Though the tune’s video proved to be fashionable on MTV’s heavy steel specialty programming on the time, the track did not turn into a success. Nevertheless, it is sound (use of samples, electro-drums, choir-like vocals, and so on.) was a particularly comparable strategy that Def Leppard would good on their 1987 blockbuster album, Hysteria, and particularly such tunes as “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Rocket. Understandably, super-producer Mutt Lange will get the lion’s share of credit score for serving to create the trademark “Def Leppard sound” – which actually coalesced on Hysteria. However what about Spencer Proffer‘s manufacturing on Quiet Riot’s “The Wild and the Younger”?
And would not you already know it, this track specifically – in addition to all different phases of the band’s profession – was studied and analyzed in my 2025 e-book, Bang Your Head, Really feel the Noize: The Quiet Riot Story. Right here is an excerpt which focuses on the tune:
Up subsequent was the album’s undisputed excessive level, “The Wild and the Younger.” Musically and chorus-wise, the tune sounds unmistakably extra like Def Leppard than something Quiet Riot had performed beforehand (particularly with the electro drums, samples, and stadium-sung refrain). In reality, “The Wild and the Younger” appeared like Hysteria-era Def Leppard a full yr BEFORE Hysteria.
Clearly, it was considered one of their stronger post-Metallic Well being tunes and one of many few tunes on the album wherein this new type/strategy actually coalesced. And in contrast to many of the different tunes on the LP the place the synths soured issues, it labored wonders on a track reminiscent of this – the place synths had been used extra for texturing, reasonably than being forcibly crammed down your gullet.
“The Wild and the Younger” would additionally function the album’s lead-off single and video. Performed closely on MTV’s Metallic Music Half Hour program (which aired day by day from Monday by way of Friday within the US) in the course of the summer season, it was immediately noticeable that the “QR ’86 look” was extra Vegas-y than merely spandex-y. In different phrases, a la what Kiss and Mötley Crüe had been sporting on the time (re-inspect the movies for “Tears are Falling” and “Smokin’ within the Boys Room” to catch my drift). Gone had been the striped spandex trousers or striped sleeveless t-shirts of ’83 – though Kevin DuBrow‘s favourite fanged necklace remained in place round his neck.
Storyline-wise, the music video touched upon the entire “steel music is harmful and needs to be banned” motif (which was fashionable on the time, because of such teams because the PMRC, aka, the Dad and mom Music Useful resource Middle). And likewise, reveals the band – after fleeing from obvious metal-hating authority figures – performing the tune…after which finally, halting at gunpoint!
Additionally obvious from viewing the video, was that DuBrow had now magically grown an unlimited quantity of hair. Now, placing all of it in perspective, on the time of this e-book’s launch, hair size and steel music means diddly. However again within the ’80s, it was virtually as vital as the standard of your materials. So, DuBrow understandably opted to seek the advice of some “hair specialists” to supply some much-needed quantity to his beforehand unspectacular mane. However heck, he wasn’t the one one on the time, as each Gene Simmons and Joe Lynn Turner had been two apparent culprits, as effectively.
In 2024, long-time Quiet Riot fan and solid member of The Howard Stern Present, Richard Christy was prepared to face by QR III. “I cherished that album, however significantly, the track ‘The Wild and the Younger.’ If that track would have been on Situation Crucial and that may have been its first single – reasonably than ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’ – I feel we would be speaking about Quiet Riot like we speak about Weapons N’ Roses. As a result of that track is so good and so catchy. And the riffs are cool and the drums are cool. The refrain is simply so enormous. If that may have been the primary single off of Situation Crucial, their path would have been completely totally different. They might have remained an enormous band like they had been with Metallic Well being.”
And Christy did not simply cease there regarding his reward for “The Wild and the Younger.” “‘The Wild and the Younger’ is likely one of the best songs of the ’80s, so far as I am involved. It is humorous, each time my youngsters are going loopy, I all the time say, ‘You guys are the wild and the younger’ – and I play them that track!” And since Christy is an exceptionally gifted drummer in his personal proper, it ought to come as no shock that it is Frankie Banali‘s drumming on the tune that additionally makes it a private favourite. “His drumming on ‘The Wild and the Younger’ – that starting drumbeat – is so freaking cool. It is so heavy and I like the reverb they’ve on the drums.”
Sadly, regardless of constant airings on MTV of the video, the one surprisingly stiffed – not even registering a single spot on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Leading to a standout ’80s steel anthem that these days, solely diehard Quiet Riot followers appear to understand.
Bang Your Head, Really feel the Noize: The Quiet Riot Story is offered as paperback, hardcover, and Kindle variations. Click on right here to order.
