Song & Emotion

Greetings, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning the soulful vibes of Song & Emotion by Tesla from their 1991 album Psychotic Supper, and we’ve got some righteous trivia to share. This track is a heartfelt tribute to Steve “Steamin’” Clark, the late guitarist of Def Leppard, who passed away in January 1991. Tesla’s guitarist Tommy Skeoch, a huge Def Leppard fan, poured his admiration into the song, even channeling Clark’s iconic Gods of War style with an E-bow solo—listen for that haunting wail about halfway through! The band shared management with Def Leppard and had opened for them, making Clark’s loss deeply personal. In a 2013 review on mikeladano.com, the song’s mournful, bluesy buildup was praised for its emotional depth, slowly exploding into a heavier rhythm while keeping its soulful core. Fans on X have echoed this love, with posts celebrating Psychotic Supper’s 30th anniversary in 2021, calling out Song & Emotion as a standout for its raw feeling.

Now, let’s rewind to how Tesla got their spark. Hailing from Sacramento, California, the band started as City Kidd in late 1981, founded by bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon. By 1984, vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarist Tommy Skeoch, and drummer Troy Luccketta rounded out the classic lineup. They ditched the City Kidd name—another band had a similar one—and adopted Tesla, inspired by the brilliant inventor Nikola Tesla. Their debut album, Mechanical Resonance, dropped in 1986, riding the hair metal wave with hits like Modern Day Cowboy and a cover of Little Suzi. But Tesla stood out with their bluesy, 1970s-inspired sound, influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin and Bad Company, as Brian Wheat noted in interviews. Their 1989 album The Great Radio Controversy cemented their fame with the top-ten single Love Song, and by the time Psychotic Supper hit in 1991, they were at their creative peak, blending raw rock with acoustic grit.

Want to keep up with Tesla? Check out their official website for tour dates and merch. They’re active on Facebook, sharing live performance clips and fan shoutouts, and on Instagram, where they post throwbacks and tour photos. Follow their X account for real-time updates, like their 2023 post celebrating Psychotic Supper’s platinum status and their live album Full Throttle Live. Zoo Freaks can also connect with fellow fans on the Tesla Fans Facebook Group, a lively spot for sharing concert stories and rare vinyl finds. For more fan vibes, Tesla Science Center dives into the band’s namesake, though it’s more about Nikola than the rockers. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!