ZEBRA's Guitarist RANDY JACKSON Talks About When He Auditioned For KISS Replacing ACE FREHLEY
Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice recently spoke to guitarist and vocalist of Zebra, Randy 'Jackson. In the chat, Jackson talks about the band’s upcoming new studio album, *Zebra 5*, how the first single was co-written with Paul Stanley and then talks about the band’s legacy and his audition for Ace Frehley’s position when he first left the band.
Photo by Kenny Kessel and Perrin Wolfson
Interview
When asked about his audition with KISS when Ace Frehley left the band
"They were looking for somebody after Ace originally left. So, they had heard of me and they flew me out to California and I went in and I'm going to audition but there's no band. It's just going to be me playing, by myself. And they put me with this little bitty amp. I did what I could. I had learned a couple of the KISS songs but they weren't even interested in that, and it was very quick. It was interesting, and I was flattered that they called me."
Listen to the new Zebra song ' Walk with You' off of the up and coming Zebra V album
Track listing, listen to sinppets on Bandcamp
Dog Day Night
The Conqueror Worm
All Your Love
Walk With You
Love, Sex
I'll Be There Beside You
She's Waiting For You
Direction
Louisiana Way
The Last Time
Eulalie
Founded in 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana, ZEBRA has accomplished what few rock bands ever have: five decades later, the band is still together, still recording, and still selling out venues across the country with its original lineup intact.
Randy Jackson, Felix Hanemann, and Guy Gelso remain at the heart of ZEBRA, making the band one of the longest-running American rock bands still touring with all of its original members. After more than 50 years together, ZEBRA continues to perform at the top of its game, bringing its classic catalog and new music to generations of loyal fans while attracting a new generation along the way.
In the 1970s, ZEBRA built its reputation as a hard-rocking cover band throughout the New Orleans bar and club scene before taking a chance on the thriving rock circuit of Long Island, New York. The move put the band within reach of the New York City music industry and the record companies that could potentially take ZEBRA to the next level.
For several years, ZEBRA split its time between the New York Tri-State area and southern Louisiana, relentlessly building a following and playing as many as 250 shows a year. The band recorded two demo tapes and shopped them to record labels and radio stations. Both New York’s WBAB-FM and New Orleans’ WRNO-FM began playing songs from the demos, with “Who’s Behind the Door?” becoming a particular favorite and frequent listener request.
That hard work paid off. In late 1982, ZEBRA signed a major recording contract with Atlantic Records. The band’s self-titled debut album, produced by legendary producer Jack Douglas—known for his work with Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, and John Lennon—became a gold record and established ZEBRA as a major force in American rock.
The album spent eight months on the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 29, and launched the band onto major tours. ZEBRA quickly became known for its powerful live performances, musicianship, and distinctive blend of hard rock, progressive rock, and classic influences.
More than five decades after forming, ZEBRA has never stopped moving forward. The band continues to tour extensively and bring new music to its fans with its latest album, ZEBRA V.
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