Steppenwolf is a rock band that helped establish heavy metal music in the late 1960s along with bands like Blue Cheer and Iron Butterfly. The band was formed in 1967 in Los Angeles by vocalist John Kay, guitarist Michael Monarch, bassist Rushton Moreve, keyboardist Goldy McJohn and drummer Jerry Edmonton after the dissolution of its predecessor, The Sparrows.
The band has sold more than 25 million units worldwide, releasing 8 gold albums and 13 Hot 100 singles, including three top-10 hits in "Born to Be Wild", '"Magic Carpet Ride", and "Rock Me". Steppenwolf enjoyed worldwide success from 1968 to 1974, but clashing personalities led to the end of the core lineup. Today, frontman John Kay is the only original member left, having served as lead singer for almost all of the 40 years since 1967. Kay has stated that there will be no more Steppenwolf tours, but according to band manager Charlie Wolf, he has left open the possibility of doing "a half dozen shows in '09".
The band has sold more than 25 million units worldwide, releasing 8 gold albums and 13 Hot 100 singles, including three top-10 hits in "Born to Be Wild", '"Magic Carpet Ride", and "Rock Me". Steppenwolf enjoyed worldwide success from 1968 to 1974, but clashing personalities led to the end of the core lineup. Today, frontman John Kay is the only original member left, having served as lead singer for almost all of the 40 years since 1967. Kay has stated that there will be no more Steppenwolf tours, but according to band manager Charlie Wolf, he has left open the possibility of doing "a half dozen shows in '09".
The Sparrows
Steppenwolf had its roots in a Toronto blues-influenced rock band called The Sparrows, which was established in 1964 by brothers Dennis , Jerry Edmonton and Nick St. Nicholas (German born, like Kay). Kay joined The Sparrows in September 1965 to sing and play guitar after the original singer, Jack London, left the group. Shortly thereafter, Goldy McJohn, who had once played in The Mynah Birds with Neil Young and Rick James, was brought in to replace departed keyboardist Art Ayre. The band shortened its name to The Sparrow in May 1966.
The band had some success in Toronto, and then Stanton J. Freeman became their Manager and took them to New York where he booked them into The Barge in Westhampton for a month and arranged a record deal with Columbia Records. The Album was not released until Steppenwolf became popular. Freeman then took them to San Francisco for the "Summer of Love". Dennis Edmonton and Nick St. Nicholas quit at this point to pursue other musical ventures. 17-year-old Michael Monarch and Rushton Moreve replaced them for a short time in The Sparrows before the band changed its name to Steppenwolf, at the suggestion of Dunhill Records producer Gabriel Mekler, who facilitated the band's signing with his employer.
Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf rocketed to world-wide fame after their third single, "Born to Be Wild", and their cover of Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher" were prominently used in the 1969 cult film Easy Rider (both titles originally had been released on the band's debut album). In the movie, "The Pusher" accompanies a drug deal, and Peter Fonda stuffing dollar bills into his Stars & Stripes-clad fuel tank, while "Born to Be Wild" is then seen in the opening credits, with Fonda and Hopper riding their Harley choppers through the American West. The song, which is closely associated with motorcycles ever since, introduced to rock lyrics the signature term "heavy metal" (in fact, not about a kind of music, but about a motorcycle: "I like smoke and lightning, heavy metal thunder, racin' with the wind..."). The song had already reached number 2 on the charts by the summer of 1968. It had been written by Jerry Edmonton's elder brother(and former Sparrow guitarist), Dennis, who had begun using the pen name Mars Bonfire.
This was followed by several more hits, including "Magic Carpet Ride" (which reached #3) from Steppenwolf The Second and "Rock Me" (which reached #10) from At Your Birthday Party. Many fans consider their double album Steppenwolf Live (an extended single album in the UK) the best of Steppenwolf's releases, though John Kay expressed a personal dislike for the album in his autobiography, Magic Carpet Ride.
Monster, which criticized US policy of the Nixon-era, and Steppenwolf 7 were the band's most political albums,which included the song Snowblind Friend a song about the era and attitudes of drug problems. They are still fondly remembered by fans as two of the best rock & roll snapshots of the attitudes of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
There were several changes in the group's personell after the first few years. Moreve was fired from the group in 1969 for missing gigs after he became afraid to return to LA, convinced that it was going to be leveled by an earthquake and fall into the sea. Rob Black filled in for Moreve until Nick St. Nicholas, Kay's old German buddy and former Sparrow member, came aboard. Monarch quit after disagreements with Kay that same year and was replaced by Larry Byrom . St. Nicholas' tenure with the group proved to be brief and he himself was let go in 1970 after incurring Kay's wrath by showing up onstage in a bunny suit and playing his bass loudly and out of tune. The above tales were related by Kay in his 1994 autobiography Magic Carpet Ride (co-written with Canadian author John Einarson ) . George Biondo was then recruited and guitarist Kent Henry replaced Byrom in 1971.
The band broke up in 1972 following the release of another political concept album, For Ladies Only, and Kay went on to a successful though inconsistent solo career, scoring a minor solo hit in 1972 with "I'm Movin' On" from his album Forgotten Songs and Unsung Heroes.
Kay toured Europe as The John Kay Band in 1972 and Steppenwolf was on the bill too with Kay fronting both groups. His rapport with Steppenwolf and the audiences' enthusiastic responses convinced him that maybe Steppenwolf had disbanded prematurely.
Reunion
Steppenwolf reformed in 1974 with its core linup of Kay, Edmonton, and McJohn, along with longtime bassist Biondo and newcomer Bobby Cochran, Eddie Cochran's nephew. The band signed with Mums Records in retaliation for what Kay perceived as a lack of support by Dunhill Records for his solo album. Their first album apart from Dunhill was Slow Flux which included their last Top-40 hit, "Straight Shootin' Woman". Following the tour in support of the album's release, McJohn was dismissed for what Kay described as a decline in his quality in play, as well as erratic behavior. McJohn was replaced by Andy Chapin on Hour of the Wolf in 1975, though McJohn appeared in artwork for the single to Caroline (Are You Ready) and claims that his keyboard work can be heard on many of the album's tracks. After the album peaked at #155, the band attempted to break up, but the label, now having been absorbed by Epic Records, insisted Steppenwolf record one more album to satisfy their contractual obligations. The ensuing album, Skullduggery (1976), featuring Wayne Cook on keyboards, was released without a tour to support it, and Steppenwolf disbanded a second time.
New Steppenwolf
From 1977 until 1980 there were a variety of Steppenwolfs put out on the road by a disreputable concert promoter named Steve Green. Another promoter, David Pesnell, reportedly acted as manager for an incarnation featuring former members Nick St. Nicholas, Goldy McJohn and Kent Henry, but without Kay himself. A new studio album, produced by Phil Spector, was attempted in 1978 but abandoned due to Pesnell and Spector's hateful relationship with each other. The relationship ended with a well documented fist fight between the two at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in which Pesnell sent Spector to the hospital where he stayed for three nights. Assault charges were dropped against Pesnell after it was determined by the Los Angeles Police Department that Spector had instigated the fight. Another album, The Night Of The Wolf, was said to have been recorded and produced by Pesnell in 1979 featuring such songs as "Night of the Wolf" and "I Don't Want To Lose You" but never released. A concert tour in the U.S., Canada and Europe was promoted by Pesnell with the opening acts including Iron Butterfly. The St. Nicholas/McJohn grouping eventually disbanded due to exhaustion and heavy drug use by Nick St. Nicholas, Goldy McJohn, drummer Frankie Banali. St. Nicholas formed yet another version and went back out on the road. McJohn also eventually headed back out himself with another lineup that sometimes included Kent Henry. Frankie Banali later went on to join Quiet Riot.
After hearing of the bogus Steppenwolfs, John Kay was furious since an original agreement among the bandmembers in the early 70s stated that anyone leaving forfeited any rights on the group's name, while the last original members standing when the group disbanded(Kay and Jerry Edmonton, as it turned out)would have exclusive claims on the name hereafter. At their lawyers' advice, Kay & Edmonton agreed to license the name to the others. This licensing agreement stated that Goldy & Nick would have to give up their Steppenwolf record royalties forever in order to go forward. They both(perhaps unknowingly or not totally appreciating what they were giving up) agreed. Eventually, the agreement was terminated after promised fees were not paid to Kay & Edmonton. John Kay then took to the road in 1980 with a new lineup as John Kay & Steppenwolf to drive the fake groups off the road and out of business once and for all.
John Kay & Steppenwolf
John Kay & Steppenwolf at Lillehammer Rock Weekend in Lillehammer, Norway.
Reportedly, John Kay had a couple of meetings with David Pesnell, (after his release from rehab for his drinking and drug problems), about management, concert promotions and producing a new album for the band. Pesnell wanted to produce an album featuring new songs on Side A, by the reformed band Three Dog Night and with Side B of the album featuring songs by Steppenwolf. The album's working name was "Back to Back", a play on each band having a side of the album and the fact the bands were back together again. Pesnell's concept was simple; each band would record four new songs, with a fifth song on each side featuring a medley of the band's past songs. This would give the Pesnell produced album a double release of singles to support a concert tour featuring the two bands. Many individuals inside the music industry believed the concept was solid and would lead to greater success for the two reunited bands, but Pesnell could not get John Kay or the members of Three Dog Night to agree on the various elements of the project and he eventually dropped the project, much to the dismay of Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night. As crazy as it may be, even though both bands liked the concept of the album and tour, the arguments included who would be Side A and Side B and which of the two would headline the upcoming concert tour.
The reformed John Kay & Steppenwolf lineup featured(besides Kay) Mike Palmer(guitars, backing vocals), Steve Palmer(drums, backing vocals), Danny Ironstone(keyboards, backing vocals) and Kurtis Teel on bass. The Palmer brothers had played in a group called Tall Water and had also been involved with Kay in his solo career in the late 70s. Teel was replaced by Chad Peery and Ironstone by Brett Tuggle by 1981 and the new grouping put out Live in London overseas. Tuggle was then displaced by Michael Wilk and a new studio album, Wolf Tracks, was released in 1982 on the small Attic(Nautilus in the U.S.) record label. Bassist Welton Gite, who appeared on this album, left shortly after its completion and was replaced by Gary Link. Another album, Paradox, followed in 1984.
In early 1985 the Palmer brothers and Gary Link departed Steppenwolf and Kay & Wilk decided to continue on with a pared down quartet that comprised: Kay, Wilk, Ron Hurst(drums, backing vocals) and Rocket Ritchotte(guitars, backing vocals). Wilk would also handle bass duties from his keyboards from here on. This lineup released Rock N' Roll Rebels(1987) and Rise & Shine(1990). Both of these were on the Qwil & I.R.S. Records imprints respectively. Ritchotte had departed temporarily in 1989 to be replaced by Les Dudek and then Steve Fister but then returned in 1990 for three more years. Fister(ex- Iron Butterfly) came back in late 1993 but turned guitar duties over to Danny Johnson(formerly of Derringer, Rod Stewart and others) in 1996.
As the band was named after the Steppenwolf (novel) by German author Hermann Hesse, who was born in the Black Forest town of Calw, the city invited them to come over and play in the International Hermann-Hesse-Festival 2002, along with other bands inspired by Hesse, like Anyone's Daughter. The concert drew considerable media coverage, with Kay's fluent German stunning those who did not know beforehand about him growing up in Germany.
The band performed its farewell concert October 6, 2007 at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland featuring Kay, longtime keyboardist Michael Wilk, drummer Ron Hurst, and guitarist Danny Johnson.
A 2007 newsletter from John Kay's Wolfpack fanclub states there will be some remastering of the band's classic albums throughout 2007 and 2008.
Steppenwolf had its roots in a Toronto blues-influenced rock band called The Sparrows, which was established in 1964 by brothers Dennis , Jerry Edmonton and Nick St. Nicholas (German born, like Kay). Kay joined The Sparrows in September 1965 to sing and play guitar after the original singer, Jack London, left the group. Shortly thereafter, Goldy McJohn, who had once played in The Mynah Birds with Neil Young and Rick James, was brought in to replace departed keyboardist Art Ayre. The band shortened its name to The Sparrow in May 1966.
The band had some success in Toronto, and then Stanton J. Freeman became their Manager and took them to New York where he booked them into The Barge in Westhampton for a month and arranged a record deal with Columbia Records. The Album was not released until Steppenwolf became popular. Freeman then took them to San Francisco for the "Summer of Love". Dennis Edmonton and Nick St. Nicholas quit at this point to pursue other musical ventures. 17-year-old Michael Monarch and Rushton Moreve replaced them for a short time in The Sparrows before the band changed its name to Steppenwolf, at the suggestion of Dunhill Records producer Gabriel Mekler, who facilitated the band's signing with his employer.
Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf rocketed to world-wide fame after their third single, "Born to Be Wild", and their cover of Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher" were prominently used in the 1969 cult film Easy Rider (both titles originally had been released on the band's debut album). In the movie, "The Pusher" accompanies a drug deal, and Peter Fonda stuffing dollar bills into his Stars & Stripes-clad fuel tank, while "Born to Be Wild" is then seen in the opening credits, with Fonda and Hopper riding their Harley choppers through the American West. The song, which is closely associated with motorcycles ever since, introduced to rock lyrics the signature term "heavy metal" (in fact, not about a kind of music, but about a motorcycle: "I like smoke and lightning, heavy metal thunder, racin' with the wind..."). The song had already reached number 2 on the charts by the summer of 1968. It had been written by Jerry Edmonton's elder brother(and former Sparrow guitarist), Dennis, who had begun using the pen name Mars Bonfire.
This was followed by several more hits, including "Magic Carpet Ride" (which reached #3) from Steppenwolf The Second and "Rock Me" (which reached #10) from At Your Birthday Party. Many fans consider their double album Steppenwolf Live (an extended single album in the UK) the best of Steppenwolf's releases, though John Kay expressed a personal dislike for the album in his autobiography, Magic Carpet Ride.
Monster, which criticized US policy of the Nixon-era, and Steppenwolf 7 were the band's most political albums,which included the song Snowblind Friend a song about the era and attitudes of drug problems. They are still fondly remembered by fans as two of the best rock & roll snapshots of the attitudes of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
There were several changes in the group's personell after the first few years. Moreve was fired from the group in 1969 for missing gigs after he became afraid to return to LA, convinced that it was going to be leveled by an earthquake and fall into the sea. Rob Black filled in for Moreve until Nick St. Nicholas, Kay's old German buddy and former Sparrow member, came aboard. Monarch quit after disagreements with Kay that same year and was replaced by Larry Byrom . St. Nicholas' tenure with the group proved to be brief and he himself was let go in 1970 after incurring Kay's wrath by showing up onstage in a bunny suit and playing his bass loudly and out of tune. The above tales were related by Kay in his 1994 autobiography Magic Carpet Ride (co-written with Canadian author John Einarson ) . George Biondo was then recruited and guitarist Kent Henry replaced Byrom in 1971.
The band broke up in 1972 following the release of another political concept album, For Ladies Only, and Kay went on to a successful though inconsistent solo career, scoring a minor solo hit in 1972 with "I'm Movin' On" from his album Forgotten Songs and Unsung Heroes.
Kay toured Europe as The John Kay Band in 1972 and Steppenwolf was on the bill too with Kay fronting both groups. His rapport with Steppenwolf and the audiences' enthusiastic responses convinced him that maybe Steppenwolf had disbanded prematurely.
Reunion
Steppenwolf reformed in 1974 with its core linup of Kay, Edmonton, and McJohn, along with longtime bassist Biondo and newcomer Bobby Cochran, Eddie Cochran's nephew. The band signed with Mums Records in retaliation for what Kay perceived as a lack of support by Dunhill Records for his solo album. Their first album apart from Dunhill was Slow Flux which included their last Top-40 hit, "Straight Shootin' Woman". Following the tour in support of the album's release, McJohn was dismissed for what Kay described as a decline in his quality in play, as well as erratic behavior. McJohn was replaced by Andy Chapin on Hour of the Wolf in 1975, though McJohn appeared in artwork for the single to Caroline (Are You Ready) and claims that his keyboard work can be heard on many of the album's tracks. After the album peaked at #155, the band attempted to break up, but the label, now having been absorbed by Epic Records, insisted Steppenwolf record one more album to satisfy their contractual obligations. The ensuing album, Skullduggery (1976), featuring Wayne Cook on keyboards, was released without a tour to support it, and Steppenwolf disbanded a second time.
New Steppenwolf
From 1977 until 1980 there were a variety of Steppenwolfs put out on the road by a disreputable concert promoter named Steve Green. Another promoter, David Pesnell, reportedly acted as manager for an incarnation featuring former members Nick St. Nicholas, Goldy McJohn and Kent Henry, but without Kay himself. A new studio album, produced by Phil Spector, was attempted in 1978 but abandoned due to Pesnell and Spector's hateful relationship with each other. The relationship ended with a well documented fist fight between the two at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in which Pesnell sent Spector to the hospital where he stayed for three nights. Assault charges were dropped against Pesnell after it was determined by the Los Angeles Police Department that Spector had instigated the fight. Another album, The Night Of The Wolf, was said to have been recorded and produced by Pesnell in 1979 featuring such songs as "Night of the Wolf" and "I Don't Want To Lose You" but never released. A concert tour in the U.S., Canada and Europe was promoted by Pesnell with the opening acts including Iron Butterfly. The St. Nicholas/McJohn grouping eventually disbanded due to exhaustion and heavy drug use by Nick St. Nicholas, Goldy McJohn, drummer Frankie Banali. St. Nicholas formed yet another version and went back out on the road. McJohn also eventually headed back out himself with another lineup that sometimes included Kent Henry. Frankie Banali later went on to join Quiet Riot.
After hearing of the bogus Steppenwolfs, John Kay was furious since an original agreement among the bandmembers in the early 70s stated that anyone leaving forfeited any rights on the group's name, while the last original members standing when the group disbanded(Kay and Jerry Edmonton, as it turned out)would have exclusive claims on the name hereafter. At their lawyers' advice, Kay & Edmonton agreed to license the name to the others. This licensing agreement stated that Goldy & Nick would have to give up their Steppenwolf record royalties forever in order to go forward. They both(perhaps unknowingly or not totally appreciating what they were giving up) agreed. Eventually, the agreement was terminated after promised fees were not paid to Kay & Edmonton. John Kay then took to the road in 1980 with a new lineup as John Kay & Steppenwolf to drive the fake groups off the road and out of business once and for all.
John Kay & Steppenwolf
John Kay & Steppenwolf at Lillehammer Rock Weekend in Lillehammer, Norway.
Reportedly, John Kay had a couple of meetings with David Pesnell, (after his release from rehab for his drinking and drug problems), about management, concert promotions and producing a new album for the band. Pesnell wanted to produce an album featuring new songs on Side A, by the reformed band Three Dog Night and with Side B of the album featuring songs by Steppenwolf. The album's working name was "Back to Back", a play on each band having a side of the album and the fact the bands were back together again. Pesnell's concept was simple; each band would record four new songs, with a fifth song on each side featuring a medley of the band's past songs. This would give the Pesnell produced album a double release of singles to support a concert tour featuring the two bands. Many individuals inside the music industry believed the concept was solid and would lead to greater success for the two reunited bands, but Pesnell could not get John Kay or the members of Three Dog Night to agree on the various elements of the project and he eventually dropped the project, much to the dismay of Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night. As crazy as it may be, even though both bands liked the concept of the album and tour, the arguments included who would be Side A and Side B and which of the two would headline the upcoming concert tour.
The reformed John Kay & Steppenwolf lineup featured(besides Kay) Mike Palmer(guitars, backing vocals), Steve Palmer(drums, backing vocals), Danny Ironstone(keyboards, backing vocals) and Kurtis Teel on bass. The Palmer brothers had played in a group called Tall Water and had also been involved with Kay in his solo career in the late 70s. Teel was replaced by Chad Peery and Ironstone by Brett Tuggle by 1981 and the new grouping put out Live in London overseas. Tuggle was then displaced by Michael Wilk and a new studio album, Wolf Tracks, was released in 1982 on the small Attic(Nautilus in the U.S.) record label. Bassist Welton Gite, who appeared on this album, left shortly after its completion and was replaced by Gary Link. Another album, Paradox, followed in 1984.
In early 1985 the Palmer brothers and Gary Link departed Steppenwolf and Kay & Wilk decided to continue on with a pared down quartet that comprised: Kay, Wilk, Ron Hurst(drums, backing vocals) and Rocket Ritchotte(guitars, backing vocals). Wilk would also handle bass duties from his keyboards from here on. This lineup released Rock N' Roll Rebels(1987) and Rise & Shine(1990). Both of these were on the Qwil & I.R.S. Records imprints respectively. Ritchotte had departed temporarily in 1989 to be replaced by Les Dudek and then Steve Fister but then returned in 1990 for three more years. Fister(ex- Iron Butterfly) came back in late 1993 but turned guitar duties over to Danny Johnson(formerly of Derringer, Rod Stewart and others) in 1996.
As the band was named after the Steppenwolf (novel) by German author Hermann Hesse, who was born in the Black Forest town of Calw, the city invited them to come over and play in the International Hermann-Hesse-Festival 2002, along with other bands inspired by Hesse, like Anyone's Daughter. The concert drew considerable media coverage, with Kay's fluent German stunning those who did not know beforehand about him growing up in Germany.
The band performed its farewell concert October 6, 2007 at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland featuring Kay, longtime keyboardist Michael Wilk, drummer Ron Hurst, and guitarist Danny Johnson.
A 2007 newsletter from John Kay's Wolfpack fanclub states there will be some remastering of the band's classic albums throughout 2007 and 2008.
Official Steppenwolf members :
______________________
1967-1969
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Monarch – lead guitar, backing vocals
Rushton Moreve – bass, backing vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1969
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Monarch – lead guitar, backing vocals
Rob Black/Nick St. Nicholas – bass, backing vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1969-1970
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Larry Byrom – lead guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, backing vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1970-1971
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Larry Byrom – lead guitar, vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1971-1972
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Kent Henry – lead guitar, backing vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1974
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1975
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Andy Chapin – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1976
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Wayne Cook – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1977(with Goldy McJohn)
Tom Pagon – lead vocals
Kent Henry/Tony Flynn – guitar, vocals
Jamie James – guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, vocals
Tony DeSanti – drums, vocals
1977(with Evan Smith)
Larry Green – lead vocals
Jamie James – guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals
Evan Smith – keyboards, vocals
Jack White – drums, vocals
1978(with Rushton Moreve)
Bob Simpson – lead vocals
Kent Henry – guitar, vocals
Rushton Moreve – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn/John Hall – keyboards, vocals
Jerry Posin – drums, vocals
1978(with Nick St. Nicholas)
Bob Simpson – lead vocals
Ruben DeFuentes/Tony Flynn – guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals
Geoff Emery – keyboards, vocals
Frankie Banali/Jack White/Dick Jurgens – drums, vocals
1979(with Goldy McJohn)
Peter McGraw – lead vocals
Paul Nauman – guitar, vocals
Rick Reed – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, vocals
Robbie Roberti – drums, vocals
1979-1980(with Nick St. Nicholas)
Tommy Holland – lead vocals
Ruben DeFuentes/Tony Flynn – guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals
Geoff Emery – keyboards, vocals
Jack White/Steve Riley – drums, vocals
1980(with Goldy McJohn)
Nick Graham – lead vocals
Kent Henry – guitar, vocals
Paul Conroe – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, vocals
Lawrence Hammock – drums, vocals
1980(with John Kay)
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
Kurtis Teel – bass, backing vocals
Danny Ironstone – keyboards, backing vocals
Steven Palmer – drums, backing vocals
1981
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
Chad Peery – bass, backing vocals
Brett Tuggle – keyboards, vocals
Steven Palmer – drums, backing vocals
1982
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
Welton Gite – bass, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, backing vocals
Steven Palmer – drums, backing vocals
1982-1984
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
Gary Link/Chad Peery – bass
Michael Wilk – keyboards, backing vocals
Steven Palmer – drums, backing vocals
1985-1989
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Rocket Richotte – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1989
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Les Dudek – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1989-1990
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Steve Fister – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1990-1993
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Rocket Richotte – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1993-1996
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Steve Fister – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1996-present
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Danny Johnson – lead guitar, vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, vocals
Steppenwolf
Current Members
John Kay Danny Johnson Michael Wilk Ron Hurst
Original band
John Kay Michael Monarch Rushton Moreve Goldy McJohn Jerry Edmonton
Studio albums
Steppenwolf The Second At Your Birthday Party Monster 7 For Ladies Only Slow Flux Hour of the Wolf Skullduggery Wolftracks Paradox Rock & Roll Rebels Rise & Shine Feed the Fire Summerdaze
Live albums
Early Steppenwolf Live Live in London Live at 25 Live In Louisville
Compilations
Gold: Their Great Hits Rest in Peace 16 Greatest Hits The ABC Collection Reborn To Be Wild Born to Be Wild - A Retrospective 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Steppenwolf All Time Greatest Hits Steppenwolf Gold
Videos
VHS: Hard Times to Hard Rock
DVD
Living Legends of Rock & Roll - Live from Itchycoo Park Live In Louisville Rock N’ Roll Greats
Singles
"A Girl I Knew" "Sookie Sookie" "Born to Be Wild" "Magic Carpet Ride" "Rock Me" "Its Never Too Late" "Move Over" "Monster" "Hey Lawdy Mama" "Screaming Night Hog" "Who Needs Ya" "The Pusher" "Snowblind Friend" "Ride With Me" "For Ladies Only" "Straight Shootin’ Woman" "Get Into The Wind" "Smokey Factory Blues" "Caroline" "Hot Night In A Cold Town"
1967-1969
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Monarch – lead guitar, backing vocals
Rushton Moreve – bass, backing vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1969
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Monarch – lead guitar, backing vocals
Rob Black/Nick St. Nicholas – bass, backing vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1969-1970
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Larry Byrom – lead guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, backing vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1970-1971
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Larry Byrom – lead guitar, vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1971-1972
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Kent Henry – lead guitar, backing vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1974
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1975
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Andy Chapin – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1976
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, vocals
George Biondo – bass, vocals
Wayne Cook – keyboards, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton – drums, lead vocals
1977(with Goldy McJohn)
Tom Pagon – lead vocals
Kent Henry/Tony Flynn – guitar, vocals
Jamie James – guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, vocals
Tony DeSanti – drums, vocals
1977(with Evan Smith)
Larry Green – lead vocals
Jamie James – guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals
Evan Smith – keyboards, vocals
Jack White – drums, vocals
1978(with Rushton Moreve)
Bob Simpson – lead vocals
Kent Henry – guitar, vocals
Rushton Moreve – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn/John Hall – keyboards, vocals
Jerry Posin – drums, vocals
1978(with Nick St. Nicholas)
Bob Simpson – lead vocals
Ruben DeFuentes/Tony Flynn – guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals
Geoff Emery – keyboards, vocals
Frankie Banali/Jack White/Dick Jurgens – drums, vocals
1979(with Goldy McJohn)
Peter McGraw – lead vocals
Paul Nauman – guitar, vocals
Rick Reed – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, vocals
Robbie Roberti – drums, vocals
1979-1980(with Nick St. Nicholas)
Tommy Holland – lead vocals
Ruben DeFuentes/Tony Flynn – guitar, vocals
Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals
Geoff Emery – keyboards, vocals
Jack White/Steve Riley – drums, vocals
1980(with Goldy McJohn)
Nick Graham – lead vocals
Kent Henry – guitar, vocals
Paul Conroe – bass, vocals
Goldy McJohn – keyboards, vocals
Lawrence Hammock – drums, vocals
1980(with John Kay)
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
Kurtis Teel – bass, backing vocals
Danny Ironstone – keyboards, backing vocals
Steven Palmer – drums, backing vocals
1981
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
Chad Peery – bass, backing vocals
Brett Tuggle – keyboards, vocals
Steven Palmer – drums, backing vocals
1982
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
Welton Gite – bass, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, backing vocals
Steven Palmer – drums, backing vocals
1982-1984
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
Gary Link/Chad Peery – bass
Michael Wilk – keyboards, backing vocals
Steven Palmer – drums, backing vocals
1985-1989
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Rocket Richotte – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1989
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Les Dudek – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1989-1990
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Steve Fister – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1990-1993
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Rocket Richotte – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1993-1996
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Steve Fister – lead guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, backing vocals
1996-present
John Kay – rhythm guitar, harmonica, lead vocals
Danny Johnson – lead guitar, vocals
Michael Wilk – keyboards, bass, vocals
Ron Hurst – drums, vocals
Steppenwolf
Current Members
John Kay Danny Johnson Michael Wilk Ron Hurst
Original band
John Kay Michael Monarch Rushton Moreve Goldy McJohn Jerry Edmonton
Studio albums
Steppenwolf The Second At Your Birthday Party Monster 7 For Ladies Only Slow Flux Hour of the Wolf Skullduggery Wolftracks Paradox Rock & Roll Rebels Rise & Shine Feed the Fire Summerdaze
Live albums
Early Steppenwolf Live Live in London Live at 25 Live In Louisville
Compilations
Gold: Their Great Hits Rest in Peace 16 Greatest Hits The ABC Collection Reborn To Be Wild Born to Be Wild - A Retrospective 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Steppenwolf All Time Greatest Hits Steppenwolf Gold
Videos
VHS: Hard Times to Hard Rock
DVD
Living Legends of Rock & Roll - Live from Itchycoo Park Live In Louisville Rock N’ Roll Greats
Singles
"A Girl I Knew" "Sookie Sookie" "Born to Be Wild" "Magic Carpet Ride" "Rock Me" "Its Never Too Late" "Move Over" "Monster" "Hey Lawdy Mama" "Screaming Night Hog" "Who Needs Ya" "The Pusher" "Snowblind Friend" "Ride With Me" "For Ladies Only" "Straight Shootin’ Woman" "Get Into The Wind" "Smokey Factory Blues" "Caroline" "Hot Night In A Cold Town"
Studio albums :
___________
Steppenwolf1968U.S. #6U.K. #59GoldDunhill Records
The Second1968U.S. #3GoldDunhill Records
At Your Birthday Party1969U.S. #7GoldDunhill Records
Monster1969U.S. #17U.K. #43GoldDunhill Records
71970U.S. #19GoldDunhill Records
For Ladies Only1971U.S. #54Dunhill Records
Slow Flux1974U.S. #47Mums Records
Hour of the Wolf1975U.S. #155Epic Records
Skullduggery1976Epic Records
Wolftracks1982Attic Records
Paradox1984Attic Records
Rock & Roll Rebels1987U.S. #171Qwil Records
Rise & Shine1990I.R.S. Records
Feed the Fire1996Winter Harvest Records
Summerdaze1997CMC International
Live albums :
Steppenwolf1968U.S. #6U.K. #59GoldDunhill Records
The Second1968U.S. #3GoldDunhill Records
At Your Birthday Party1969U.S. #7GoldDunhill Records
Monster1969U.S. #17U.K. #43GoldDunhill Records
71970U.S. #19GoldDunhill Records
For Ladies Only1971U.S. #54Dunhill Records
Slow Flux1974U.S. #47Mums Records
Hour of the Wolf1975U.S. #155Epic Records
Skullduggery1976Epic Records
Wolftracks1982Attic Records
Paradox1984Attic Records
Rock & Roll Rebels1987U.S. #171Qwil Records
Rise & Shine1990I.R.S. Records
Feed the Fire1996Winter Harvest Records
Summerdaze1997CMC International
Live albums :
__________
Early Steppenwolf1969 (recorded in 1967 as The Sparrow)U.S. #29Dunhill Records
Steppenwolf Live1970U.S. #7U.K. #16GoldDunhill Records
Live in London1981Mercury Records
Live at 251995K-Tel Records
Live In Louisville2004Rainman Records
Compilations :
Early Steppenwolf1969 (recorded in 1967 as The Sparrow)U.S. #29Dunhill Records
Steppenwolf Live1970U.S. #7U.K. #16GoldDunhill Records
Live in London1981Mercury Records
Live at 251995K-Tel Records
Live In Louisville2004Rainman Records
Compilations :
__________
Gold: Their Great Hits1971U.S. #24GoldDunhill Records
Rest In Peace1972U.S. #62Dunhill Records
16 Greatest Hits1973U.S. #152GoldDunhill Records
The ABC Collection1976ABC Records
Reborn To Be Wild1976Epic Records
Born to Be Wild - A Retrospective1991MCA Records
All Time Greatest Hits1999MCA Records
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Steppenwolf2000GoldUniversal Music Group
Steppenwolf Gold2005Geffen Records
Singles :
Gold: Their Great Hits1971U.S. #24GoldDunhill Records
Rest In Peace1972U.S. #62Dunhill Records
16 Greatest Hits1973U.S. #152GoldDunhill Records
The ABC Collection1976ABC Records
Reborn To Be Wild1976Epic Records
Born to Be Wild - A Retrospective1991MCA Records
All Time Greatest Hits1999MCA Records
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Steppenwolf2000GoldUniversal Music Group
Steppenwolf Gold2005Geffen Records
Singles :
______
Release date
A-side
B-side
US Chart Peak
UK Chart Peak
1967
"A Girl I Knew" (Kay/Cavett)
"The Ostrich" (Kay)
1968
"Born to Be Wild" (Bonfire)
"Everybody's Next One" (Kay/Mekler)
#2
#30
1968
"Sookie Sookie" (Covay/Cropper)
"Take What You Need" (Kay/Mekler)
1968
"Magic Carpet Ride" (Moreve/Kay)
"Sookie Sookie" (Covay/Cropper)
#3
1969
"Rock Me" (Kay)
"Jupiter Child" (Monarch/Kay/Edmonton)
#10
1969
"It's Never Too Late" (St. Nicholas/Kay)
"Happy Birthday" (Mekler)
#51
1969
"Move Over" (Kay/Mekler)
"Power Play" (Kay)
#31
1969
"Monster" (Kay/Edmonton/St. Nicholas/Byrom)
"Berry Rides Again" (Kay)
#39
1970
"Hey Lawdy Mama" (Kay/Byrom/Edmonton)
"Twisted" (Kay)
#35
1970
"Screaming Night Hog" (Kay)
"Spiritual Fantasy" (Kay)
#62
1970
"Who Needs Ya" (Byrom/Kay)
"Earschplittenloudenboomer" (Byrom)
#54
1970
"Snowblind Friend" (Axton)
"Hippo Stomp" (Byrom/Kay)
1971
"Ride With Me" (Bonfire)
"For Madmen Only"
#52
1971
"For Ladies Only" (Edmonton/Henry/Kay/McJohn)
"Sparkle Eyes" (Biondo/Kay)
#64
1974
"Straight Shootin' Woman" (Edmonton)
"Justice Don't Be Slow" (Kay/Richie)
#29
1975
"Get Into The Wind" (Cochran/Van Beek)
"Morning Blue" (Biondo)
1975
"Smokey Factory Blues" (Hammond/Hazlewood)
"A Fool's Fantasy" (McJohn)
#108
1975
"Caroline (Are You Ready)" (Bonfire)
"Angeldrawers"
1981
"Hot Night In A Cold Town" (Littlefield/Cushing-Murray)
Videography:
Release date
A-side
B-side
US Chart Peak
UK Chart Peak
1967
"A Girl I Knew" (Kay/Cavett)
"The Ostrich" (Kay)
1968
"Born to Be Wild" (Bonfire)
"Everybody's Next One" (Kay/Mekler)
#2
#30
1968
"Sookie Sookie" (Covay/Cropper)
"Take What You Need" (Kay/Mekler)
1968
"Magic Carpet Ride" (Moreve/Kay)
"Sookie Sookie" (Covay/Cropper)
#3
1969
"Rock Me" (Kay)
"Jupiter Child" (Monarch/Kay/Edmonton)
#10
1969
"It's Never Too Late" (St. Nicholas/Kay)
"Happy Birthday" (Mekler)
#51
1969
"Move Over" (Kay/Mekler)
"Power Play" (Kay)
#31
1969
"Monster" (Kay/Edmonton/St. Nicholas/Byrom)
"Berry Rides Again" (Kay)
#39
1970
"Hey Lawdy Mama" (Kay/Byrom/Edmonton)
"Twisted" (Kay)
#35
1970
"Screaming Night Hog" (Kay)
"Spiritual Fantasy" (Kay)
#62
1970
"Who Needs Ya" (Byrom/Kay)
"Earschplittenloudenboomer" (Byrom)
#54
1970
"Snowblind Friend" (Axton)
"Hippo Stomp" (Byrom/Kay)
1971
"Ride With Me" (Bonfire)
"For Madmen Only"
#52
1971
"For Ladies Only" (Edmonton/Henry/Kay/McJohn)
"Sparkle Eyes" (Biondo/Kay)
#64
1974
"Straight Shootin' Woman" (Edmonton)
"Justice Don't Be Slow" (Kay/Richie)
#29
1975
"Get Into The Wind" (Cochran/Van Beek)
"Morning Blue" (Biondo)
1975
"Smokey Factory Blues" (Hammond/Hazlewood)
"A Fool's Fantasy" (McJohn)
#108
1975
"Caroline (Are You Ready)" (Bonfire)
"Angeldrawers"
1981
"Hot Night In A Cold Town" (Littlefield/Cushing-Murray)
Videography:
__________
Hard Times to Hard Rock1995K-Tel Video
Living Legends of Rock & Roll - Live from Itchycoo Park2001Image Entertainment
Live In Louisville2004Rainman Records
Rock N’ Roll Greats2005Passport Video
Hard Times to Hard Rock1995K-Tel Video
Living Legends of Rock & Roll - Live from Itchycoo Park2001Image Entertainment
Live In Louisville2004Rainman Records
Rock N’ Roll Greats2005Passport Video
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