Hate to Lose Your Lovin’

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Hate to Lose Your Lovin’" by Little Feat from their 1988 album Let It Roll, firing up the Zoo Freaks in the audience. This track, the album’s opener, is a lively pastiche of Little Feat’s classic sound, blending Second-Line rhythms with funky country vibes. According to a 2023 article on movingtheriver.com, the song captures the band’s signature eclectic style, though it marked a shift with new vocalist Craig Fuller, whose country influence brought a fresh twist to their sound. Fuller’s strong vocals and songwriting shone through, as he co-wrote eight of the album’s ten songs, including this hit, which became the band’s first No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The song’s infectious energy makes it a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s vibrant airwaves.

Digging into the song’s context, Let It Roll was a comeback album for Little Feat after they reformed in 1987, following the 1979 death of original frontman Lowell George. A review notes that while the track echoes the band’s earlier bluesy, swamp-rock roots, it lacks the quirky lyricism of George’s era, like the poetic wordplay in songs such as “Down Below The Borderline.” Still, its catchy hooks and tight instrumentation made it a standout, with Fuller’s vocal delivery drawing comparisons to George’s slide guitar flair. Fans on Little Feat’s Facebook page often share nostalgia for the Let It Roll era, with some posting about catching the band live during their 1988 tour, where “Hate to Lose Your Lovin’” was a crowd-pleaser. The song’s sheet music is even available on Musicnotes.com, a testament to its enduring appeal for musicians and Zoo Freaks alike.

Little Feat got their start in 1969 in Los Angeles, California, founded by lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne, both of whom had ties to Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. George, a former Mother, met Payne, and they recruited bassist Roy Estrada, also from Zappa’s band, and drummer Richie Hayward from George’s earlier group, The Factory. According to their bio on Wikipedia, the band’s name came from a playful jab at George’s small feet by Mothers drummer Jimmy Carl Black. Their early sound fused rock, blues, jazz, country, and funk, with albums like Sailin’ Shoes and Dixie Chicken defining their New Orleans-inspired vibe. George’s bottleneck guitar and Payne’s soulful keys gave them a distinctive edge, earning praise from the likes of Jimmy Page, who called them his favorite American band in a 1975 Rolling Stone interview.

After George’s passing, the band disbanded but reunited in 1987 with new members Craig Fuller and Fred Tackett, leading to the success of Let It Roll. Their eclectic style and jam-band energy cultivated a cult following, often compared to the Grateful Dead’s fanbase. Today, Little Feat remains active, with their official website offering tour dates and merch. You can catch their latest updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on the Little Feat Fans Facebook Group, a lively community sharing concert memories and rare vinyl finds. For deeper dives, check out the fan site littlefeat.net, which doubles as their official page but is packed with fan-driven content like discographies and live show archives.