Anytime, Anywhere

The Zoo Crew is spinning a high-energy classic for the Zoo Freaks with "Anytime, Anywhere" by Shadow King, a standout track from their 1991 self-titled debut album. This song, a hard-hitting shuffle with an explosive vocal line, features Lou Gramm’s soaring vocals and Vivian Campbell’s blistering guitar solo, often compared to Judas Priest’s “Another Thing Coming” in a review on Listal. In a rare 1991 interview with Metal-Rules, Gramm described the track as a “call to action,” with lyrics like “Just say the word and I’ll be there” capturing a sense of urgency and devotion. A fan post on a YouTube clip of the band’s live performance at the London Astoria in December 1991 praised the song’s “in-your-face” energy, noting how it electrified the crowd during their brief tour.

Further trivia about "Anytime, Anywhere" highlights its place in Shadow King’s short but impactful legacy. The song, clocking in at 4:26, was the second track on the album, produced by Keith Olsen at Goodnight LA Studios, as detailed on Discogs. Its lyrics, blending themes of a “bad, bad boy” and a “dangerous thing,” reflect the band’s playful yet edgy hard rock style, as noted on Songsear.ch. A fan discussion on MelodicRock forums highlighted the track’s infectious chorus and Campbell’s standout guitar work, with some speculating it was a highlight of the band’s live set due to its raw power. The song’s recording process, as shared in a 1991 AllMusic review, benefited from Olsen’s knack for polishing AOR tracks while keeping their grit, making it a favorite among fans of 80s hard rock.

Shadow King was a short-lived supergroup formed in 1990, featuring Lou Gramm (vocals, ex-Foreigner), Vivian Campbell (guitar, ex-Dio, Whitesnake), Bruce Turgon (bass, keyboards), and Kevin Valentine (drums, ex-The Cruisers). The band came together when Gramm, fresh off a successful run with Foreigner, sought a new creative outlet with a harder edge. As Turgon recounted in a Sleaze Roxx interview, he and Gramm, longtime collaborators, connected with Campbell through industry ties, and Valentine was brought in for his dynamic drumming. Their self-titled debut, released in 1991 on Atlantic Records, blended melodic hard rock with AOR polish, but the band dissolved soon after due to label issues and Campbell’s commitment to Def Leppard.

The origins of Shadow King trace back to Gramm and Turgon’s desire to explore a grittier sound than Foreigner’s polished hits, inspired by their love for bands like AC/DC and Bad Company. They recorded their album in Los Angeles, aiming to capture a raw, live feel, as noted in a Rock And Blues Muse retrospective. Despite their brief existence, Shadow King’s music, including "Anytime, Anywhere," left a mark on the AOR scene, with fans still celebrating their one-off album. The band has no official website or active social media, but fans can explore updates through Lou Gramm’s official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, which occasionally reference his Shadow King days.

For Zoo Freaks eager to connect with the Shadow King fanbase, online communities keep the band’s legacy alive. The Shadow King Wiki on Fandom offers detailed tracklists and band history, while the Dokken/Lynch Mob Fans Facebook group occasionally buzzes with Shadow King discussions, given Campbell’s involvement in similar 80s rock circles. Fans on MelodicRock frequently share memories of the band’s rare live shows and debate the merits of tracks like "Anytime, Anywhere," keeping the spirit of this short-lived supergroup burning bright for rock enthusiasts.