Black Betty

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the electrifying "Black Betty" by Ram Jam from their 1977 self-titled album Ram Jam. This hard rock anthem, a cover of an African-American work song often credited to Lead Belly, has a wild history. Originally recorded in 1933 by musicologists John and Alan Lomax at a Texas prison farm, it was performed a cappella by convict James "Iron Head" Baker. The song’s title, "Black Betty," has sparked debate over its meaning—some say it’s a whip used in Southern prisons, others claim it’s a bottle of whiskey, a musket, or even a fast car. Bill Bartlett, Ram Jam’s guitarist, added a personal twist, revealing in a Louder interview that his version was inspired by 1950s pin-up queen Bettie Page, not a literal interpretation of the folk original. The song’s raw energy made it a hit, peaking at #18 on the U.S. charts and #7 in the UK, but it stirred controversy, with the NAACP and Congress of Racial Equality calling for a boycott over its lyrics, mistakenly thinking they were racially insensitive.

Here’s a juicy tidbit for the Zoo Freaks: the version of "Black Betty" you’re hearing wasn’t even recorded by Ram Jam as a band. Bartlett originally arranged and recorded it with his earlier group, Starstruck, on their TruckStar label. It became a regional hit in Ohio, catching the ear of producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz, who formed Ram Jam around Bartlett and re-released the track. The single you’re grooving to is essentially a re-edited Starstruck recording, with the rest of the Ram Jam album featuring the full band. Fans on Reddit have raved about its infectious riff, with one user calling it “a banger” and marveling at how Ram Jam never matched its success. The song’s legacy lives on in pop culture, featured in films like Blow and The Dukes of Hazzard, and even inspired a level in the 2013 video game Rayman Legends.

Ram Jam’s story starts with Bill Bartlett, a seasoned musician from the Lemon Pipers, a 1960s bubblegum pop band known for their hit "Green Tambourine". After the Lemon Pipers fizzled out, Bartlett formed Starstruck with former bandmates Steve Walmsley and Bob Nave. Starstruck’s lineup shifted, with David Goldflies on bass and David Fleeman on drums, when Bartlett reworked "Black Betty" into a hard rock gem. The regional success of that track led producers Kasenetz and Katz to assemble Ram Jam in 1977, bringing in Howie Arthur Blauvelt on bass, Pete Charles on drums, and Myke Scavone on lead vocals. Jimmy Santoro later joined as guitarist for their second album, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Ram. Despite the success of "Black Betty," the band struggled to replicate it and disbanded after their second album flopped in 1978.

Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper into Ram Jam’s world can check out their official presence online, though the band’s activity has faded since their brief run. There’s no active official website, but you can find their music and legacy documented on platforms like AllMusic. For social media, Ram Jam doesn’t maintain official accounts, but fans keep the spirit alive. Check out the Ram Jam Facebook page for fan posts and nostalgia. Instagram has no official band account, but searching #RamJam yields fan tributes. On X, fans occasionally post about "Black Betty," like @anomalous_Iman in 2024, linking it to a Texan prison song. Fan communities thrive on Reddit, where users share stories and vinyl finds, and there’s a Ram Jam Fans Facebook group for diehards. So, Zoo Freaks, keep rocking to "Black Betty" and join the fan frenzy online!