Pull The Plug

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJs from THE ZOO bringing you some far-out rock ‘n’ roll vibes! We’re spinning “Pull The Plug” by Starz from their self-titled debut album Starz. This track’s a dark, gritty banger with a two-guitar attack from Richie Ranno and Brendan Harkin that’ll shake your soul. Fun fact: the song stirred up a real storm back in ’76 because it’s about a guy unplugging his comatose wife’s life support, inspired by the Karen Anne Quinlan case, as noted on Songfacts. Lead singer Michael Lee Smith told Full in Bloom the band saw it as a bit of a novelty, but lines like “I can’t let my baby linger on in an iron lung” hit hard. Fans on Starz’s X account still rave about its creepy edge, and one Zoo Freak in the Starz Fans Facebook group shared how it freaked out their parents at a ’77 concert. Even Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe tweeted in 2019, “Such a cool song with great lyrics. Would love to cover this someday.” Talk about a tune that’s still got juice!

More cosmic trivia about “Pull The Plug” — it’s got that raw, in-your-face energy that made Starz stand out, produced by Jack Douglas, the guy behind Aerosmith’s best records. Rate Your Music fans call it the “most weirdly upbeat song about euthanasia,” with its chugging riffs and Michael’s sleazy croon. The track’s controversy led Starz to name their next album Violation, leaning into their bad-boy rep, as mentioned on Defenders of the Faith. Guitarist Richie Ranno told Louder it’s one of his proudest moments, despite the album only selling about 200,000 copies. The Starz Fan Club site has fans swapping stories about how the song’s dark pizzazz hooked them, with one recalling a ’78 Louisville show where the band played it with such intensity it felt like a horror movie soundtrack. If you’ve got a “Pull The Plug” memory, Zoo Freaks, let’s hear it!

So, how did Starz get rolling? Picture New York, 1975, with the embers of glam and early metal burning bright. The band morphed from The Looking Glass, a pop act with a 1972 hit, “Jimmy Loves Maryanne.” After their singer split, they nabbed Michael Lee Smith, a charismatic frontman, and added guitarist Brendan Harkin. Keyboardist Larry Gonsky got the boot, and in came second guitarist Richie Ranno, thanks to a nudge from KISS’s management guru, Bill Aucoin, as Ranno shared with Full in Bloom. Renamed Starz (think astrology, not ego), they signed with Capitol Records and cut their debut with Jack Douglas in ’76. Opening for heavyweights like Ted Nugent and Lynyrd Skynyrd, they built a cult following with their hooky, hard-edged sound. Despite inspiring ’80s glam bands like Mötley Crüe and Poison, as noted on AllMusic, Capitol’s shaky support kept them from superstardom. Still, their influence lives on, with Jon Bon Jovi and Lars Ulrich singing their praises.

Wanna dive deeper into the Starz universe? Check out their official website for news, merch, and reissued CDs with bonus tracks from their Fallen Angels days. They’re on Facebook and Instagram, posting live clips and throwbacks that’ll teleport you to the ’70s. Follow their X account for updates and fan love, like memories of their 2005 Starzfest, where they played their entire catalog. For more community vibes, join the Starz Fans Facebook group or visit the Starz Fan Club site, where diehards share rare photos and stories from gigs with KISS and Aerosmith. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the hard rock flame burning!