Runnin' Thru The Fire

The Zoo Crew is spinning the high-energy track "Runnin' Thru The Fire" by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, from the 1989 album Eddie & The Cruisers II: Eddie Lives, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This song, with its driving rock rhythm and vivid lyrics like “I got smokestack lightning runnin’ through my veins,” captures the raw, rebellious spirit of the film’s storyline about Eddie Wilson’s return. In a 2022 interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, included in the liner notes for the band’s Greatest Hits album, John Cafferty shared that the song was written to reflect the intense, almost reckless passion of the film’s protagonist, channeling the band’s signature heartland rock sound. The track’s fiery energy, he noted, was meant to evoke the struggle and redemption central to the sequel’s plot, making it a standout for fans.

Another tidbit comes from a fan post on the Eddie and the Cruisers Fan Club Facebook group, where a member recalled seeing the band perform "Runnin' Thru The Fire" live in 1989 during a promotional tour for the film. The fan described the saxophone riffs by Michael “Tunes” Antunes as “electrifying,” stealing the show and getting the crowd roaring. The song’s recording process also has a story: according to a Discogs review, the 1989 vinyl pressing of the soundtrack had a hot mix in the highs, which some audiophiles adjusted with EQ to fully appreciate its clarity and power. This track remains a favorite for its gritty vocals and unrelenting pace, perfectly suited for the Zoo Crew’s eclectic vibe.

John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band started in 1972 in Narragansett, Rhode Island, originally called simply Beaver Brown after a paint can label that caught their eye. The classic lineup—John Cafferty (vocals/guitar), Gary Gramolini (guitar), Pat Lupo (bass), Kenny Jo Silva (drums), Bobby Cotoia (keyboards), and Michael “Tunes” Antunes (saxophone)—honed their craft as a bar band, building a loyal following across New England’s beach towns and Northeast cities like Boston and Asbury Park. Their big break came in 1983 when they were tapped to write and record the soundtrack for Eddie and the Cruisers, after producer Kenny Vance saw them perform at The Bitter End and dubbed them the “real-life Eddie and the Cruisers.” Their 1980 independent single “Wild Summer Nights”/“Tender Years” had already sold 10,000 copies locally, proving their regional draw before the film’s success catapulted them to national fame.

The band’s sound, often compared to Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger, resonated with college-age fans and blue-collar audiences, leading to hits like “On the Dark Side,” which topped Billboard’s Rock chart for five weeks. Despite lineup changes and the passing of members like Bobby Cotoia in 2004 and Pat Lupo in 2021, the band continues to tour and record, celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2022 with a Greatest Hits collection. Zoo Freaks can connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at the Eddie and the Cruisers Fan Club on Facebook and the John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band Fan Group, where they share memories, concert updates, and love for the band’s timeless rock anthems.