10/10/2026
"Cum On Feel the Noize" was written and released by the English rock band Slade in 1973. Ten years later Quiet Riot put out their version — and that's the one I heard when I was 13 years old.
Right around then, the compact disc arrived in the stores. Metal Health was the very first CD I ever bought. After that, every damn CD I bought, week after week, came from the top of Forest Ave at Congress St. — until she closed in 1990.
I still own one of the CD cases that sat in that store.
And 43 years on, that album is being sung by a kid from Long Island named John Torra — 23 years old, the new voice of Quiet Riot. He's said Metal Health was the record he wore out. Same record. Different generation. Ruthie never got to see that part, but that's what she started.
Ruthie Baker, thank you for jump-starting my music way of life, and a huge part of my DJ career.
TJ
