I Won’t Be Home Tonight

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew’s got the turntable spinning with a classic from Tony Carey—that’s right, it’s “I Won’t Be Home Tonight” from his 1982 album, cranking out those AOR vibes! This track’s got a story that’s as wild as our late-night jam sessions. Released on the ill-fated Rocshire label, the album hit #167 on the Billboard 200, but here’s the kicker: after the label’s promoter passed away and its owners got busted for embezzlement, the feds swooped in and seized the masters. Yup, the rights to this gem are still locked up with the IRS! The song itself, peaking at #79 on the Hot 100 and #8 on the Top Rock Tracks chart, is a defiant anthem with lyrics like “Do you think I’d come runnin’ at the drop of a hat?”—perfect for anyone breaking free from a flaky romance. And that music video? Pure ‘80s gold with cars, jeeps, and a nod to Tower Records, shot on a budget that probably wouldn’t buy a decent amp today. Fans on Reddit still rave about catching it on MTV back in the day, calling it a catchy rocker that never got its due.

Now, let’s dive into how Tony Carey got his groove. Born October 16, 1953, in Watsonville, California, this guy was tickling the ivories at his church’s piano as a kid, sneaking in after hours. By seven, his family snagged a piano, and at eleven, he was strumming his first acoustic guitar, forming a band that covered The Mamas and the Papas. When he turned fourteen, his dad gifted him a Lowrey organ, and Tony started a rock outfit with neighborhood kids, channeling The Doors. His big break came in the mid-‘70s when he joined Rainbow as their keyboardist, laying down iconic tracks like the intro to “Tarot Woman” on Rainbow Rising. After two world tours, he split in 1977 to chase a solo career, moving to Germany in ’78. From there, he dropped albums like I Won’t Be Home Tonight and later experimented with sci-fi vibes under his Planet P Project alias. Carey’s a musical chameleon, producing for legends like Joe Cocker and David Knopfler while racking up over a thousand songs for himself, other artists, and soundtracks.

Wanna keep up with Tony? Check out his official site at tonycarey.com for the latest on his music and projects. He’s active on socials too—hit up his Facebook for updates and throwbacks, or follow his Instagram for behind-the-scenes vibes. Over on X, he shares thoughts and connects with fans. For the die-hard Zoo Freaks, there’s a buzzing community at the Tony Carey Fans Facebook group, where folks swap stories, rare tracks, and love for his work. And don’t miss planetpproject.com, a fan site dedicated to his Planet P Project era, packed with deep cuts and lore. So, crank up “I Won’t Be Home Tonight,” and let’s keep the party roaring!