Live and Die Rock and Roll

The song "Live and Die Rock and Roll" from Ray Wylie Hubbard's 2006 album Snake Farm is a gritty anthem that captures the raw spirit of rock music. In a 2020 Austin City Limits performance, Hubbard introduced the song with his signature humor, noting its place in his bluesy, swamp-rock repertoire alongside the album's title track. The lyrics, packed with references to icons like J.J. Cale, Hendrix, and The Rolling Stones, reflect Hubbard's lifelong love for rock's rebellious edge. He once shared on Facebook that the song's "Stratocaster heart and high watt soul" line was inspired by a late-night jam session with his son Lucas, who plays lead guitar in his band. Hubbard described the track as a tribute to the untamed energy of live performances, where "blood leaks down my arm and hand" evokes the physicality of pouring everything into a show.

Another piece of trivia comes from a 2015 Lone Star Music Magazine interview, where Hubbard mentioned that the song's recording was a spontaneous affair. The band laid down the track in just a few takes, aiming to capture the raw, unpolished vibe of a dive-bar gig. Fans on the r/altcountry Reddit community have praised the song's infectious groove, with one user calling it "the perfect soundtrack for a midnight drive on Highway 61." Hubbard's Instagram posts often highlight fan reactions, including a memorable comment from a Zoo Freak who said the song made them feel like they were "dancing with the devil under a neon moon."

Ray Wylie Hubbard's journey as an artist began in Soper, Oklahoma, where he was born on November 13, 1946. His family moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1954, and as a teenager, he attended W.H. Adamson High School alongside future cosmic cowboy Michael Martin Murphey. Hubbard's early passion for music led him to North Texas State University as an English major, but his summers in Red River, New Mexico, shaped his career. There, he played folk music with a trio called Three Faces West, immersing himself in the 1960s counterculture. During this time, he wrote "Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother," a satirical anthem that became a hit for Jerry Jeff Walker in 1973. The song's success earned Hubbard a deal with Warner Bros. Records, launching his recording career with the 1976 album Ray Wylie Hubbard and the Cowboy Twinkies, though he later disavowed its overproduced sound.

Hubbard's official website, raywylie.com, offers tour dates, merchandise, and insights into his latest projects. Fans can connect with him on social media through his Facebook page, where he shares tour stories and witty banter, and his Instagram, which features behind-the-scenes glimpses of his life on the road. On X, Hubbard engages with Zoo Freaks and other fans, often posting about his love for vintage guitars and Texas dive bars. Dedicated fan communities include the Ray Wylie Hubbard Fans Facebook Group, where Zoo Freaks swap concert photos and discuss favorite tracks like "Live and Die Rock and Roll." Another hub is thezoorocks.com, a fan site with trivia and stories about Hubbard's music, including his Snake Farm era.