The Ocean (Live 1990)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning a classic for their Zoo Freaks audience: "The Ocean (Live 1990)" by Zebra, from the album Zebra Live. This track, a cover of Led Zeppelin’s iconic song, is a fan favorite and a testament to Zebra’s electrifying live performances. Recorded during two shows at Sundance in Bayshore, Long Island, on November 25 and 26, 1989, the song captures the raw energy of the band’s stage presence. According to Wikipedia, the Zebra Live album was a response to fan demand for a live record, and "The Ocean" stands out as the only official recording of a Led Zeppelin cover in their discography. The choice of this song reflects Zebra’s roots as a cover band in their early days, often playing technically complex rock like Led Zeppelin, which they mastered with precision.

One juicy piece of trivia comes from Zebra’s official bio, which hints at their deep connection to Led Zeppelin. The band’s drummer, Guy Gelso, was heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix’s drummer Mitch Mitchell, but his love for Zeppelin’s bombastic rhythms shines through in "The Ocean." The band’s ability to channel Zeppelin’s spirit was so potent that, during a 1983 show opening for Aerosmith at Nassau Coliseum, Zebra’s performance was so overwhelming that Steven Tyler delayed Aerosmith’s set for an hour and a half to let the crowd cool down, only to be met with renewed Zebra cheers when they finally took the stage. This story, noted in a newspaper review cited on Zebra’s site, underscores their ability to steal the show, a quality that makes their live rendition of "The Ocean" a mustVenues across the country were packed with fans chanting for Zebra long after their set ended.

While specific social media posts about "The Ocean (Live 1990)" are scarce, Zebra’s Facebook page often shares nostalgic posts about their live shows, with fans commenting on memorable performances from the late ’80s and early ’90s. One fan on the Zebra Fan Club Facebook group recalled seeing Zebra perform "The Ocean" in New Orleans in 1990, describing it as a “mind-blowing” moment that felt like Zeppelin reincarnated. The band’s reputation for high-energy shows is further evidenced by their history of opening for major acts like Kiss and ZZ Top, and even having bands like Dream Theater and Bryan Adams open for them, as mentioned in their bio.

Zebra got their start in 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded by Randy Jackson (guitarist and lead vocalist), Felix Hanemann (bassist and keyboardist), and Guy Gelso (drummer). Before forming Zebra, Jackson and Hanemann played together in a bar band called Shepherd’s Bush, covering complex rock acts like Led Zeppelin, Yes, and Jethro Tull. In 1974, they left to form a new band, Maelstrom, with Gelso and keyboardist Tim Thorson. When Thorson departed in 1975, the trio adopted the name Zebra, inspired by a Vogue magazine cover featuring a woman riding a zebra, as noted on Wikipedia. Initially a cover band, they honed their skills in New Orleans clubs before moving to Long Island, New York, in 1977 to break into the larger music scene. Their talent caught the attention of Atlantic Records, who signed them to a five-album deal in 1982. Their 1983 debut album, produced by Jack Douglas, went gold, selling over 75,000 copies in its first week and peaking at number 29 on the Billboard charts.

You can stay connected with Zebra through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. Fans also gather at the Zebra Fan Club Facebook group, where they share memories and updates. For more fan-driven content, check out Zebrakatz, a site celebrating the band’s legacy, though it’s not exclusively about the rock band Zebra and covers other artists with similar names.