Stayed Awake All Night

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hard-hitting track "Stayed Awake All Night" by Krokus from their 1983 album Headhunter, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This song, a cover of Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s original, written by Randy Bachman, has a unique story. Many fans, including blogger Joe Siegler, initially thought it was a Krokus original due to its seamless fit with their gritty, high-energy sound. Siegler shared on his blog that he was surprised to learn it was a BTO cover, admitting he preferred Krokus’s version for its raw edge, a sentiment echoed by some fans on Reddit. The track’s driving rhythm and Marc Storace’s powerhouse vocals made it a standout, often highlighted in live performances and included on the 1989 compilation Stayed Awake All Night: The Best of Krokus. Its inclusion on Headhunter, produced by Tom Allom (known for Judas Priest and Black Sabbath), gave it a heavier, polished sound that resonated with the 80s metal scene.

Another piece of trivia comes from the song’s reception. On Reddit, fans in the hair metal community praised Krokus’s take, with some calling it superior to the original for its electrifying guitar riffs and relentless energy. The song was one of three tracks from Headhunter—alongside "Screaming in the Night" and "Eat the Rich"—to crack the Top 40 of Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, showcasing its commercial punch. Krokus’s choice to cover this song wasn’t their first nod to Randy Bachman; they’d previously tackled The Guess Who’s "American Woman" on their 1982 album One Vice at a Time. This cover also sparked debates among fans, with some, like Siegler’s friend, a Guess Who enthusiast, giving a "bitter beer face" to Krokus’s version, highlighting the passionate divide over their reinterpretation.

Krokus began in Solothurn, Switzerland, in 1975, founded by bassist Chris von Rohr and guitarist Tommy Kiefer. Initially, the band leaned into progressive rock, releasing their self-titled debut in 1976, but they soon pivoted to hard rock and heavy metal, inspired by bands like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Their early years were marked by lineup changes and a struggle to find their sound. The turning point came in 1980 when vocalist Marc Storace, formerly of Eazy Money, joined for their breakthrough album Metal Rendez-vous. Storace’s Bon Scott-esque growl and the band’s tightened riffs propelled them to international attention, particularly in North America during the 1980s. Albums like Headhunter and The Blitz cemented their reputation, earning gold status in the U.S. and platinum in Switzerland. Despite comparisons to AC/DC, Krokus carved their niche with anthemic originals and bold covers, touring relentlessly as openers for giants like Iron Maiden and Def Leppard.

The band’s journey wasn’t without challenges. Lineup shifts, including the brief tenure of drummer Steve Pace on Headhunter, and internal conflicts, like von Rohr’s departure after the album, tested their resilience. Yet, Krokus endured, releasing 18 studio albums, with their final one, Big Rocks, dropping in 2017. They officially retired in 2021 after a farewell tour, leaving a legacy as Switzerland’s most successful hard rock export. Fans can stay connected through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. For Zoo Freaks wanting more, fan communities thrive on platforms like the Krokus Fan Club on Facebook and Reddit’s hair metal community, where discussions about tracks like "Stayed Awake All Night" keep the band’s spirit alive.