Chain Of Fools

The Zoo Crew is spinning the gritty, soulful track "Chain of Fools" by Little Caesar from their 1990 self-titled debut album, a favorite among Zoo Freaks. This cover of Aretha Franklin’s classic wasn’t initially embraced by frontman Ron Young. In a 2016 interview with BraveWords, Young revealed he resisted including it on the album, let alone as the lead single, fearing it might overshadow their original vision. He explained that the song was a prototype for the band’s R&B-infused hard rock sound, jammed during early rehearsals to define their style, but their A&R rep, John Kalodner, insisted it lead the record. Despite Young’s hesitation, the track cracked the Billboard Top 100 and gained heavy rotation on MTV and rock radio, becoming what Young called their “greatest miss” for its unexpected success.

Another tidbit from the same BraveWords interview highlights the band’s raw approach to the song. Young noted that "Chain of Fools" was chosen to channel the soulful energy of 1970s bands like Free and Humble Pie, blending it with a hard rock edge. The band’s tattooed, biker image clashed with the era’s glam metal scene, which Young believed confused audiences but added authenticity to their live performances. A 2016 post on yperano.com recalls their 1990 Arsenio Hall Show appearance, describing how their long-haired, tattooed look paired with soulful rock left viewers puzzled yet captivated, cementing the song’s place in their legacy.

Little Caesar formed in Los Angeles in the late 1980s, led by vocalist Ron Young, a former nightclub bouncer with a passion for soul and blues. According to their official bio on littlecaesar.net, Young teamed up with guitarist Loren Molinare, guitarist Apache, bassist Fidel Paniagua, and drummer Tom Morris to create a band that stood out from the Sunset Strip’s pop metal scene. Their soulful, no-frills sound drew from influences like The Faces and Motown, catching attention with an independent EP, Name Your Poison. This led to a feature on Metal Blade’s 1989 Street Survivors compilation with the track “Down to the Wire,” which secured a deal with DGC Records, a Geffen subsidiary. With producer Bob Rock and A&R from John Kalodner, their debut album, featuring "Chain of Fools," dropped in 1990 to critical praise for its honest, bluesy hard rock.

Fans can connect with Little Caesar through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and behind-the-scenes content. The band’s official website offers merch, music, and tour dates, reflecting their active presence despite industry shifts. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the Little Caesar Fan Group on Facebook is a hub for fans to discuss the band’s music, share rare photos, and celebrate tracks like "Chain of Fools." While no standalone fan websites were found, the band’s enduring cult following is evident in Reddit’s r/hairmetal community, where posts about the song consistently spark nostalgic praise.