A Fine, Fine Day

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with The Zoo Crew as they spin A Fine, Fine Day by Tony Carey from his 1984 album Some Tough City. This storytelling classic peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Its iconic music video was directed by Storm Thorgerson, famous for Pink Floyd’s visuals. In a 2021 interview with The College Crowd Digs Me, Carey revealed the song’s story about Uncle Sonny, a fictional ex-con on the run, wasn’t based on real life but crafted like a short story, inspired by John Steinbeck’s compassionate character portrayals. He fought Geffen Records to keep the lyrics intact, a battle that led him to MCA Records, where the song became a hit. Fans on YouTube reminisce about the video’s heavy MTV rotation and Carey’s Solid Gold performance. One fan noted the lyric “the old Houdini” suggested Uncle Sonny’s escape, though the video clarified otherwise, adding depth to the narrative. The song, alongside The First Day of Summer, captures Carey’s knack for vivid storytelling and remains a career highlight.

Tony Carey kicked off his musical journey in Watsonville, California. He started playing church piano as a kid, got a piano from his family at seven, and picked up his first guitar at eleven, forming a band covering The Mamas and the Papas. By fourteen, his dad gifted him a Lowrey organ, sparking a rock band playing The Doors’ tunes. In the mid-1970s, Carey broke through as the keyboardist for Rainbow, contributing to albums like Rainbow Rising and On Stage. He joined at twenty-one but, feeling out of place in heavy metal, left in 1978 to pursue solo work and moved to Germany. There, he launched Planet P Project, creating rock operas like Pink World, and found success with Some Tough City. Carey also produced for other artists and scored films, claiming over 1,000 songs in a 2011 interview. After beating bladder cancer in 2009, he released introspective works like Lucky Us and formed Tony Carey’s Rainbow Project with Norwegian musicians to perform Rainbow songs.

Check out Tony Carey’s official website for updates on his projects, discography, and tour dates. Follow him on Facebook for music and live show news, Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots and fan interactions, and X for his thoughts on music and the industry. Fans connect on the Tony Carey Fans Facebook Group, sharing album insights, rare recordings, and memories. The Planet P Project website dives into Carey’s rock opera work, offering limited releases and project history. These platforms are perfect for Zoo Freaks to dive deeper into Carey’s music and community. So, crank up A Fine, Fine Day and vibe with The Zoo Crew!