Cinnamon City

Not much direct chatter exists from Jay Ferguson himself about "Cinnamon City" in interviews or social media, but the song's vibe and context from the 1976 album All Alone In The End Zone tell a story of their own. Fans on platforms like Amazon rave about the track as a standout, with one reviewer calling it a "hard rocker" that showcases Ferguson's knack for blending lyrical depth with a punchy, California-infused sound. The song’s raw energy, backed by Joe Walsh’s unmistakable guitar riffs, feels like a nod to Ferguson’s days with Jo Jo Gunne, but with a slicker, mid-70s polish. Some speculate the title might evoke a dreamy, almost mythical place, tying into the album’s introspective themes of breaking free from past band constraints, as hinted in lyrics from the title track about “jumping the Gunne.”

The album’s production, helmed by Bill Szymczyk at Criteria Studios in Miami, added a layer of grit and soul to "Cinnamon City." A tidbit from The Rockasteria notes how Szymczyk brought in heavyweights like Walsh, Joe Vitale, and George "Chocolate" Perry, creating a tight ensemble that gave the track its infectious groove. Fans on Rate Your Music praise its driving rhythm and how it captures Ferguson’s shift from hard-rocking Jo Jo Gunne to a more melodic, yacht-rock-adjacent style. There’s no specific anecdote tied to the song’s creation, but its place on the album—sandwiched between the Traffic cover "Medicated Goo" and a remake of "To the Island"—suggests it was a deliberate pivot toward something fresh yet rooted in Ferguson’s rock past.

Jay Ferguson’s journey to "Cinnamon City" started in Burbank, California, where he was born on May 10, 1947. Raised in the San Fernando Valley, he took to music early, nudged by his parents into classical piano lessons at age 12. By 16, he’d ditched piano for banjo, forming a bluegrass outfit called The Oat Hill Stump Straddlers with his fiddle-playing brother Tom, as detailed on Wikipedia. His teens saw him dabbling in garage bands like Western Union and The Red Roosters, balancing gigs as a theater usher and piano teacher while studying at UCLA. In the mid-60s, he joined Spirit, a psychedelic rock band, taking on lead vocals and songwriting duties alongside Randy California. Spirit’s gigs at Sunset Strip clubs like Whisky a Go Go led to a cameo in the 1968 film Model Shop, cementing their local legend status.

By 1971, Ferguson and Spirit bassist Mark Andes split to form Jo Jo Gunne, a harder-edged rock band signed to Asylum Records. As the main songwriter and vocalist, Ferguson drove hits like "Run Run Run," but after the band dissolved, he took a breather until producer Bill Szymczyk lured him to Miami in 1975. That’s where All Alone In The End Zone was born, kicking off his solo career with a bang. After his solo run, including the 1978 hit "Thunder Island," Ferguson pivoted to composing for TV and film, crafting scores for The Office and NCIS: Los Angeles. His official website, jayfergusonmusic.com, dives deeper into his discography and scoring work. You can catch updates on his Facebook and Instagram, though his X account is pretty quiet these days.

Fan communities keep Ferguson’s legacy alive. The Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne Fans Facebook group is a lively spot where Zoo Freaks might find kindred spirits sharing vinyl rips and memories of All Alone In The End Zone. Another gem is Blue Desert, a fan site dedicated to West Coast music, with detailed tracklists and musician credits for Ferguson’s work. These corners of the internet show the enduring love for his 70s output, with "Cinnamon City" often cited as a hidden gem that deserves more airplay on stations like THE ZOO.