To Bad on Your Birthday

Little is documented about the song "Too Bad on Your Birthday" by Ram Jam from their 1977 self-titled debut album. Unlike their hit "Black Betty," which sparked controversy and a boycott from groups like the NAACP and CORE for its lyrics, "Too Bad on Your Birthday" flew under the radar. No specific interviews or social media posts from the band directly reference the track, and its lack of chart success meant it garnered minimal attention. However, the song’s gritty, upbeat rock vibe fits the Zoo Crew’s hippie DJ aesthetic, likely appealing to their Zoo Freaks audience for its raw energy. Trivia about the album notes that Ram Jam reached No. 34 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, with "Black Betty" hitting No. 7 in the UK, suggesting the album had a broader reach than its lesser-known tracks like "Too Bad on Your Birthday" imply. The song’s playful, tongue-in-cheek tone about birthday woes could resonate with the Zoo Crew’s eclectic, fun-loving spin style.

Ram Jam formed in New York City in 1977, centered around guitarist Bill Bartlett, who brought the band’s defining sound from his earlier work. Bartlett had been the lead guitarist for the bubblegum pop group The Lemon Pipers, known for their 1968 hit "Green Tambourine." After leaving The Lemon Pipers, Bartlett joined a band called Starstruck, where he arranged and recorded a version of Lead Belly’s "Black Betty." This track, initially released on Starstruck’s own TruckStar label, became a regional hit. Producers in New York caught wind of it, forming Ram Jam around Bartlett to capitalize on the song’s potential. The band, originally called Creekside Killshack, included Howie Arthur Blauvelt on bass, Pete Charles on drums, and Myke Scavone on lead vocals, with Jimmy Santoro later joining on guitar for their second album.

The re-recorded "Black Betty" by Ram Jam became a national hit, reaching No. 18 on the U.S. singles chart and cracking the top ten in the UK and Australia. Despite the controversy over its lyrics, the song defined the band’s short-lived career. Ram Jam released two albums—Ram Jam (1977) and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Ram (1978)—but disbanded soon after due to lackluster success with their follow-up work. Bartlett later reinvented himself as a boogie-woogie pianist, while Scavone resurfaced in the 2000s with his garage rock band The Doughboys. Blauvelt, who had played with Billy Joel in earlier bands like The Hassles, passed away in 1993, and drummer Pete Charles died in 2002.

Ram Jam does not have an active official website, as the band dissolved in the late 1970s. No verified Facebook or Instagram accounts exist for the band, reflecting their pre-social media era. On X, no official band account is present, though fans occasionally post about "Black Betty" or share retro rock playlists that include Ram Jam. Fan websites are scarce, but AllMusic provides a detailed discography and bio for enthusiasts. No active Facebook groups dedicated to Ram Jam were found, though classic rock communities on the platform sometimes discuss the band’s work. The lack of a robust online presence underscores Ram Jam’s status as a cult favorite, kept alive by fans like the Zoo Freaks spinning tracks like "Too Bad on Your Birthday."