We All Die Young

The Zoo Crew is spinning the powerful track "We All Die Young" by Steelheart from their 1996 album Wait, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling its raw energy. This song carries a fascinating history, notably its prominence in the 2001 film Rock Star, where it was performed by the fictional band Steel Dragon, with Miljenko Matijevic providing the vocals for Mark Wahlberg’s character, Chris "Izzy" Cole. Interestingly, the song’s original release on September 11, 2001, led to it being sidelined promotionally due to its title, as radio stations avoided songs with the word "die" following the tragic events of that day. Despite this, its inclusion in the movie gave it a second life, cementing its status as a fan favorite.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s creation and evolution. Written by Miljenko Matijevic and former Steelheart guitarist Kenny Kanowski, "We All Die Young" marked a shift for the band, moving from their glam metal roots to a grittier, alternative metal sound on the Wait album. Fans on platforms like Reddit have noted a nod in the 2022 music video to a dramatic moment in Steelheart’s history: Matijevic’s near-fatal accident in 1992, when a 1,000-pound lighting truss fell on him during a performance, breaking his nose, cheekbone, jaw, and twisting his spine. The 2022 re-release of the song, part of Steelheart’s 30th-anniversary album, featured a lyric video and a performance video, with Matijevic reflecting on his gratitude for 30 years of music, as shared in a Blabbermouth.net interview.

Social media buzz from fans highlights the song’s enduring appeal. On Facebook, a 2020 post shared the song with lyrics, sparking comments praising Matijevic’s vocal prowess and the track’s timeless quality. Fans on SonicHits have called Matijevic one of the greatest rock vocalists, with one user born in 1969 connecting personally to the lyric "We all die young." The song’s message about living boldly resonates, as seen in comments like “Life does not wait around for you!!” The 2022 version, available on Apple Music, was praised for its fresh take, with fans on Metal Edge Magazine celebrating its orchestral elements recorded in Skopje, Macedonia.

Miljenko Matijevic, the heart and soul of Steelheart, began his musical journey in Zagreb, Croatia, where he was born on November 30, 1964. Moving to the United States at age six, he started singing in a church choir at nine, initially drawn to country music like Johnny Cash before discovering Led Zeppelin at eleven, which ignited his passion for rock. By his teens, he knew he wanted to be a rock star, as detailed on Steelheart’s official website. In the 1980s, he joined a band called Red Alert in Norwalk, Connecticut, which later became Steelheart after moving to Los Angeles and securing a record deal. The band’s self-titled debut in 1990, featuring the hit "I’ll Never Let You Go," reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200, showcasing Matijevic’s multi-octave vocal range.

Steelheart’s journey has been marked by resilience, particularly after Matijevic’s 1992 accident, which paused the band’s momentum. His recovery and return with the Wait album in 1996 demonstrated his dedication, as noted in fan discussions on the Steelheart Rocks (fan group). Matijevic also attended Berklee College of Music, graduating with a degree in Professional Music, which honed his craft. Beyond Steelheart, he performed as the lead singer for The Doors and lent his voice to projects like the film Trust In Love, inspired by his song about the Korean peninsula’s division.

Fans can connect with Steelheart through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where updates on tours and releases are shared. The Steelheart Rocks Facebook group is a vibrant community for Zoo Freaks and other fans to discuss the band’s music and legacy. Additional fan sites like SonicHits offer lyrics, videos, and fan comments, keeping the spirit of Steelheart alive.