Fly To The Angels (Acoustic Version)

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy Zoo Crew spinning some soulful vibes tonight with the acoustic version of Fly To The Angels by Slaughter from their killer debut album Stick It to Ya. This track’s a real heart-tugger, and the story behind it is heavy, man. In a 2017 interview with AXS, frontman Mark Slaughter shared that he wrote this power ballad about a high school girlfriend who tragically passed away. He’d just returned from touring, tried to reconnect, and got the devastating news that she was gone, with her funeral the next day. That raw emotion poured into the song, capturing the pain of letting go while celebrating her light—like that line about her smile that “could light up the world.” It’s a requiem that resonates, and fans on platforms like Reddit’s r/hairmetal have called it a universal outlet for grief, with one Zoo Freak from Wasilla, Alaska, saying it’s a song they belt out to honor loved ones lost.

Now, let’s talk about that acoustic vibe we’re digging tonight. The stripped-down version of Fly To The Angels trades some of the original’s electric edge for a raw, intimate feel, letting Mark’s vocals—scratchy and soulful—really shine. The song itself was a monster hit, topping charts in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the UK, and it’s the only Slaughter single to go platinum, as noted on Genius. But there’s a bit of mystery too—some folks, like a fan named Bill from Georgia, recall bassist Dana Strum saying the song was for a close friend named Cyndi Romano. Whether it’s one story or both, it’s clear this tune carries deep personal weight for the band, making it a standout in the hair metal scene just as grunge was about to shake things up.

Let’s rewind to how Slaughter got their start, ‘cause these cats clawed their way to the top. Formed in Las Vegas in 1988, the band was built around lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum, both fresh off stints with the Vinnie Vincent Invasion. According to Wikipedia, their old label, Chrysalis Records, yanked a $4 million contract from Vinnie Vincent for overspending and handed it to Mark and Dana. They rounded out the lineup with guitarist Tim Kelly and drummer Blas Elias, and by 1989, they were ready to rock. Their debut Stick It to Ya dropped in 1990, hitting double platinum with bangers like Up All Night and, of course, Fly To The Angels. Despite being pegged as an ‘80s hair band, all their albums came out in the ‘90s, and they kept the faith through tough times, like Tim Kelly’s tragic death in a 1998 car accident. They brought in Jeff Blando and kept touring, staying true to their high-energy roots.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Slaughter on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour dates and throwbacks to their glory days. Fans are still wild about them—check out the Slaughter Fan Club on Facebook for some serious love from the Zoo Freak community. There’s also Hair and Flannel, a fan site dishing out reviews and retro vibes for all things hair metal. So, crank up this acoustic gem, let it take you to the heavens, and keep rocking with the Zoo Crew!