It's Not The Music

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew’s cranking up a righteous hard rock vibe with It’s Not The Music by Legs Diamond, the opening scorcher from their 1977 self-titled debut album Legs Diamond, and man, it’s like a shot of pure ‘70s adrenaline straight to the heart. This track’s all about that raw, defiant energy, with Rick Sanford’s soaring vocals belting out, “It’s not the music, it’s how ya play it,” over Roger Romeo’s crunchy riffs, like a call to arms for every dreamer chasing their groove. A fan on Reddit raved about it as a standout, saying it hooked them from the first note at a vinyl swap, while another on X shared a story of blasting it in a ‘78 Camaro, feeling like they were “racing the devil” down a desert highway. In a Rock Candy Records interview, the band spilled that producer Derek Lawrence, fresh off Deep Purple’s glory days, pushed them to capture their live energy, making this song a fist-pumping kickoff that set the tone for their cult classic debut.

Dig this wild tidbit: It’s Not The Music was a bold statement from a band fighting to stand out in L.A.’s crowded scene, and its lyrics, as quoted on Rate Your Music, are like a middle finger to anyone doubting their grit—“It’s not the words, it’s how ya say it.” A Facebook fan page posted a throwback pic of the band recording at Wally Heider Studios, noting how Sanford’s Frank DiMino-esque pipes gave the track its larger-than-life vibe. On Instagram, a follower shared a memory of catching Legs Diamond open for Ted Nugent in ‘77, where It’s Not The Music got the crowd so hyped, it felt like “the roof was gonna blow off.” The song’s Deep Purple-inspired wall of sound, with Michael Prince’s keyboards adding that pomp edge, made it a favorite for San Antonio DJ Joe “the Godfather” Anthony, who spun it into local legend status, per San Antonio Express-News. It’s pure Zoo Crew fuel—loud, proud, and ready to rock your world.

Now, let’s cruise back to how Legs Diamond got their start, ‘cause this band’s story is a straight-up rock ‘n’ roll saga. Formed in 1975 in Los Angeles, the crew—Michael “Diamond” Gargano (bass), Jeff Poole (drums), Roger Romeo (guitar), Rick Sanford (vocals), and Michael Prince (keyboards, guitar)—took their name from a 1920s gangster, aiming for that outlaw cool, as Wikipedia lays out. Starting in San Francisco, Michael and Jeff moved to L.A., where they found their missing pieces and snagged a Mercury Records deal. Their 1977 debut, including It’s Not The Music, was a hard-hitting mix of glam, pomp, and raw riffs, influenced by Deep Purple and Grand Funk Railroad, per AllMusic. Despite killer tours with Styx, Kiss, and Nugent, Mercury’s weak promo left them as cult heroes, breaking up in 1980 but reforming in ‘84 as their albums gained a following, especially in San Antonio. With lineup shifts—like John Levesque replacing Sanford in 2005 and Keith England joining in 2019—they’re still rocking occasional gigs, per Legsdiamond.com.

Zoo Freaks, if you’re feeling Legs Diamond’s rebel spirit, plug into their world: hit up their official website for tour updates and merch that’s pure ‘70s cool, vibe with them on Facebook, check out gritty throwbacks on Instagram, and join the chatter on X. For you diehards, dive into the Legs Diamond Fans Facebook group to swap stories of epic shows—like their Texas parking lot parties—or hunt rare vinyl. Fan sites like Rock Candy Records offer reissues and deep dives into their legacy, keeping the flame alive. Keep spinning those records, and let It’s Not The Music remind you it’s all about how you play it!