Zebra to play 2 nights at Patchogue Theatre, release new album in November

This fall, Zebra will headline back-to-back nights at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Nov. 13 and 14. The band is also planning to release a long-awaited new studio album in the same month.

The two Zebra shows are designed to have different sets. Night 1 will feature all Zebra material, while Night 2 offers a Led Zeppelin set.

"About 75% of the second night set will be Zeppelin with a couple of Zebra tunes," said guitarist-singer Randy Jackson, 71, of South Setauket. "This is something we’ve never done before. Since it’s Long Island, we thought people from the old days would appreciate it."

On Nov. 14, fans can expect to hear songs like "Stairway to Heaven" and "Kashmir" as well as some deeper Zep cuts.

"I was looking forward to doing ‘In the Light,’ which we haven’t done, along with others," Jackson said. "People are always asking for Zeppelin. That’s the way it has been since 1975."

Zebra became known for its Zeppelin covers during its years playing in such Long Island clubs as Hammerheads in Levittown, Speaks in Island Park and The Mad Hatter in Stony Brook.

"We got our start at Hammerheads in Levittown, opening up for different groups on the weekends," Jackson said. "We love playing Long Island at least once a year. It feels like home for us. A lot of the audience on Long Island have become our personal friends over the years."

Recording has been completed on Zebra’s new studio album, "Zebra V," which follows "Zebra IV," released in 2003.

"It’s a little heavier than previous records," Jackson said. "Guy [Gelso, drummer] recorded his parts at his studio in Louisiana. Felix [Hanemann, bassist, of Wantagh] and I worked on the rest of it at my home studio and at Ocean Analog in Long Beach."

The album will feature 11 songs, including "Walk With You," co-written by Paul Stanley of KISS and "All Your Love," co-written with Long Island's Mark Mangold (Cher, Touch). A single will be released in September.

Tickets for the Patchogue shows ($67-$107) will go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. A Patchogue Theatre member presale takes place Wednesday at 10 a.m. For more information, call 631-207-1313 or visit patchoguetheatre.org.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.