Lost Paul Stanley Collaboration Highlights Zebra's New Album
(MS) Legendary Zebra guitarist and vocalist Randy Jackson is the special guest on the latest episode of the Talking Metal podcast, hosted by Mark Strigl.
In Episode 1015, Jackson discusses Zebra's highly anticipated fifth studio album, Zebra V, scheduled for release on November 13, 2026, via Flatiron Recordings. The 11-song collection marks the band's first new studio album since 2003 and features production work by the late legendary producer Jack Douglas, whose credits include Aerosmith, John Lennon and Zebra's first two albums.
One of the album's highlights is "Walk With You," a previously unreleased collaboration between Jackson and KISS frontman Paul Stanley. Written decades ago and recently rediscovered, the song was brought to life with the help of Douglas and serves as the album's first single.
During the extensive conversation, Jackson shares memories of working with Douglas, discusses the production of the new record, and reflects on the unexpected loss of the producer before they could complete additional recordings together.
Jackson also recalls smoking a joint with Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, auditioning for KISS, and the remarkable longevity of Zebra's original lineup. He addresses the band's roots in New Orleans and its strong association with Long Island, New York, while sharing stories from more than five decades in rock music.
Zebra remains one of rock's most enduring power trios, with Jackson, bassist/keyboardist Felix Hanemann, and drummer Guy Gelso continuing to perform together since the band's formation in 1975.
Randy Jackson Discusses Jack Douglas's Final Work With Zebra
During the interview, Strigl asked Jackson about Douglas's involvement in Zebra V and whether the producer had completed the entire album.
The following is an exact transcription from Talking Metal Episode 1015:
Mark Strigl: Jack Douglas, I mean, I was shocked to hear that he passed away. I actually had the honor and privilege of meeting him. I felt like it wasn't too long ago, a few years ago, two years ago at a Zebra show.
So the new song co-written by Paul Stanley, Walk With You, if I'm reading things right on the Internet, it sounds like this is one of his last songs that he produced.
Randy Jackson: It could be, it's certainly close to it. He passed away in May and we were all shocked. I had no idea he was even sick.
I certainly didn't know that while we were recording. I mean, he was healthy as a horse, as they say, and the same Jack that I knew from 40 years ago, great sense of humor and just enjoying life. Just so sad.
Mark Strigl: Yeah, very sad. And also tying back to what we were talking about before. I mean, he was such a part of those early Zebra albums, the first two, right?
A producer. So tying him back into this new album truly does speak to what you were talking about before, how the album kind of "covers the whole Zebra lineage, if you will, going back and bringing him back into the fold. Now, did he produce the whole album or just parts of it?
Randy: He did five songs. Okay. And we were going to do more.
And we had finished the five, they were mixed and everything was done with them. And, you know, Jack said, you know, I'd love to do a couple of more songs. I said, that's great, let's do it.
And so a couple of weeks went by and I texted him, said, you know, that we were ready to go. And I didn't get a reply right away. And that wasn't abnormal.
I thought maybe because he was involved with a lot of different projects, you know, and he had his own record company and stuff. So I figured maybe he got busy, you know, with promotions and stuff. But then to find out that he had cancer, I just had no idea.
And I didn't find out till right before he passed. Just so sad.
Talking Metal Episode 1015 featuring Randy Jackson of Zebra is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and TalkingMetal.com.
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