Star Cycle (Live 1986 / Wildcard Remaster)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the electrifying "Star Cycle (Live 1986 / Wildcard Remaster)" by Jeff Beck from the album Live in Japan. This track, originally from Beck’s 1980 album There and Back, is a jazz-fusion masterpiece composed by keyboardist Jan Hammer. Its pulsating energy made it the theme song for both Mid-South Wrestling in the U.S. and the British music program The Tube, cementing its place in pop culture. A Reddit post from the SquaredCircle community highlights its use as an entrance theme in wrestling, showcasing its crossover appeal. Fans on r/ClassicRock rave about a 2016 Hollywood Bowl performance with Hammer, where Beck, at 74, left audiences in awe with his virtuosity, as one user recalled being “blown away” after seeing him live in 2019.

The song’s live 1986 rendition, captured in Japan, showcases Beck’s chemistry with Hammer, whose synth-heavy style echoes his iconic Miami Vice theme. A Synthtopia article notes their 2016 reunion at the Hollywood Bowl, celebrating Beck’s 50-year career, with Rhonda Smith on bass and Carmen Vandenberg on rhythm guitar. Hammer’s influence on the track is undeniable, with fans on Synthtopia praising their “kindred spirits” dynamic, drawing parallels to Hammer’s work with Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin. Beck himself once called the electric guitar “a fascinating plank of wood with knobs and switches,” a sentiment that shines through in the innovative sound of “Star Cycle.”

Jeff Beck, born Geoffrey Arnold Beck on June 24, 1944, in Wallington, Surrey, began his musical journey as a teenager captivated by the electric guitar. His early obsession led him to build his own instrument, a testament to his hands-on approach. Beck’s big break came in 1965 when he joined The Yardbirds, replacing Eric Clapton. His innovative playing helped shape their psychedelic and blues-rock sound. After leaving in 1966, he formed the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, releasing influential albums like Truth and Beck-Ola. A post on X notes how these albums inspired Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, influencing Led Zeppelin’s debut. Beck’s shift to instrumental jazz-fusion in the 1970s, with albums like Blow by Blow, solidified his reputation as a “guitarist’s guitarist,” earning him eight Grammy Awards and two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions.

Though Beck passed away in 2023, his legacy lives on through his official website and social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans keep his spirit alive on platforms like the Jeff Beck Group on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories and rare recordings. The Jeff Beck Fan Club offers a hub for Zoo Freaks to connect, swap stories, and celebrate his genre-spanning career. So, crank up “Star Cycle,” let those fusion vibes flow, and join the Zoo Crew in honoring a true guitar legend!