Gypsy Blood

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to "Gypsy Blood" by Mason Ruffner, a track from his 1987 album of the same name that’s got that raw, blues-rock soul perfect for THE ZOO’s vibe. This song hit #11 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with its driving rhythm and fiery guitar work earning airplay on rock radio. In a 1987 interview, Ruffner shared that the song’s energy came from his love for the open road, with lyrics like “Take me out there on that highway / Let the wind blow in my face” capturing his restless spirit. He also gave a nod to Jimmy Page, who inspired him and gave him a big break by taking him on tour with The Firm, a connection that helped Ruffner land the deal for the Gypsy Blood album. Fun fact: the album was produced by Dave Edmunds, who also played guitar and sang backup on the title track, adding a layer of pub-rock grit to the mix.

Another cool tidbit comes from Ruffner’s own words about his influences. While some fans hear Jimi Hendrix in his vocals, especially in the howling close of “Dancin’ On Top of the World” from the same album, Ruffner insisted his singing style was rooted in blues singers. He told earofnewt.com in 1987, “Some people have said I sing like him, but I don’t really hear it. To me, my influence has really been the blues singers.” The song’s music video, featuring Ruffner at the World Trade Center, added a visual punch to its release, tying his wandering spirit to iconic imagery. Plus, the track found a second life when it was featured in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias, giving it a spot in pop culture history.

Mason Ruffner’s journey to “Gypsy Blood” started in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was born in 1947. Growing up in a strict Protestant home, he was drawn to music as a teenager, captivated by the guitar wizardry of Jimi Hendrix and the poetic songwriting of Bob Dylan. By the mid-1960s, he was digging into blues legends like Jimmy Reed, B.B. King, and Robert Johnson, while also drawing inspiration from French poets like Rimbaud and Baudelaire. At 17, he briefly moved to California but returned to Texas in the 1970s, where he honed his craft playing at Fort Worth’s Bluebird Lounge alongside Robert Ealey’s band, the Five Careless Lovers. His itch to explore led him to New Orleans in the late 1970s, where he fell under the spell of local legends like Smiley Lewis and Huey “Piano” Smith.

In New Orleans, Ruffner formed The Blues Rockers and played Bourbon Street clubs, backing icons like John Lee Hooker and Memphis Slim. His big break came in 1985 when a CBS Records scout spotted him at Club 544, leading to a contract and his debut album, Mason Ruffner, produced by Rick Derringer. The album caught the ear of critics and peers like Bruce Springsteen and Carlos Santana, who’d show up to his gigs. By 1987, Ruffner was touring with heavyweights like Jimmy Page, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and U2, and even played on Bob Dylan’s Oh Mercy album. Dylan himself praised Ruffner in his memoir Chronicles: Volume One, noting his explosive guitar licks and clever songwriting, like the line, “You do good things for people and it just makes them bad.”

You can keep up with Mason Ruffner through his official channels. Check out his website at masonruffner.com for the latest news and music. He’s also active on social media, so follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and behind-the-scenes vibes. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect with other fans, there’s a dedicated Mason Ruffner Fans Facebook group where you can share your love for his music and swap stories about tracks like “Gypsy Blood.” So, crank up the volume and let that gypsy spirit fly, Zoo Crew!