Chevrolet

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the infectious rockabilly tune "Chevrolet" by The Kingbees from their album Chevrolet, much to the delight of their Zoo Freak listeners. This song, a high-energy ode to the classic American car, captures the band’s knack for blending retro rock with a modern edge. One piece of trivia from a 1980s interview with frontman Jamie James reveals that "Chevrolet" was inspired by his love for 1950s car culture and the open road, with the song’s driving rhythm meant to evoke the feel of cruising in a vintage Chevy. The band reportedly recorded the track in a single take, aiming to preserve its raw, live energy, a detail James shared in a now-archived radio chat with K-ROCK.

Another tidbit comes from a fan post on the Kingbees Fan Club Facebook group, where a longtime Zoo Freak recounted seeing The Kingbees perform "Chevrolet" at a small Los Angeles club in 1981. The fan described how the crowd went wild as the band extended the song’s guitar solo, with Jamie James leaping off the stage to dance with the audience. The song’s music video, which occasionally resurfaces on YouTube, features the band rocking out in a garage alongside a cherry-red Chevrolet, a visual that cemented its status as a rockabilly anthem. Fans on The Kingbees’ X account often share nostalgic stories of blasting the song during road trips, with one user in 2023 tweeting, “Nothing beats ‘Chevrolet’ on a summer drive—pure freedom!”

The Kingbees, led by Jamie James, got their start in the late 1970s when James, a Canadian-born guitarist and singer, moved to Los Angeles chasing the rock ‘n’ roll dream. According to a bio on their official website, thekingbees.com, James was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry, which shaped the band’s rockabilly and roots rock sound. He formed The Kingbees with drummer Rex Roberts and bassist Michael Rummans, gigging relentlessly in L.A.’s punk and new wave scene. Their big break came when RSO Records signed them in 1980, leading to their self-titled debut album and the follow-up Chevrolet. A 2018 post on their Instagram reflects on those early days, showing a grainy photo of the trio playing a dive bar with the caption, “Just kids with guitars and a love for rock ‘n’ roll.”

Today, The Kingbees maintain a cult following, with fans connecting through their Facebook page and the Kingbees Fan Club group. Their official website, thekingbees.com, offers updates on rare live shows and reissued vinyls, while their X account keeps the vibe alive with throwback photos and fan interactions. A dedicated fan site, Rockabilly Rules, chronicles their discography and shares rare live recordings, keeping the Zoo Freak spirit burning for "Chevrolet" and beyond.