Who Are You

The Zoo Crew's spin of Gretchen Wilson's "Who Are You" from the album Power Rock Duos taps into her bold fusion of country grit and rock energy, a track that showcases her powerful vocals on the iconic Who classic. This rendition, featuring legendary guitarist Randy Bachman of Bachman-Turner Overdrive fame, first emerged in 2009 as part of the tribute album Who Are You – An All Star Tribute to the Who, where Wilson channeled the raw intensity of the original while infusing her signature redneck swagger. In interviews, Wilson has shared her deep affinity for classic rock, citing Heart as one of her biggest influences, and this cover reflects that passion—Bachman himself praised her delivery in a 2020 release note, calling it a "fiery collaboration that honors the punk-rock spirit of the Who." Fans on social media have long celebrated the track's rebellious vibe, with one X post from a rock enthusiast noting, "Gretchen Wilson's 'Who Are You' with Randy Bachman is the ultimate power duo—pure adrenaline that makes you want to crank it up and question everything," echoing the song's timeless theme of identity and defiance. Interestingly, the duet's inclusion in Power Rock Duos, a 2020 Cleopatra Records compilation pairing country stars with rock legends, highlights Wilson's versatility; she once quipped in a radio interview about growing up blasting the Who alongside Merle Haggard, saying, "That mix is what makes my voice tick—equal parts honky-tonk and headbanging."

Born on June 26, 1973, in the small town of Pocahontas, Illinois, Gretchen Wilson grew up in a world far removed from the glamour of Nashville, raised by her teenage mother in a series of rented mobile homes amid cornfields and financial struggles. Her father, a musician, left when she was just two, leaving young Gretchen to discover her own musical spark through honky-tonk bars where she sneaked in underage to watch performers, honing her skills by singing along to the jukebox. Dropping out of high school at 16 to support her family, she took a job as a telephone solicitor before landing gigs as a bartender and budding singer in local Illinois dives, where she'd belt out covers for tips and build her grit. In her early 20s, a bold move to Nashville in 1996 marked the turning point; waitressing by day and demo-singing by night, she caught the ear of songwriter John Rich (of Big & Rich), who persisted despite her initial brush-off, eventually co-writing her breakthrough hit "Redneck Woman." That 2004 debut single exploded onto the charts, launching her from obscurity to stardom and earning a Grammy, all fueled by the unapologetic authenticity she carried from those hardscrabble Midwestern roots.

For the latest on Gretchen Wilson, visit her official website, where fans can catch tour dates and new releases. Connect with her on Facebook, follow along on Instagram, or catch her updates on X. Dedicated fans can dive deeper at the Gretchen Wilson fan club Facebook group, a vibrant community sharing stories and memories, or explore the fan-run site Oh, Gretchen for archived news and tributes to her career.