Medusa

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the heavy, soulful vibes of "Medusa" by Trapeze from their iconic 1970 album of the same name. This track is a cornerstone of hard rock, with its slinky, funky edge and powerful vocals. One juicy piece of trivia comes from the song’s creation: "Medusa" was penned by the trio of Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley, and Dave Holland after the band slimmed down from a five-piece to a tighter, heavier three-piece outfit. The song’s hypnotic riffs and Hughes’ soaring vocals were crafted to showcase their new, raw energy, drawing comparisons to Free and Humble Pie. In a 2013 interview, Hughes reflected on the recording sessions at Morgan Studios, saying the band felt a “cosmic connection” while laying down the track, with producer John Lodge pushing them to capture their live intensity in the studio. That raw power still resonates, making it a favorite for DJs like us at THE ZOO.

Another tidbit from the vault: the BBC Radio "Pop Workshop" performance of "Medusa" on July 1, 1970, featured a unique acoustic slide guitar intro by Mel Galley, giving the song a haunting twist before it exploded into its full-throttle glory. Fans on Classic Rock Forum have raved about this version, noting how it showed Trapeze’s ability to blend delicate moments with crushing riffs. Social media posts from Glenn Hughes’ Instagram often highlight "Medusa" as a career-defining moment, with Hughes once sharing a throwback photo from 1970, captioning it, “This song was our soul, our fire.” The track’s legacy lives on, with Hughes re-recording it in 2010 with Black Country Communion, proving its timeless appeal to Zoo Freaks everywhere.

Now, let’s rewind to how Trapeze got their start. Hailing from Cannock, Staffordshire, Trapeze formed in March 1969, born from the ashes of two local bands: The Montanas and Finders Keepers. The original lineup featured John Jones (trumpet, vocals) and Terry Rowley (keyboards) from The Montanas, alongside Glenn Hughes (bass, vocals, piano), Mel Galley (guitar, vocals), and Dave Holland (drums) from Finders Keepers. Discovered by The Moody Blues, Trapeze signed to their Threshold Records label, with John Lodge producing their debut. Their early gigs, like a filmed performance at Club Lafayette in Wolverhampton for BBC2’s Colour Me Pop, showed a band bursting with potential. After their self-titled debut in 1970, Jones and Rowley split, leaving Hughes, Galley, and Holland to redefine Trapeze as a hard-hitting power trio, a shift that birthed the legendary "Medusa" album.

Trapeze’s journey wasn’t without twists. After Hughes left in 1973 to join Deep Purple, Galley and Holland kept the band alive, later reuniting briefly in 1976. The band’s influence endures, with Hughes as the sole surviving member of the classic lineup, still celebrating Trapeze’s legacy through his solo work and social media. You can dive deeper into their world on Glenn Hughes’ official site, www.glennhughes.com, which has a dedicated Trapeze section. Follow Hughes on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and nostalgic posts. Fans also gather on the Trapeze Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant group sharing rare photos, concert stories, and love for the band’s funky, hard-rocking sound. So, Zoo Freaks, crank up "Medusa" and let Trapeze turn your soul to stone!