latest endeavors through their social media: George Lynch’s Facebook, Instagram, and X, and Jeff Pilson’s Facebook, Instagram, and X.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, there are fan-driven communities celebrating Lynch and Pilson’s work. The George Lynch Fan Page on Facebook is a vibrant hub where fans share updates, tour news, and memories, as mentioned in a review on Geoff Wilbur’s Music Blog. Similarly, Dokken fans often gather in groups like Dokken Fans United, which frequently discusses Lynch and Pilson’s contributions to the band and their side projects. These communities are great places to connect with fellow fans and uncover more stories about Ordinary World and the duo’s extensive catalog.