Rock ’N’ Roll Susie

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious riffs of "Rock 'N' Roll Susie" by the Pat Travers Band, a standout track from the 1977 album Makin' Magic, and the Zoo Freaks are surely digging the vibe. This fist-pumping rocker, clocking in at 3:39, captures the raw energy of Travers' blues-rock style, with searing guitar solos and a driving rhythm that screams classic rock. One piece of trivia that adds to the song’s legacy is its live performance history. A 2011 YouTube clip from Rib America in St. Louis shows the band tearing through "Rock 'N' Roll Susie," proving its enduring appeal decades later. Fans on platforms like Facebook have shared clips of a 1977 Rockpalast performance in Cologne, where the song’s gritty swagger electrified audiences, cementing its status as a live favorite. The track’s lyrics, with lines like “I’m gonna pick up Susie, don’t you know it’s gonna be all right,” exude a carefree, rebellious spirit that resonates with the song’s old-school yet timeless feel, as noted on Genius.

Another tidbit comes from the album’s reviews, like those on Rate Your Music, where fans praise "Rock 'N' Roll Susie" for its ability to sound both vintage and contemporary for its time. The song’s guitar runs, led by Travers’ fiery fretwork, draw comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, with some reviewers speculating that the album’s title track references Hendrix’s “Purple Haze,” though it’s unclear if this influenced "Susie." The song’s place on Makin' Magic, alongside tracks like a blistering cover of “Statesboro Blues” featuring slide guitarist Brian Robertson, highlights the album’s role in establishing Travers as a guitar hero. Fans in the Pat Travers Band Fans Worldwide Facebook group often share stories of catching the song live, with one member recalling a 1980 Reading Festival performance where “Susie” kicked off a set that left the crowd roaring.

Pat Travers, born Patrick Henry Travers on April 12, 1954, in Toronto, Canada, began his musical journey at a young age, inspired by a life-changing Jimi Hendrix performance in Ottawa at age 12. As detailed on Canadian Classic Rock, Travers picked up the guitar shortly after and honed his skills playing in local bands. By his late teens, he was gigging with 50s rockabilly artist Ronnie Hawkins, sharpening his stage presence and guitar chops. At 20, Travers moved to London, chasing his dream of leading his own band. Armed with a Marshall amp and a wah-wah pedal, he recorded a demo that landed a deal with Polydor Records. His 1976 self-titled debut, featuring bassist Mars Cowling and drummer Roy Dyke, showcased his blues-rock prowess, but it was Makin' Magic and its follow-up, Putting It Straight, that catapulted him to fame with hits like “Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights).”

Travers’ early shows were known for their accessibility, with antics like giving away cardboard replicas of his black Fender Telecaster and inviting fans for “air guitar” contests on stage, as noted on Canadian Classic Rock. His relentless touring, including a memorable 1978 Oakland Coliseum gig with AC/DC and Van Halen, built a loyal fanbase. Today, Travers continues to tour and record, often with his wife Monica on backup vocals, and his music remains a staple for rock purists. You can keep up with him on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on sites like Pat Travers Band Fans and the Pat Travers Band Fans Worldwide Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks might find kindred spirits sharing vinyl finds and concert memories.