What's your walk-up song? Phoenix TV stars, musicians and other celebs reveal theirs
The Arizona Diamondbacks playing in the 2023 World Series got us thinking: What’s your walkup song?
You know, that super recognizable 10- to 15-second snippet of a song that plays when the batter steps up to the plate. The song that absolutely fires you up and best represents your personality.
We asked notable metro Phoenix residents including Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Poison frontman Bret Michaels, Phoenix Suns broadcaster Al McCoy, Fox 10 anchor Ron Hoon and 12 News sports broadcaster Lina Washington what their walkup song would be.
The answers were amazing.
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Kate Gallego, mayor of Phoenix: “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé.
Phoenix chefs and restaurant owners share their walkup songs
Chef Cory Oppold of Course restaurant: "Where Ever I May Roam” by Metallica.
Chef Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco, Tratto and Pane Bianco restaurants: "Crystal Frontier" by Calexico.
Sam Fox, Fox Restaurant Concepts: “Run This Town” by Jay Z.
Tony and Roushan Christofellis, founders of Salad & Go and owners of Angie’s Prime: “Gonna Fly Now,” the theme song from "Rocky," by Bill Conti.
Joey Maggiore of The Maggiore Group (The Sicilian Butcher, The Sicilian Baker, Hash Kitchen, The Mexicano): “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N' Roses. "Whenever I play that song, it makes me fired up. I can take on the world."
Phoenix musicians share their walkup songs
Bret Michaels of Poison: "I would do an absolute mash-up as my walkup song. I would start with the big guitar riff of Poison 'Nothin’ But a Good Time' and finish it with AC/DC 'You Shook Me All Night Long,' chorus out. That would get me pumped up. That’s a good party that makes you win games. Lol."
Futuristic: "I would go with '“'The Greatest' by Futuristic of course! It’s one of the most hype songs of all time. The guy who made it is pretty cool too"
Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms: "Get Down on It” by Kool & the Gang.
Mega Ran: "So if I was walking up, I’d have my jam playing 'Rhymin & Stealin' by The Beastie Boys. Since I was young that’s been my jam for any sport, including our backyard wrestling organization which lasted for one summer."
Jim Adkinsof Jimmy Eat World: "I think instead of pumping up the crowd I’d go with something to straight up throw off the other team, like the sax intro part of George Michael’s 'Careless Whisper.'”
Rick Burch of Jimmy Eat World: "Get the party going! Chic - 'Le Freak.'”
Zach Lind of Jimmy Eat World: “I Won't Back Down” by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
Tom Linton of Jimmy Eat World: “Super Bad” by James Brown.
John O’Callaghan of the Maine: "While playing third base for the Mountain Pointe Pride baseball team, I took the reins as DJ and set up the PA system at our games. My walkup song at the time was 'Sound of Sulfur' by Tucson-based hardcore band the Bled. I would have just let that ride if I were in the imaginary World Series, but after watching Grant Balfour channel his rage out of the pen in 2012 to Metallica’s 'One,' I’m changing my walkup song to that. Go DBacks.”
Michael Corneliusof the Father Figures: "'Blackout' by No Volcano. It has a hype beat and a badass bassline."
TV, radio and news personalities share their walkup songs
Al McCoy, legendary former Phoenix Suns broadcaster and pianist: “The batter … needs a hit … ‘How High the Moon” by Les Paul and Mary Ford.
Lina Washington, sports broadcaster at 12 News: “A$AP Ferg’s ‘New Level’ is my go-to hype song but Jeezy’s ‘Put On’ would be fun to hear in an AZ stadium as a local gal.”
Casey Newton, former Arizona Republic reporter and creator of the Platformer newsletter: “The Horror” by Rjd2.
Justin Pazera, former ABC 15 anchor: “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake.
Sean McLaughlin, news and weather anchor for Arizona’s Family: “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” by Van Halen.
Larry Gaydos, KTAR host: “The sweet sounds of Harry Styles, or ‘Baby Shark’ to upset the pitcher.”
Allison Rodriguez, 12 News anchor: “La Chona” by Los Tucanes de Tijuana.
Siera Santos, MLB Network and NHL Network host: “Rich Gang” by Tapout.
Ron Hoon, Fox 10 anchor: “It’d have to be Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman.’ Such a great moment in sports at the beginning of Virginia Tech games. I could just visualize thousands of DBack fans bouncing up and down as I got up to the plate!"
Phoenix pop culture stars share their walkup songs
Michael “Mike” Planeta, “The Bachelorette” Season 17 contestant: “I Thank God” by Maverick City Music.
Lauren Burnham Luyendyk, “The Bachelor” Season 22 contestant who married Bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr.: “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira.
T.J. Newman, author of “Falling”: “With a hat tip to former DBack Craig Counsell, I gotta go with ‘All Along the Watchtower’ by Jimi Hendrix.”
Demar Jackson, “The Bachelorette” Season 17 and “Bachelor in Paradise” Season 7 contestant: “Plain Jane” by A$AP Ferg. “The song itself, especially the beginning, always gets me hyped and ready to go!”
Clayton Echard, “The Bachelorette” Season 18 contestant and “The Bachelor” Season 26 lead: “IDGAF” by Drake.
Johnnie Garcia, "Love Island USA" Season 5 contestant: “Yo Voy” by Daddy Yankee and Zion and Lennox.
Kenzo Nudo, "Love Island USA" Season 5 contestant: “Dakiti” by Bad Bunny and Jhayco.
Carmen Kocourek, "Love Island USA" Season 5 contestant: “…Ready for It?” by Taylor Swift.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona celebs reveal their walk-up songs for World Series 2023
