Kiss This

The Zoo Crew is spinning the high-energy track "Kiss This" by Joanna Dean from her 1988 album Misbehavin', a favorite among Zoo Freaks for its gritty, bluesy hard rock vibe. One juicy piece of trivia about "Kiss This" comes from its music video shoots—yes, there were two versions! The first, directed by Mark Rezyka, was filmed in a hotel room with the band rocking out so hard that a downstairs neighbor in the video gets hilariously annoyed by the noise. The second version captures Joanna arriving at a concert venue, fending off a pesky photographer before tearing up the stage with her band. Fans on Amazon reviews rave about the song’s defiant, “kick-your-ass-to-the-curb” attitude, with one calling it a “full-on party strut” that showcases Joanna’s raspy, Janis Joplin-esque pipes. Another tidbit: the song was released as a single by Polydor Records but got limited MTV airplay, which many fans lament as a missed chance for it to become a bigger hit in the late ‘80s hair band scene.

Joanna Dean, born Joanna Dean Jacobs in Memphis, Tennessee, kicked off her music career with a bang. At just 18, she was singing backup for the legendary James Brown, a gig that sharpened her stage presence and vocal chops. Her talent quickly caught the eye of record labels, and she signed with CBS/Sony before moving to Polygram. Her debut album, Misbehavin', was recorded at Memphis’ Ardent Studios with producers Eli Ball and James Hampton, backed by her band Big Noise. The album, featuring "Kiss This," was a critical darling, earning comparisons to Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, and Maggie Bell. Joanna toured Europe and the U.S., opening for heavyweights like Johnny Winter and AC/DC, and performed at iconic venues like London’s Marquee Club. Despite her powerhouse voice and stage charisma, she only released two albums—one solo and one with her band Bad Romance—before stepping away from music, rumored to have become a web designer, though no confirmed sources pin down her current whereabouts.

Finding Joanna Dean’s official online presence is tricky, as she’s been out of the spotlight for decades. There’s no verified official website or active social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, or X tied to her name. Fans, however, keep her legacy alive. Check out the Discogs page for Joanna Dean for detailed album credits and vinyl releases. There’s also a buzz among Zoo Freaks on fan-driven platforms like Rate Your Music, where users praise Misbehavin' as a “lost gem” of ‘80s hard rock. No dedicated Facebook groups for Joanna Dean pop up in recent searches, but fans often discuss her in broader ‘80s rock forums, like those on HardRock80, where her bluesy, biker-rock style is celebrated. If you’re a Zoo Freak hunting for more, these sites are your best bet to connect with fellow enthusiasts.