Wrapped Up in Love, Again

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, your favorite hippie DJs from THE ZOO are spinning a soulful track today, "Wrapped Up in Love, Again" by Rickey Medlocke, featured on the 1993 album L.A. Blues Authority Vol. IV: Fit for a King. This song is a tribute to the legendary bluesman Albert King, showcasing Medlocke’s gritty vocals and searing guitar riffs. Did you know this album brought together heavy hitters like Leslie West, Frank Marino, and Pat Travers to honor King’s legacy? In a 2016 interview with Blues.Gr, Medlocke shared his deep connection to the blues, saying, “The blues is where rock 'n roll came from… it’s about real things, honest subject matter.” He noted that his own life experiences, including his Native American roots, infuse his music with authenticity, making this track a heartfelt nod to love’s raw emotions.

Fun trivia alert: Rickey Medlocke recorded "Wrapped Up in Love, Again" during a time when he was balancing his work with Blackfoot and gearing up to rejoin Lynyrd Skynyrd. According to a Songfacts interview, Medlocke’s bluesy style was heavily influenced by his grandfather, Shorty Medlocke, a Delta blues musician who taught him to play a miniature banjo at age three. Fans on Rickey Medlocke Band’s Facebook have posted about how this song captures the essence of Albert King’s soulful vibe, with one fan calling it “a love letter to the blues that hits you right in the heart.” It’s no wonder this track resonates with our Zoo Freaks who love that deep, groovy sound!

Let’s dive into how Rickey Medlocke got his start. Born on February 17, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida, he was raised by his maternal grandparents after being adopted. His grandfather, Paul “Shorty” Medlocke, was a well-known Delta blues and country musician who played with Nashville greats like Roy Acuff. As shared on Wikipedia, Rickey was a musical prodigy, performing onstage at three and mastering the banjo, guitar, and drums by his teens. By age five, he was teaching himself guitar, and by eight, he was drumming in Shorty’s band. In a 2019 interview with Blues and Music News, Medlocke recalled, “My grandparents let me express myself through music… they knew that’s all I was going to do in my life.” This early immersion led him to form his first band, Fresh Garbage, after high school, which soon evolved into Blackfoot.

Medlocke’s career took off when he joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1971 as a drummer and vocalist, contributing to songs like “White Dove” before returning to Blackfoot in 1972 as its frontman and guitarist. Blackfoot scored hits like “Train, Train” (written by Shorty) and “Highway Song,” cementing Medlocke’s status as a Southern rock icon. He rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996 as a guitarist, where he continues to tour and record. His Native American heritage—his father was full Lakota Sioux, and his mother was half Cherokee—remains a source of pride, as noted in a 2019 Blues and Music News interview where he spoke of “carrying the torch” for his roots.

Want to keep up with Rickey Medlocke? Check out his official website for tour dates, merch, and news, like his recent single “Rise Again” supporting the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement. Follow him on Facebook, where he shares updates and interacts with fans, or on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos. His X account is the place for real-time chats with the man himself. Zoo Freaks can also join fan communities like the Blackfoot Fans Facebook Group or visit Swampland, a Southern rock fan site with articles on Medlocke’s career. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks, and stay wrapped up in the love of this killer tune!