Open Up And Say...Ahh!

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins "Fallen Angel" by Poison from their iconic album Open Up and Say... Ahh! This 1988 glam metal anthem, the second single from the album, hit #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and tells the story of a small-town girl chasing dreams in Los Angeles, only to face harsh realities. The song’s narrative mirrors Poison’s own journey, as band members Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett left their native Pennsylvania for the bright lights of L.A. to chase fame. In a 1988 interview clip, Bret Michaels shared that the band wrote the plot for the "Fallen Angel" music video, directed by Marty Callner, emphasizing their hands-on approach to storytelling. The video, a staple on MTV, starred Michaels’ then-girlfriend, 19-year-old actress-singer Susie Hatton, as the aspiring model. Fans on X still rave about the video’s heavy rotation, with one post calling it the "Citizen Kane of Poison videos" for its dramatic flair.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the song’s cultural impact. The "Fallen Angel" video, featuring Hatton navigating a sleazy modeling agency, was so iconic that it landed on MTV’s top 100 list for 1988, sandwiched between Bruce Springsteen and Bobby Brown. However, not all was smooth sailing—church and parental groups sparked controversy over the album’s original cover, which depicted model “Bambi” as a red demon with a protruding tongue. This led to a censored version for U.S. releases, obscuring most of Bambi’s face. On Poison’s Facebook, fans often share nostalgic memories of the uncensored vinyl, with one Poison Fan Club group member boasting about owning the original pressing. In 2011, the song hit a legal snag when members of the band Kid Rocker claimed "Fallen Angel" and other Poison tracks were based on their audition material, though the lawsuit didn’t derail the song’s legacy.

Poison’s journey to stardom began in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where Bret Michaels (vocals), C.C. DeVille (guitar), Bobby Dall (bass), and Rikki Rockett (drums) formed the band in 1983 under the name Paris. Inspired by the raw energy of bands like KISS, they honed their glam metal sound in local clubs before relocating to Los Angeles in 1984. The Sunset Strip became their playground, where they adopted the name Poison and built a following with their high-energy shows and flamboyant style—think big hair, heavy makeup, and leather galore. Their 1986 debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, went multi-platinum, but it was Open Up and Say... Ahh! that cemented their status, selling over eight million copies worldwide. The band’s knack for blending hard rock with catchy hooks made them MTV darlings, with Michaels’ charisma and DeVille’s shredding solos defining their sound. Despite lineup changes and the grunge wave of the ‘90s, Poison’s legacy endures, with over 30 million records sold globally.

For more Poison goodness, check out their official website for tour dates and merch. Connect with the band on Facebook, where they post throwback photos and tour updates, or follow their Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses of Bret Michaels and crew. On X, Poison engages with fans, sharing memories of their ‘80s heyday. Zoo Freaks can also join the Poison Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant community swapping stories, rare vinyl pics, and concert plans. For deeper dives, fan sites like PoisonWeb offer discographies and vintage interviews. So, keep rocking with The Zoo Crew, and let "Fallen Angel" take you back to the wild ‘80s!