One in a Million

The Zoo Crew is spinning the nostalgic track "One in a Million" by RTZ from their 1998 album Lost, a gem for all the Zoo Freaks tuning in. This song, with its soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics, captures the AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) essence that RTZ was known for. While specific interviews or social media posts about "One in a Million" are scarce, the album Lost itself has an intriguing backstory. After RTZ's debut album Return to Zero in 1991, which spawned the Top 30 hit "Until Your Love Comes Back Around," the band faced challenges with their label, leading to a split. However, enough material from those early recording sessions survived, and guitarist Barry Goudreau tirelessly shopped for a new label, eventually landing with MTM Records to release Lost. The song "One in a Million" reflects the band’s resilience, blending Brad Delp’s emotive vocals with Goudreau’s polished guitar work, creating a track that feels both timeless and reflective of their struggle to keep the music alive.

Delving into RTZ’s origins, the band was born from a collaboration between Boston members Brad Delp and Barry Goudreau around 1989. Delp, on hiatus from Boston, was eager to dive back into songwriting, while Goudreau, who had left Boston after their early success, remained a close collaborator. Their friendship traced back to Boston’s formative years, with Delp contributing to Goudreau’s 1980 solo album and the 1984 Orion the Hunter project. RTZ came together when Delp reached out to Goudreau, and they recruited keyboardist Brian Maes, drummer Dave Stefanelli, and bassist Tim Archibald, the latter two having worked with producer Nick Lowe, while Maes was part of Orion the Hunter’s touring band. This lineup crafted a sound that married Boston’s melodic rock with a more accessible, radio-friendly edge. Their debut album, released in 1991, marked RTZ as a promising act, though Delp’s return to Boston for the 1994 Walk On tour paused the band’s momentum.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with RTZ’s legacy, the band’s official presence is tied to Barry Goudreau’s website, barrygoudreau.com/rtz, which offers insights into the band’s history and discography. Social media accounts specifically for RTZ are limited, but fans can follow Barry Goudreau on Facebook and Instagram for updates on his projects, including RTZ-related posts. There’s no official RTZ X account, but searching the platform for fan discussions often yields nostalgic threads about the band. For community engagement, the RTZ Fans Facebook Group is a vibrant space where enthusiasts share memories, rare tracks, and updates about the band’s music. While fan websites are less common, Rate Your Music provides a detailed discography and fan reviews, making it a great resource for discovering more about RTZ’s catalog.