Danger Zone

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is cranking up the volume with "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins, the iconic track from the Top Gun Soundtrack. This song almost didn’t land with Loggins—can you believe it? It was first offered to Jefferson Starship, but they passed. Then Toto was in the mix, but legal disputes grounded them after the producers only wanted vocalist Joseph Williams’ voice, which the band rejected. REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin also turned it down, saying the notes were too high for him. Loggins, who was already in the studio working on another track for the film, “Playing With the Boys,” made a snap decision to take it on. He later called it a “very snap judgement” in a 2022 AXS TV interview. With lyrics by Tom Whitlock and music by Giorgio Moroder, Loggins added his own improvisations, channeling Tina Turner’s aggressive rock attitude, especially in how he growled “danger zone.” The result? A #2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, just behind Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.”

Here’s a wild tidbit: the song’s demo was recorded by Joe Pizzulo and even popped up in the 1987 TV movie Cracked Up. The Top Gun producers, Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, along with music supervisor Michael Dilbeck, sifted through over 300 songs to find the perfect fit for the film’s high-octane opening. Nothing clicked until Moroder crafted “Danger Zone.” Loggins told The Los Angeles Times in 2022 that he drew inspiration from Tina Turner’s vocal style, saying her “rock attitude” shaped his delivery. The song’s music video, directed by Tony Scott, mixed clips from the movie with shots of Loggins in a smoky room, which the U.S. Navy reportedly called “the most effective recruiting poster ever produced.” Fun fact: Loggins re-recorded a 5.0 surround version for Top Gun: Maverick, but Tom Cruise insisted on the original to keep that nostalgic vibe, as Loggins shared with Entertainment Weekly in 2022.

Now, let’s rewind to how Kenny Loggins kicked off his career. Born on January 7, 1948, in Everett, Washington, Loggins started writing songs as a teenager. His big break came in 1970 when his compositions caught the ear of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, leading to some early recordings. This opened the door to a gig with Jim Messina, and from 1972 to 1977, they rocked as Loggins and Messina, churning out seven albums with hits like “Your Mama Don’t Dance.” After the duo split, Loggins went solo, and boy, did he soar. His soundtrack work began with “I Believe in Love” for A Star Is Born in 1976, followed by smashes like “I’m Alright” from Caddyshack and the chart-topping “Footloose” in 1984, which earned an Academy Award nomination. By the ‘80s, Loggins was crowned “The King of the Movie Soundtrack,” as noted by Vulture in 2022, thanks to his knack for delivering high-energy anthems.

Wanna keep up with Kenny Loggins? Check out his official website at kennyloggins.com for tour dates and news. He’s active on Facebook, where he celebrated “Danger Zone” trending on Instagram in 2022, and you can catch his posts on Instagram and X. Fans are buzzing in places like the Kenny Loggins Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can join the conversation. There’s also a fan-run site, Kenny Loggins Zone, packed with discographies and updates. So, crank up “Danger Zone,” and let’s keep the high-flying vibes going, Zoo Crew style!