Steppenwolf

About

Also known as: John Kay & Steppenwolf, Steppenvolf

Few bands have left as deep a mark on rock history as Steppenwolf, the Canadian American outfit that gave the world "Born to Be Wild" in 1968. That song, written by Mars Bonfire and famously blasted across the opening credits of Easy Rider, was the first rock track to use the phrase "heavy metal" in its lyrics, referring to the thunder of a motorcycle engine. Together with "The Pusher", also featured in the film, it helped cement Steppenwolf as the sound of late 60s counterculture. Over their peak years from 1968 to 1972, the band racked up 13 Billboard Hot 100 singles, seven gold albums, and worldwide sales of over 25 million records. "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Rock Me" both cracked the top 10, while the politically charged album Monster took aim at US Vietnam War policy. Frontman John Kay kept the band going under the name John Kay and Steppenwolf from 1980 until 2018, when they played their final concert, closing out five decades of heavy, bluesy rock.