Who’s Behind the Door?

The song "Who’s Behind the Door?" by Zebra is a standout track from their 1983 self-titled debut album, known for its mystical vibe and progressive rock edge. In an interview shared on Reddit, Zebra’s frontman Randy Jackson revealed a fascinating tidbit about the song’s production. While recording at the Record Plant, the band sifted through sound effect records to find an innocent, evocative sound for the song’s climactic ending. They stumbled upon a recording that captured a unique, almost otherworldly ambiance, which was overdubbed to create the haunting effect heard in the final mix. Jackson noted they were aiming for something akin to animal or children’s sounds to contrast the song’s explosive crescendos. This creative choice helped make the track a fan favorite, with one Reddit user humorously speculating the sound resembled “a thousand snapping shrimp,” while another misheard the lyrics as “thousands of vanished voices,” fitting the song’s ethereal theme.

Social media buzz, particularly on Reddit, highlights the song’s enduring appeal. Fans recall its heavy rotation on MTV in the early 1980s, with one user, Jennifer H., noting on Norselands Rock that it was her introduction to Zebra, sparking a deeper dive into their catalog. The song’s popularity was boosted by airplay on New York’s WBAB-FM and New Orleans’ WRNO-FM, where it became a frequent request even before Zebra’s Atlantic Records deal. Its cinematic quality has also caught attention, with a Reddit user expressing interest in licensing it for an indie film, underscoring its evocative power. The track’s blend of Led Zeppelin-inspired riffs and Rush-like vocals, as noted in an Amazon review, cemented its status as a classic rock gem.

Zebra began in 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a trio formed by Randy Jackson (guitar, vocals), Felix Hanemann (bass, keyboards, vocals), and Guy Gelso (drums, vocals). Before adopting the Zebra moniker, Jackson and Hanemann played together in a bar band called Shepherd’s Bush, covering technically complex rock acts like Led Zeppelin, Yes, Jethro Tull, and Pink Floyd. In 1974, they left Shepherd’s Bush and teamed up with Gelso to form Maelstrom, initially a cover band with Tim Thorson on keyboards. When Thorson departed in 1975, the group decided to remain a trio, with Hanemann taking on both bass and keyboard duties. Inspired by a 1926 Vogue magazine cover featuring a woman riding a zebra, they adopted the name Zebra and began weaving original material, such as “The La La Song” and “Bears,” into their sets.

Initially based in New Orleans, Zebra built a local following before shifting focus to Long Island, New York, where they played clubs and colleges. Their early original performances caught the ear of Long Island’s WBAB-FM, which included one of their songs on the “WBAB Homegrown Album.” This exposure helped them secure a five-album deal with Atlantic Records in 1982, leading to their debut album’s release in 1983. The album, featuring “Who’s Behind the Door?” and “Tell Me What You Want,” became Atlantic’s fastest-selling debut, selling 75,000 copies in its first week. Zebra’s live prowess, often compared to Rush and Triumph, earned them opening slots for bands like Sammy Hagar and Journey, with crowds as large as 50,000 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

You can follow Zebra’s official website for tour dates and updates on their upcoming album and documentary, “Tell Me What You Want: 50 Years of Zebra.” Connect with them on Facebook and explore fan communities like the Zebra Band Fans Facebook group for discussions and memorabilia. While Zebra maintains a presence on Instagram, their X account is less active but still worth a follow for occasional updates. Fans also share memories on platforms like Reddit’s ClassicRock community, where Zebra’s legacy continues to resonate with “Zoo Freaks” and beyond.