Nazarene

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, gather 'round the turntable because we've got a real gem spinning today on THE ZOO. We're diving into the groovy vibes of "Nazarene" by that killer supergroup Paris from back in the '70s. You know, the one with Bob Welch cranking the guitar after he split from Fleetwood Mac, teamed up with Glenn Cornick on bass from Jethro Tull, and Thom Mooney banging the drums from The Nazz. This track's off their self-titled debut album, and man, it's got that hard rock punch mixed with some psychedelic soul-searching that just hits the spirit right.

Let's talk some far-out trivia about "Nazarene." Bob Welch wrote all the tunes on that album, and this one's a standout rocker that channels a bit of that Led Zeppelin thunder, but with Welch's own twist of mystery and emotion. The lyrics paint this picture of a guy lost and searching for his "Nazarene," who's like this embodiment of love, ecstasy, and a touch of the divine. Lines like "She was the sweet perfume that the summer wind has / When it takes you under and holds you fast" – whew, that's pure poetry, folks. It's got spiritual themes woven in, maybe nodding to Jesus of Nazareth, but flipped into this tale of a lost love that's got him frozen inside. Reviewers back then dug how it showcased Welch's guitar chops and the band's tight groove, with Cornick's bass lines adding that extra depth. One cat in a classic rock review called the whole album a "cult classic" and praised Welch's vocals and solos, saying it was some of his best work ever.

From what we've dug up in old interviews, Bob was all about breaking free from the Fleetwood Mac sound and going harder. In a chat with Leif Erickson back in 2004, he talked about how Paris let him explore that raw energy. No direct quotes on "Nazarene" specifically, but he mentioned loving the power trio setup and how it reminded him of his idols. On social media, fans still rave about it – like in Bob Welch fan groups on Facebook, where folks share stories of discovering the album in dusty record bins and how tracks like this one blew their minds with its blend of hard rock and introspective lyrics. One post recalled a live bootleg from Detroit in '76 where the band tore through the set, and "Nazarene" had the crowd in a trance. It's like the song captures that '70s quest for something deeper, you know? Peace, love, and a little cosmic searching.

There's this cool story from a YouTube deep dive on the band – the narrator, Brian Fox, shared how Paris was Bob's way to show his Zeppelin fandom. He quoted Welch's wife after his passing, saying Bob absolutely loved his Paris days. Fans in comments remember seeing them live at places like The Fleetwood Club in Redondo Beach, where the energy was electric. And get this, the album peaked at #103 on the charts, but it's gained cult status over the years. No big hits, but "Nazarene" is often highlighted as a hidden treasure for its churning riffs and heartfelt plea. If you're into that era's sound, it's like a bridge between bluesy rock and something more ethereal.

Now, shifting gears a bit, let's groove on how this band Paris got its start. It all kicked off in 1975 when Bob Welch decided to peace out from Fleetwood Mac after four years and five albums. He'd joined them in '71, right after Peter Green left, and helped keep the ship afloat through tough times – writing tunes like "Sentimental Lady" and "Hypnotized." But Bob wanted to rock harder, explore that power trio vibe. He hooked up with Glenn Cornick, who'd just left Jethro Tull after their early classics like "Aqualung." Glenn had formed his own band Wild Turkey but was ready for something new. Then there's Thom Mooney, fresh from Todd Rundgren's Nazz, bringing that solid beat.

The three of them jammed in L.A., and boom – Paris was born. Bob was the main songwriter and frontman, drawing from his blues roots and psychedelic influences. They signed with Capitol Records quick, recorded the debut in '75 at The Record Plant, with Jimmy Robinson producing. It dropped in January '76, full of hard-hitting tracks with themes of religion, youth, and cosmic stuff. They toured heavy, opening for big acts like Blue Öyster Cult, Rush, and Thin Lizzy, building a following with their intense live shows. But after the first album, Thom Mooney split, and Hunt Sales (yeah, Tony Sales' brother, later with Bowie in Tin Machine) jumped in on drums for the second record, "Big Towne, 2061," which went more funk-rock.

Glenn Cornick bowed out too, replaced by Tony Sales on bass. They planned a third album, but Hunt got sick, and Capitol saw more potential in Bob as a solo artist. So, Paris folded in '77, and those tracks morphed into Bob's smash solo debut "French Kiss," with hits like "Ebony Eyes." Bob went on to a solid solo career, but he always cherished Paris as his rock rebellion phase. In forums and fan chats, like on Fleetwood Mac's Ledge, his widow Wendy shared that the band broke up mainly 'cause of that solo deal, but Bob was proud of what they created. Glenn moved to the States, reformed Wild Turkey in the '90s, and passed in 2014. Thom did a Nazz reunion later. It's a short but sweet chapter in rock history, full of what-ifs.

Sadly, Bob left us in 2012, but his legacy lives on through fan communities keeping the flame alive. Check out the official Bob Welch website at bobwelchwriter.com – wait, hold up, that's for the author guy, not our musician. Scratch that; no active official site since his passing, but dive into his bio on AllMusic or Wikipedia for more. For social vibes, there's no official Facebook, but join the fan group at Bob Welch Fans on Facebook, where they push for his Rock Hall induction and share stories about Paris and his Mac days. No official Instagram or X accounts, but fans post clips and memories there too. Another active fan spot is the collector group on Facebook at Vinyl Collectors, with posts about his albums like "French Kiss."

If you're craving more rock tales, swing by THE ZOO for all your groovy needs. Keep the peace, Zoo Freaks, and let "Nazarene" take you on that spiritual ride. Spin it loud!