Open All Night

The Zoo Crew is spinning the raw, rollicking energy of "Open All Night" by The Georgia Satellites from their 1988 album of the same name, and Zoo Freaks, this one’s got some stories behind it. Frontman Dan Baird wrote the title track on the same day as their biggest hit, "Keep Your Hands to Yourself", showcasing his knack for cranking out gritty Southern rock anthems in a single burst of inspiration. The song’s driving rhythm and rebellious vibe made it a staple of their live shows, with Baird later reflecting in a 2016 Rolling Stone interview that the band’s sound was about capturing the “sweat and swagger” of rock’s roots. Critics like Robert Christgau noted the band’s attempt to channel the Rolling Stones’ energy, but with a distinctly Southern, good ol’ boy charm, packed with roadside imagery and three-chord grit.

Another tidbit from the album’s production: Ian McLagan, the legendary keyboardist from The Small Faces and The Rolling Stones, laid down piano tracks for three songs, including the title track, adding a subtle layer of rock royalty to the mix. The band promoted Open All Night by opening for Robert Plant on his 1988 North American tour, a gig that Baird described in a 1989 radio interview as “like trying to outshine a supernova.” Despite the album peaking at No. 77 on the Billboard 200 and the single failing to chart, fans on platforms like Rate Your Music still rave about tracks like “Sheila” and “Mon Cheri,” calling the album a criminally underrated gem of 80s rock.

The Georgia Satellites got their start in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1980, born out of a group of musicians who’d been kicking around the local scene. Originally called Keith and the Satellites, the band included Dan Baird on vocals and guitar, Rick Richards on lead guitar, Dave Hewitt on bass, and Randy DeLay on drums. They honed their raw, Chuck Berry-inspired sound in dive bars, drawing from influences like Little Feat and AC/DC. By 1984, they’d recorded a demo at Axis Studios in Atlanta, but the band briefly split, feeling they’d hit a dead end. Their English manager, Kevin Jennings, shopped the demo to a small London label, Making Waves, which released it as the Keep the Faith EP in 1985. Positive press response convinced the band to reform, and they landed a deal with Elektra Records. Their 1986 self-titled debut, with the near-chart-topping “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” catapulted them to fame, cementing their place in Southern rock history.

Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper into The Georgia Satellites can check out their official presence online. While the band doesn’t maintain an active official website, you can follow their updates on Facebook for news and throwback posts. Their Instagram offers glimpses of live performances and fan appreciation, though it’s less frequently updated. On X, the band shares occasional posts about gigs and rock history. Fans gather at sites like Discogs for detailed discography info and rare vinyl hunts. There’s also an active Facebook group, “Georgia Satellites Fans,” where Zoo Freaks can swap stories, share bootlegs, and celebrate the band’s raucous legacy.