Born On The Bayou (Live 1989)

The Radiators’ performance of Born On The Bayou (Live 1989) from their album Live Bait captures the raw, swampy energy that defines their live shows, bringing a New Orleans flair to the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic. This track, recorded during a high-energy set, showcases the band’s ability to blend their signature “fish-head music” with the gritty, bayou-soaked vibe of the original. According to a 1988 interview in OffBeat Magazine, keyboardist Ed Volker described their approach to covers like this one as “taking a song and making it our own, like we’re cooking gumbo—same ingredients, different spice.” The 1989 live version is notable for its extended jam, with guitarist Dave Malone’s searing solos and Volker’s funky organ riffs stretching the song into a nearly 11-minute celebration of Southern rock and R&B. Fans on the Radiators Fan Group on Facebook often cite this performance as a standout, with one user recalling a 1989 show where the band played it as an encore, “turning the venue into a sweaty, dancing swamp.”

The choice to cover Born On The Bayou wasn’t random. The Radiators, hailing from New Orleans, felt a deep connection to the song’s imagery of Louisiana’s bayous and mystical hoodoo vibes. In a 1990s interview on WWOZ, bassist Reggie Scanlan mentioned that John Fogerty’s songwriting resonated with the band’s own experiences growing up near the Mississippi River, where “the air feels thick with stories and spirits.” The Live Bait recording, captured at The Caboose in 1986 but released in 1989, highlights their improvisational prowess, a hallmark of their live shows. A post on the band’s X account from 2019 celebrated the album’s 30th anniversary, noting that the Born On The Bayou track was a fan favorite at their legendary Tipitina’s gigs. The song’s gritty authenticity also earned praise from Zoo Freaks, who, according to a fan site, Radiators Everywhere, would chant along to the “hoodoo” lyrics, creating a communal vibe at shows.

The Radiators, formed in 1978 in New Orleans, got their start in a serendipitous way. Ed Volker, a poet and musician, was jamming in a garage with friends Dave Malone and Camile Baudoin, both guitarists with deep roots in the city’s music scene. As recounted on their official website, the trio’s chemistry was instant, but they needed a rhythm section to complete the sound. Enter Reggie Scanlan, a bassist fresh off a stint with Professor Longhair, and drummer Frank Bua, who brought a jazz-inflected groove. Their first gig at Luigi’s Pizzeria was a chaotic mix of R&B, blues, and originals, but the crowd’s wild response convinced them to keep going. By the early 1980s, they were a staple at venues like Tipitina’s, earning a cult following for their marathon sets and eclectic style. Their nickname, “fish-head music,” came from their fans’ quirky devotion, as noted in a 1985 Times-Picayune article, which described Zoo Freaks throwing plastic fish onstage during shows.

The band’s rise wasn’t without challenges. Early on, they struggled to break out of the regional scene, as major labels weren’t sure how to market their genre-blending sound. A post on their Facebook page from 2020 reflected on those days, with Malone joking, “We were too weird for the rock crowd, too rocking for the jazz crowd, but the Freaks got us.” Their persistence paid off with albums like Law of the Fish and Zig-Zaggin’ Through Ghostland, which cemented their reputation. The Radiators’ connection to their audience remains strong, with fan-driven platforms like the Radiators Fan Group and Radiators Everywhere keeping the community alive, sharing bootlegs and memories. Though they officially retired in 2019, their Instagram occasionally teases reunion shows, and their legacy endures through the Zoo Freaks’ unwavering love.