With a Little Help from My Friends

The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic today with With a Little Help from My Friends by Tom Keifer, featured on his 2017 Deluxe Edition of the solo album The Way Life Goes. This cover of the iconic Beatles song, originally sung by Ringo Starr, was a long-awaited studio recording for Keifer’s fans, as he had been performing it live at his concerts for years before its official release. The track was recorded in Nashville by three-time Grammy Award-winner Vance Powell, known for his work with Jack White and Chris Stapleton, and features Keifer’s gritty, blues-infused vocal style that complements the song’s heartfelt camaraderie. In a 2017 social media post on X, Keifer promoted the Deluxe Edition, highlighting the inclusion of this cover alongside a duet version of Nobody’s Fool with Lzzy Hale of Halestorm, calling them “special collaborations” born from touring experiences. The song’s inclusion in the Deluxe Edition was celebrated by fans, with one review noting its “powerful ’70s feel” reminiscent of Joe Cocker’s soulful rendition, showcasing Keifer’s ability to honor the original while making it distinctly his own.

Another interesting tidbit about With a Little Help from My Friends comes from its live performance history. Keifer performed an acoustic version of the song on Nights With Alice Cooper, as noted in a 2017 article on Rock and Roll Garage. This performance highlighted his versatility, stripping the song down to its emotional core while backed by his solo band, #keiferband. The Deluxe Edition also came with a bonus DVD, including a 30-minute documentary called The Way Life’s Goin’, produced by Keifer’s longtime photographer Tammy Vega. The documentary offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into the recording of the bonus tracks, including exclusive interviews with Keifer and his bandmates discussing the creative process. Fans on Facebook, where Keifer has over 250,000 followers, often share clips of live performances of the song, praising its raw energy and Keifer’s ability to connect with audiences through its universal message of friendship and support.

Tom Keifer’s journey to becoming a rock icon began in Springfield, Pennsylvania, where he grew up in a musical family. Influenced heavily by the blues, Keifer started playing guitar at a young age and joined his first rock band in junior high school. Despite struggling with drug and alcohol abuse during his teenage years, his passion for music kept him focused. His mother, Adrienne, played a pivotal role by promising him a Gibson Les Paul guitar if he graduated high school, which he did, receiving the coveted instrument. Keifer honed his skills playing in local bands like Saints in Hell and Telapath, while supporting himself with odd jobs such as walking racehorses at tracks and delivering film to developing outlets. His big break came in 1980 when he met bassist Eric Brittingham in a bar bathroom on Halloween night, leading to the formation of Cinderella, the hard rock band that would catapult him to fame.

Keifer’s career with Cinderella took off in 1986 with their debut album Night Songs, discovered by Jon Bon Jovi at the Empire Rock Club in Philadelphia. The band’s bluesy, hard rock sound, driven “‘I don’t feel comfortable when I’m up there singing and not playing guitar. I feel naked when it’s just me and the microphone.’” Keifer’s distinctive voice and guitar work, led to hits like Shake Me and Nobody’s Fool, selling over 15 million records worldwide. Despite personal struggles, including vocal cord issues in the 1990s that required multiple surgeries, Keifer persevered, releasing his first solo album, The Way Life Goes, in 2013 after a decade of writing and recovery. His resilience and dedication to his craft have made him a beloved figure in rock, with fans continuing to support him through his solo career with #keiferband.

For those wanting to dive deeper into Keifer’s world, his official website, tomkeifer.com, offers tour dates, merchandise, and updates on his music. You can also follow him on social media at Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news and behind-the-scenes content. Fans have created dedicated spaces online, such as the Tom Keifer/Cinderella Fan Group on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories, rare photos, and updates about Keifer’s performances. Another fan-driven community, the Cinderella/Tom Keifer Fan Club, celebrates both his solo work and Cinderella’s legacy, fostering a tight-knit group of “Zoo Freaks” who keep the spirit of his music alive.