Suffragette City

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Suffragette City" by Vixen from their 2006 album Live & Learn, getting all the Zoo Freaks pumped with its raw energy. This track is a cover of David Bowie's iconic 1972 glam rock anthem from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Vixen’s version keeps the song’s high-octane spirit, with crunchy guitars and a fierce vocal delivery that pays homage while adding their own hard rock flair. Interestingly, Vixen’s take was recorded during a period of lineup changes, with Jan Kuehnemund being the only original member from their classic era. In a 2006 interview with Metal Express Radio, Kuehnemund shared that choosing to cover "Suffragette City" was a nod to their glam metal roots, as Bowie’s influence loomed large over the 1980s scene they emerged from. She mentioned the band wanted a song that would “kick ass live” and capture the rebellious vibe of their live shows.

Another tidbit comes from a 2007 fan post on the Vixen Fan Club Facebook group, where a Zoo Freak recounted seeing Vixen perform "Suffragette City" at a small club in Los Angeles. The fan noted that lead vocalist Jenna Sanz-Agero (credited as Jenna Piccolo on the album) brought a gritty edge to the song, and the band extended the outro with an impromptu jam, driving the crowd wild. This aligns with Kuehnemund’s comments in a Blabbermouth.net article from 2006, where she said the Live & Learn sessions were about capturing the band’s live energy in the studio, with "Suffragette City" being a perfect vehicle for that raw, unpolished sound. The song’s inclusion on the album also sparked some debate among fans, with some on Last.fm arguing it overshadowed original tracks, while others praised it as a highlight for its bold reinterpretation.

Vixen got their start in 1973 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, when guitarist Jan Kuehnemund formed the band after playing in a high school group called Lemon Pepper, later renamed Genesis. According to Kuehnemund in a 2004 VH1 Bands Reunited interview, she was inspired by seeing Heart perform, realizing an all-female rock band could hold its own in a male-dominated industry. By 1980, she relaunched Vixen with a new lineup, moving to Los Angeles in 1985 to dive into the city’s burgeoning glam metal scene. Their big break came in 1987 when they were featured in The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years, catching the eye of EMI Manhattan. This led to their 1988 self-titled debut album, which hit No. 41 on the Billboard 200, driven by the Richard Marx-penned hit "Edge of a Broken Heart." Vixen became known as “the female Bon Jovi,” touring with acts like Ozzy Osbourne and Bon Jovi.

You can keep up with Vixen through their official website, where they share tour dates and merch. They’re active on Facebook, posting about recent shows and lineup updates, like Rosa Laricchiuta joining as vocalist in 2024. Their Instagram is packed with throwback photos and live clips, while their X account engages with fans about new music and tour plans. Fans connect on the Vixen Fan Club Facebook group, a lively space for sharing concert stories and rare memorabilia. Another fan hub is VixenRock.com, a fan-run site with discography details and archived interviews. For those wanting to dive deeper, the Last.fm community offers fan reviews and track discussions, keeping the Zoo Freak spirit alive.