18 and Life

The Zoo Crew is spinning "18 and Life" by Skid Row, a track that’s packed with gritty storytelling and raw energy. One juicy tidbit from a YouTube interview with guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo reveals the song’s origins weren’t quite what fans long believed. For years, people thought Sabo drew inspiration from a newspaper story about an 18-year-old named Ricky who accidentally shot his friend, thinking the gun wasn’t loaded, and got life in prison. But Sabo clarified it was actually rooted in something more personal—his brother’s struggles after returning from Vietnam, which evolved into the fictional tale of Ricky during the writing process. The song’s heavy vibe and tragic narrative hit hard, climbing to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning gold status with over 500,000 copies sold.

Another cool story comes from the song’s music video, directed by Wayne Isham, a big name in the hair metal scene. The video, super literal in showing Ricky’s rough life and the accidental shooting, became a massive MTV staple, boosting Skid Row’s fame. Fans on platforms like Reddit have shared how the song spooked them as kids, with its dark tale of a life sentence at such a young age. In 2023, the band leaned into its legacy by launching an "18 and Life" cover song challenge on social media, inviting fans to post their versions with the hashtag #18AndLife for a chance to win a Dave Sabo signature guitar. It was a nod to how the song still resonates, especially since their current singer, Erik Grönwall, first caught attention covering it on "Swedish Idol" back in 2009.

Skid Row kicked off in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey, when bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave Sabo teamed up with a shared love for raw, unpolished rock. They pieced together the lineup with guitarist Scotti Hill and drummer Rob Affuso, initially fronted by singer Matt Fallon. But it wasn’t until they spotted 18-year-old Sebastian Bach belting it out at a wedding that they found their spark. Bach joined in 1987, and his wild energy and killer pipes helped shape their debut album, which dropped in 1989 and went five-times platinum. A big break came through Sabo’s childhood friend Jon Bon Jovi, who got them a publishing deal and a spot opening for Bon Jovi’s New Jersey tour, launching them into the spotlight.

You can keep up with Skid Row on their official website, where they post tour dates and merch, or check out their socials for the latest: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans are pretty active online too. There’s a solid community at the Skid Row Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and memories. Another spot is Sebastian Bach’s fan forum, which still buzzes with chatter about the band’s glory days, even though Bach hasn’t been with them since 1996.