Woodstock

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the track "Woodstock" by Little Caesar from their 2009 album Redemption, much to the delight of their Zoo Freaks listeners. This song, a gritty hard rock anthem, captures the band’s raw energy and pays homage to the legendary 1969 festival, reimagining its spirit through a modern lens. In a 2010 interview with Classic Rock Revisited, frontman Ron Young described the track as “our nod to the free-spirited chaos of the era, but with a heavier, streetwise vibe.” He shared that the band wrote it after a late-night jam session where they were riffing on the idea of what Woodstock would feel like in the 21st century. The song’s lyrics, blending nostalgia with a rebellious edge, resonate with fans who crave that untamed rock ‘n’ roll soul.

While specific social media posts about "Woodstock" are scarce, Little Caesar’s Facebook page from 2010 shows the band hyping the Redemption album, with one post teasing, “Crank up ‘Woodstock’ and feel the mud between your toes!” Fans in the comments raved about the song’s live energy, with one recalling a 2011 show in Spain where the crowd chanted the chorus long after the set ended. Another piece of trivia: during the Redemption recording sessions, producer Bruce Witkin pushed for a looser, almost live feel for "Woodstock," inspired by the band’s barroom roots. This approach gave the track its unpolished, authentic grit, as noted in a 2009 review by AllMusic, which praised its “swaggering, festival-ready vibe.”

Little Caesar got their start in the late 1980s in Los Angeles, born from the city’s gritty rock scene. Frontman Ron Young, a former nightclub bouncer with a voice like weathered leather, teamed up with guitarist Loren Molinare, bassist Fidel Paniagua, and drummer Tom Morris to form the band. Their early days were spent grinding it out in dive bars, building a loyal following with their blend of hard rock, blues, and soul. Young’s larger-than-life presence and the band’s raw sound caught the attention of Metal Blade Records, leading to their inclusion on the 1989 compilation Street Survivors with the track “Down to the Wire.” This exposure landed them a deal with DGC Records, a Geffen subsidiary, and their self-titled debut album, produced by Bob Rock, dropped in 1990, featuring their hit cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools.”

The band’s journey wasn’t without hurdles. After their debut, label pressures and the grunge wave of the early ‘90s sidelined them, leading to a breakup. However, their passion never faded, and they reformed in 2001, releasing Redemption in 2009 with new guitarist Joey Brasler. Young, in a 2012 Rock Hard interview, reflected on their start: “We were just a bunch of misfits who loved Motown and Zeppelin, trying to make something honest.” Their resilience and dedication to their craft have kept them rocking, with tours across the US, Europe, and the UK. Fans can connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, there’s a vibrant fan community on Little Caesar Fan Group on Facebook, where devotees share concert photos, rare vinyl finds, and stories of meeting the band. Another fan hub, the unofficial Little Caesar Fan Site, offers a treasure trove of archived interviews, discography details, and tour updates. These spaces keep the spirit of “Woodstock” and Little Caesar’s music alive, echoing the communal vibe the Zoo Crew celebrates on air.