Town Bad Girl

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJs from THE ZOO spinning some righteous hard rock vibes to keep your soul groovin’! We’re cranking up “Town Bad Girl” by Legs Diamond from their 1990 album Town Bad Girl. This title track’s a gritty, high-octane banger with Rick Sanford’s vocals soaring over Roger Romeo’s blazing riffs, capturing the band’s knack for catchy hooks. Fun fact: a wild story from a YouTube comment on Heavy Metal Rarities claims the album’s cover model, a stripper, sued Metal Blade, Warner Brothers, and the band, alleging the unauthorized photo could hurt her career—and she won! No confirmation on the payout or her name, but fans on Legs Diamond’s X account love the tale’s rock ‘n’ roll drama. A Zoo Freak in the Legs Diamond Fans Facebook group shared how they caught the band playing this track live in ’90 at a small L.A. club, with Sanford’s raw energy making it feel like a “back-alley party.” It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna crank it and hit the open road!

More far-out trivia about “Town Bad Girl” — it’s one of the standout tracks from an album hailed as a return to form, with Licorice Pizza Records noting its “gold standard” songs like this one, which helped the band finally tour the UK to a hero’s welcome. The 2020 deluxe reissue, with a bonus track and a 16-page booklet, dives into the band’s perseverance, as per eBay listings. Fans on Rate Your Music praise the track’s “sleazy yet stylish” vibe, comparing Sanford’s voice to a mix of David Lee Roth and Paul Stanley. A post on X from a fan recalls how the song’s driving beat hooked them during a ’90s road trip, blasting it on a cassette deck. The Legs Diamond Fan Club site mentions a rare promo vinyl some collectors hunt for, with “Town Bad Girl” as the lead single. If you’ve got a story about this tune, Zoo Freaks, give us a shout!

So, how did Legs Diamond get their start? Picture Los Angeles, 1975, with the rock scene buzzing. Bassist Michael “Diamond” Gargano and drummer Jeff Poole, fans of the 1920s gangster Legs Diamond, teamed up with guitarist Roger Romeo, vocalist Rick Sanford, and keyboardist/guitarist Michael Prince, as detailed on Wikipedia. Named after the mobster, they cut their self-titled debut for Mercury Records in ’77, produced by Derek Lawrence of Deep Purple fame. A lucky break came when they crashed a KISS party, impressing Gene Simmons, who got them opening slots on the Rock & Roll Over tour, playing to 30,000 fans, per Amazon. Despite three solid albums, they split in ’80 but reformed in ’84 as their early work gained a cult following. By ’90, with Town Bad Girl on Metal Blade, they were back with a vengeance, though bad luck and label woes kept them from superstardom. Their “never say die” spirit, lauded by Kerrang! as “The Bands That Refused To Die,” still inspires fans and bands like Guns N’ Roses.

Wanna keep the Legs Diamond fire burning? Check out their official website for tour news, merch, and reissued albums like the 2018 Rock Candy remasters of their ’70s classics. They’re on Facebook and Instagram, sharing live clips and throwbacks to their KISS tour days. Follow their X account for updates and fan love, like memories of their San Antonio gigs, where they’re still a favorite thanks to DJ Joe “The Godfather” Anthony. For more community vibes, join the Legs Diamond Fans Facebook group or visit the Legs Diamond Fan Club site, where fans swap stories, rare demos, and photos from their ’90 UK tour. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the hard rock flame alive!