Always On The Run

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Always On The Run" by Lenny Kravitz from his 1991 album Mama Said, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this funky rock anthem. One juicy piece of trivia about this track is its collaboration with Slash, the iconic guitarist from Guns N’ Roses. Slash co-wrote the song and laid down its searing guitar riffs, originally intending it for a Guns N’ Roses album. However, former drummer Steven Adler struggled to nail the groove, so Slash saved it for his high-school buddy Lenny. The two reunited for a wild, vodka-fueled recording session in New York, where they banged out the track in a single day. Lenny played drums, bass, and guitar, while Slash added his signature axe work, and horn players were brought in to complete the funky vibe. As Lenny recalled in a Rolling Stone interview, “I had a gallon of vodka and a bag of ice, and we went in the studio and bang, there it was.”

Another cool story about "Always On The Run" comes from its live performance history. During Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion Tour stop in Paris on June 6, 1992, Lenny joined the band onstage to perform this track, rocking guitar and vocals alongside Slash. This epic moment was a nod to their friendship and the song’s infectious energy. The track’s lyrics, starting with “My mama said,” pay tribute to Lenny’s mother, Roxie Roker, an acclaimed actress known for her role as Helen Willis on The Jeffersons. Lenny explained to Songfacts that the song reflects his mother’s wisdom, urging him to slow down and absorb life’s lessons while he was caught up in a whirlwind of ambition. The song’s music video, directed by Jesse Dylan, captures its raw, retro vibe, blending ‘60s influences like Jimi Hendrix and James Brown, which critics like Melody Maker noted for its “nifty boogie-funk” style.

Lenny Kravitz, born Leonard Albert Kravitz on May 26, 1964, in Manhattan, New York, kicked off his career with a deep love for the music of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Growing up between the Upper East Side and Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, he was shaped by his parents—Roxie Roker, a Black actress of Bahamian descent, and Sy Kravitz, a Jewish television news producer. His diverse background, which he describes in his memoir Let Love Rule as “Black and white, Jewish and Christian, Manhattanite and Brooklynite,” fueled his eclectic sound. As a kid, Lenny soaked up influences from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Marvin Gaye. He joined the California Boys Choir for three years, performing classical music and even singing with the Metropolitan Opera. By junior high, he was diving into rock and soul, though he’s admitted to being a “pothead” during his youth, as noted in his Wikipedia bio.

Lenny’s big break came after graduating from Beverly Hills High School, where he performed under the stage name Romeo Blue. Initially, record labels rejected his music, claiming it “wasn’t black enough,” as he told Variety. Refusing to compromise, he caught the attention of Virgin Records in 1988 after a five-minute meeting with an A&R rep who saw his potential. Signed in January 1989, Lenny dropped the Romeo Blue persona and released his debut album, Let Love Rule, later that year. The album’s rock-funk blend, inspired by his then-wife Lisa Bonet and newborn daughter Zoë, won over critics and fans, launching his career. His sophomore album, Mama Said, cemented his status with hits like "Always On The Run" and "It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over", the latter a heartfelt plea to Bonet amid their breakup.

Stay connected with Lenny Kravitz through his official website, where you can find tour dates, music, and merch. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on his latest projects, like his 2024 album Blue Electric Light. Fans can join the Lenny Kravitz Fan Club on Facebook to share their love for his music and connect with other Zoo Freaks. For more fan-driven content, check out Lenny Kravitz Online, a dedicated fan site with news, discography, and community forums. Keep rocking with the Zoo Crew, and let love rule!