The Zebra logo printed on the back of the 3.5 album promotion card — later signed by Felix Hanemann.
I've been fortunate to witness Zebra on tour in 1986 at Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, and again in 1987 at the Ambler Cabaret in Ambler, PA.
Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ, 1986
Zebra performed at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, on May 2, 1986, as part of their 1986 tour following the release of their album 3.V. The show took place inside the amusement park in Ocean County, New Jersey.
The setlist included: “Take Your Fingers from My Hair,” “Better Not Call,” “Can’t Live Without,” “Bears,” “As I Said Before,” “Time,” “Who’s Behind the Door,” “Tell Me What You Want,” “One More Chance,” and “The La La Song.”
What I wasn’t expecting was an incredible Led Zeppelin–inspired encore that included “Heartbreaker” and “The Ocean.” During “The Ocean,” the entire audience became one, just as the song describes.
Ambler Cabaret 1987
Still promoting their 3.5 album, Zebra came to a small club just a few miles from where I was living at the time — the Ambler Cabaret. It was a very intimate setting, and the setlist was similar to the year before. What made this show so special, though, was getting to hang out with the band afterward.
I’m not sure why, but I tend to connect with bass players, just as I did with Mel Schacher of Grand Funk. That evening I made many fond memories with the whole band, but Felix was by far my favorite. Somehow we fell into a running schtick where I was playing a character named Elouise. We laughed and had a heck of a time for what felt like hours after the show.
They had promotional pieces that featured the front of the 3.5 album cover, and on the back (pictured above) was a Zebra logo and pattern. Felix was kind enough to sign mine over his photo with the introduction, “To Louise.”
Felix Hanemann’s autograph on the Zebra 3.5 promotional card — signed “To Louise.”
Bonus Concert
I often wrote concert notes on album covers of the band. My notes on Zebra indicate I also saw them in 1989, though I can't recall the venue. However, I did make notes of the songs played. The real standout was their renition of the Immigrant Song. Whether you are a fan of Zebra or Led Zeppelin it was always a great show. Being a fan of both, made it all the much better.
