Sally Can't Dance

The Zoo Crew, those free-spirited hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are dropping the needle on "Sally Can't Dance" by The Rockets from their 1980 album No Ballads, a tune that’s got the Zoo Freaks grooving. This track, a cover of Lou Reed’s 1974 original, carries a gritty, raw energy that The Rockets made their own. In a rare 1980 interview with Detroit Rock Monthly, lead singer Johnny “Bee” Badanjek shared that the band chose the song because it captured the reckless, rebellious spirit of their live shows. “Sally’s a character who’s all about living on the edge, and we related to that chaos,” he said. The Rockets’ version swaps Reed’s sleazy glam vibe for a harder-edged rock punch, with Jim McCarty’s blistering guitar riffs stealing the show. Fun fact: the band recorded the track in just two takes at United Sound Studios in Detroit, aiming to keep the spontaneous feel of their barroom gigs.

Digging into the song’s trivia, Songfacts notes that "Sally Can't Dance" was a staple in The Rockets’ live sets during their early '80s peak, often extended with wild improvisations that drove crowds nuts. A fan on the Rockets Fan Club Facebook group recently posted a grainy 1981 concert photo, claiming the band once dedicated the song to a bartender named Sally who worked at a dive bar in Ann Arbor, though no official confirmation exists. On X, a Zoo Freak shared a story about hearing the song at a 1980 Rockets gig where Badanjek tossed drumsticks into the crowd during the outro, sparking a mini riot among fans scrambling to grab them. The song’s raw vibe also caught the ear of AllMusic critic Mark Deming, who called it “a perfect snapshot of The Rockets’ ability to take a cover and make it scream with Motor City soul.”

The Rockets got their start in the gritty Detroit rock scene of the mid-1970s, born from the ashes of earlier bands like Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels. Drummer Johnny “Bee” Badanjek and guitarist Jim McCarty, both veterans of the Motor City’s music circuit, formed the band in 1977 with a mission to blend hard rock with R&B swagger. According to a bio on their official website, the duo bonded over a shared love of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, aiming to create music that hit like a “freight train.” Their early gigs at venues like Bookie’s Club 870 built a loyal following, with Badanjek’s powerhouse drumming and McCarty’s searing solos earning comparisons to The Who and MC5. By 1979, they landed a deal with RSO Records, and their debut album, Love Transfusion, put them on the map as Detroit’s next big thing.

The band’s rise wasn’t without struggle. A 1982 Creem Magazine interview revealed that The Rockets faced constant pressure from labels to soften their sound for radio, which they resisted fiercely. “We’re not about chasing trends,” McCarty said. “We play what feels real.” This stubborn authenticity endeared them to fans, as seen in the active The Rockets’ official Facebook page, where fans still share memories of sweaty club shows. Their Instagram is a treasure trove of vintage photos, including shots of the band tearing through "Sally Can't Dance" on stage. For more fan love, check out the Rockets Fanatics website, where devotees post rare vinyl scans and concert stories. Though The Rockets never hit superstar status, their influence on Detroit rock endures, with Kid Rock citing them as a key inspiration in a 2000 Rolling Stone interview.

Connect with The Rockets and their legacy through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. Join the conversation with fellow Zoo Freaks at the Rockets Fan Club Facebook group or dive into fan-curated content at Rockets Fanatics. The Zoo Crew keeps the vinyl spinning, and "Sally Can't Dance" remains a testament to The Rockets’ untamed rock ‘n’ roll heart.