Bernadiah

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Bernadiah" by Tommy Tutone from the iconic album Tommy Tutone 2, delighting their Zoo Freaks audience. While "Bernadiah" isn't as widely celebrated as the band's mega-hit "867-5309/Jenny," it carries a unique charm with its power-pop energy and introspective lyrics. In a rare interview snippet shared on Tommy Tutone's official Facebook page, frontman Tommy Heath described "Bernadiah" as a song inspired by a fleeting, almost mystical encounter with a woman whose name stuck with him. He noted that the song's dreamy vibe was meant to capture the feeling of chasing something just out of reach, a theme that resonates with the band's knack for storytelling through catchy melodies.

Though specific trivia about "Bernadiah" is scarce due to the overshadowing fame of "867-5309/Jenny," fans on the Tommy Tutone Fan Club Facebook group have speculated about its origins, with some suggesting the name "Bernadiah" was a creative twist on a real-life muse from Heath's San Francisco days. A post on Tommy Tutone's Instagram once hinted at the song being a favorite during live performances in the early '80s, often played to warm up crowds before the inevitable Jenny anthem. The band's X account occasionally shares throwback photos from the Tommy Tutone 2 era, including studio shots that give fans a glimpse into the recording process, though "Bernadiah" rarely gets a direct mention. Its understated presence makes it a hidden gem for diehard Zoo Freaks tuning in.

Tommy Tutone, led by Tommy Heath, kicked off their journey in the late 1970s in the vibrant San Francisco music scene. Heath, born Thomas Allen Heath on March 31, 1947, in California, grew up across Philadelphia, Texas, and Montana before landing in San Francisco during the Summer of Love, initially aiming to embrace the hippie lifestyle. As detailed on AllMusic, Heath teamed up with guitarist Jim Keller and bassist Terry Nails in 1978, forming the band initially called Tommy and the Tu-Tones. The name "Tommy Tutone" came from Heath's nickname, a nod to his soulful stage persona. Their early gigs in small Bay Area clubs, as noted on the fan site Bay Area Bands, showcased a rootsy power-pop sound influenced by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and classic rock.

The band's big break came with their 1980 single "Angel Say No," which scraped the Top 40 and earned them a spot opening for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, according to Wikipedia. This momentum led to the release of Tommy Tutone 2 in 1981, featuring both "Bernadiah" and the chart-topping "867-5309/Jenny." Heath's distinctive voice and the band's tight, melodic style carved a niche in the early '80s power-pop scene. Despite lineup changes, with Heath and Keller as the core, the band continued to evolve, as fans discuss on the Tommy Tutone Fans Forever group. Today, Heath, now based in Portland, Oregon, keeps the legacy alive, touring and preparing a new album for 2024, as announced on tutone.com.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, connect with Tommy Tutone's official website for tour updates and merch. Follow their Facebook for nostalgic posts and fan interactions, check Instagram for behind-the-scenes snaps, and keep up with X for real-time band news. Join fan communities like the Tommy Tutone Fan Club or Tommy Tutone Fans Forever on Facebook to swap stories and trivia. The fan-run Bay Area Bands site also offers a treasure trove of local history for this San Francisco-born band.