Love Is A Killer

The Zoo Crew is spinning the powerful ballad "Love Is A Killer" by Vixen from their 1990 album Rev It Up!, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the raw emotion of this underrated gem. This track, a standout metal ballad, was written by drummer Roxy Petrucci and Harry Paress, showcasing the band's ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with hard rock intensity. According to Classic Rock History, it was the second single from the album and marked Vixen's final appearance on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #71, while also reaching #41 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's music video, directed by Andrew Morahan, features a striking narrative with black-and-white shots of a dancer performing for a wealthy man, interwoven with Janet Gardner singing against a gritty backdrop, as noted on IMDb. Fans on Reddit have called it one of the most underrated metal ballads, praising its emotional depth and Gardner’s soaring vocals.

Behind the scenes, "Love Is A Killer" stirred some debate within the band. A review on The Hair Metal Fan suggests the power ballad felt like a label-imposed choice, as it deviated slightly from Vixen’s signature high-energy glam metal sound. Despite this, the band delivered a compelling performance, with Gardner’s vocals perfectly capturing the song’s theme of love’s dangerous allure. The lyrics, like “Only a fool believes / It’s better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all,” resonate with anyone who’s felt the sting of heartbreak, as highlighted on Genius. The song also gained some pop culture traction, with Vixen’s music from the Rev It Up era, including this track, appearing in a 1991 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 titled “Slumber Party,” as mentioned in Wikipedia.

Vixen, the all-female glam rock band, formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1973, but their rise to fame came in the 1980s during the height of the Los Angeles glam metal scene. The classic lineup—Jan Kuehnemund (lead guitar), Janet Gardner (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Share Ross (bass), and Roxy Petrucci (drums)—solidified in the mid-1980s, as detailed on their Wikipedia page. They were discovered after years of grinding it out in the club circuit, eventually signing with EMI Manhattan in 1987. Their self-titled debut album in 1988, featuring the hit “Edge of a Broken Heart” co-written by Richard Marx, went platinum and propelled them into the spotlight, with heavy rotation on MTV and Headbangers Ball. Vixen toured relentlessly, supporting acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, and Bon Jovi, playing up to 200 shows a year, as noted in a Screamer Magazine interview. Their fierce live performances and undeniable talent earned them the nickname “the female Bon Jovi.”

Despite their success, Vixen faced challenges, including creative differences that led to their split after Rev It Up, as mentioned on Last.fm. The band reunited multiple times over the years, with various lineup changes, and continued to release music, including their 2006 album Live & Learn. Tragically, guitarist Jan Kuehnemund passed away in 2013, but the surviving members carried on in her honor, as Roxy Petrucci shared in a 2014 interview on Wikipedia. Today, Vixen remains active, with their current lineup featuring Roxy Petrucci, Britt Lightning, Lorraine Lewis, and Julia Lage, and they released a new single, “Red,” in 2022, according to Screamer Magazine.

Fans can stay connected with Vixen through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share updates on tours, new music, and behind-the-scenes content. The Zoo Freaks can also join the vibrant fan community on the Vixen Official Fan Club on Facebook, a group dedicated to sharing memories, photos, and news about the band. For those craving more, the Encyclopaedia Metallum page offers a deep dive into Vixen’s discography and history, while fan discussions on Reddit’s r/hairmetal keep the love for Vixen’s music alive.