Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf - More Posters & Photos »

Fact Sheet

Country

USA

Steppenwolf is a 1960s rock & roll band, best known for the hits "Born to Be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride". They were named after the novel Steppenwolf.

Frontman John Kay escaped at age 4 from East Germany, an event recounted in the song "Renegade" on the album "Steppenwolf Seven". His family resettled in West Germany, Canada and then the United States.

Steppenwolf rocketed to fame after their third single, "Born to Be Wild" was used in the movie Easy Rider. The song coined the term "heavy metal". This was followed by several more hits, including "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Rock Me". Fans consider their double album "Steppenwolf Live" the best of Steppenwolf's releases.

The band broke up in 1971, and Kay went on to lead a somewhat successful solo career, while the other band members continued touring for decades.

Tell us what you think in the Steppenwolf forum ...