Iron Butterfly

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Iron Butterfly
Iron Butterfly (1969).png
Classic lineup of Iron Butterfly in 1969: from left to right Doug Ingle (organ, lead vocals), Ron Bushy (drums, percussion), Lee Dorman (bass, backing vocals), Erik Brann (guitars, backing and occasional lead vocals)
Background information
Origin San Diego, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1966–1971
  • 1974–1985
  • 1987–2012
  • 2015–present
Labels
MembersEric Barnett
Martin Gerschwitz
Dave Meros
Bernie Pershey
Past members See "Former members"
Website ironbutterfly.com

Iron Butterfly is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1966. They are best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", providing a dramatic sound that led the way towards the development of hard rock and heavy metal music. Although their heyday was the late 1960s, the band has been reincarnated with various members with varying levels of success with no new recordings since 1975. Their second album, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968), remains a best-seller, and Iron Butterfly was the first group to receive an In-House platinum album award from Atlantic Records. [5] Their music has found a significant impact on the international rock scenes, influencing numerous acts such as Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Rush, Alice Cooper, Mountain, Uriah Heep, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Slayer, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and Queens of the Stone Age. [6]

Contents

History

Formation and Heavy (1966–1968)

Ron Bushy, Iron Butterfly performing "In a Gadda da Vida", Germany, May 2005 Ironbutterfly 01.jpg
Ron Bushy, Iron Butterfly performing "In a Gadda da Vida", Germany, May 2005

The band formed in 1966 in San Diego. [7] The original members were Doug Ingle (vocals, organ, formerly of Jeri and the Jeritones and Palace Pages, Iron Butterfly's forerunner), Jack Pinney (drums), Greg Willis (bass), and Danny Weis (guitar, also of Palace Pages). The group were soon joined by vocalist and tambourine player Darryl DeLoach. DeLoach's parents’ garage served as the site for their almost nightly rehearsals.

Jerry Penrod replaced Willis after the band relocated to Los Angeles in the summer of 1966. Pinney eventually left to return to school. Bruce Morse then replaced Pinney until Ron Bushy (from a group called the Voxmen) came aboard when Morse left due to a family emergency. A booking at Bido Lito's club in Hollywood soon led to regular appearances at the Galaxy Club and the Whisky a Go Go.

In early 1968, after the band signed a deal with Atco Records, an Atlantic Records subsidiary, the band's debut album Heavy was released. The group was signed by Atlantic's Charles Greene, who was co-producer of Heavy. All but Ingle and Bushy left the band after completing the album in the late summer of 1967. The two remaining musicians, faced with the possibility of the record not being released, quickly found replacements in bassist Lee Dorman and 17-year-old guitarist Erik Brann (also known as "Erik Braunn" and "Erik Braun") and resumed touring. In a 1986 interview with IB's fan club fanzine, The Butterfly Net, Brann stated that Jeff Beck, Neil Young, and Michael Monarch (who would go on to join Steppenwolf) had also expressed interest in joining the group to replace Weis.

After Brann was chosen, Penrod and DeLoach, uncomfortable with Brann's young age and frustrated with the time it was taking him to learn the band's repertoire, left the group after Weis did. Weis and Penrod went on to form the group Rhinoceros. In 1970 DeLoach formed Flintwhistle along with Jerry Penrod and Erik Brann. They performed live for about a year before breaking up.

Success with In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and first breakup (1968–1971)

The 17-minute "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", the title track of Iron Butterfly's second album, became a top-30 hit (edited down to 2:52) in the U. S. The album was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in December 1968. [8] The album stayed on the Billboard charts for 140 weeks and ultimately sold over 30 million copies. [9]

During this time, the band was represented by the William Morris Agency, which booked all their live concerts. Iron Butterfly played its first national tour in the summer of 1968 alongside Jefferson Airplane. [10] By the end of 1968, the band was back in the studio at work on their next album. Iron Butterfly's third album, Ball , was released in January 1969 and went gold, reaching #3 on the Billboard charts.

The band had been booked to play at Woodstock in August 1969 but got stuck at New York City's LaGuardia Airport. They explained their situation to the concert promoters and asked for patience. Their manager, however, sent a telegram demanding that Iron Butterfly be flown in by helicopter, whereupon they would "immediately" take the stage. After their set, they would be paid and flown back to the airport. According to drummer Bushy, "We went down to the Port Authority three times and waited for the helicopter, but it never showed up". [11] Woodstock production coordinator John Morris claims he sent the manager a telegram reading: "For reasons I can't go into / Until you are here / Clarifying your situation / Knowing you are having problems / You will have to find / Other transportation / Unless you plan not to come." The acrostic formed by the first letter of each line in the telegram made it clear that the band was not welcome. [12]

Erik Brann left the band after a final show in San Diego on December 13, 1969. Brann was frustrated with the band's unwillingness to move towards a harder rock sound. He was replaced in the line-up by two new musicians: guitarist/vocalist Mike Pinera (whose Blues Image had opened for Iron Butterfly's Vida tour) and guitarist Larry Reinhardt (from the Allman Brothers Band forerunner Second Coming). Both Pinera and Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt had been rehearsing secretly with the band since September 1969 after Brann had voiced his objections to continuing. In August 1970 Iron Butterfly released its fourth studio album Metamorphosis . The album managed to get into the Billboard top 20.

While Iron Butterfly was touring in Europe with Yes in early 1971, Doug Ingle announced his intention to leave the group. Ingle had grown tired of endless touring and wasn't totally on board with the band's new guitar-oriented blues and soul direction. The remaining four members cut the 45 rpm single, "Silly Sally" (with Bushy eventually being replaced on the record by a session drummer, at the producer's prompting). Putting forth a horn-based sound more characteristic of groups like Blood Sweat and Tears, the single failed to chart and proved to be their last recording before their mid-1970s reformation.

The band, with Ingle in tow, decided to play one final tour, pairing with Black Oak Arkansas. Pinera's band-mate from Blues Image, drummer Manny Bertematti, filled in for Bushy for most of the tour dates because of the latter's shoulder injury. The group then broke up after playing the tour's final show at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon on May 23, 1971. [13] Another reason for the band not continuing at this time, according to a later interview by Pinera, was the U. S. Internal Revenue Service's effort to collect unpaid taxes.

Dorman and Reinhardt subsequently founded Captain Beyond. [14]

Reunions (1974–2011)

Bassist Lee Dorman in Prague on March 11, 2012 01 Iron Butterfly Retro Music Hall Praha 11 3 2012.jpg
Bassist Lee Dorman in Prague on March 11, 2012

In 1974 Brann was contacted by a promoter about reforming Iron Butterfly, so he reunited with Ron Bushy to form a new version of the group, signing with MCA Records and joined by Bushy's friend, bassist Philip Taylor Kramer, and keyboardist Howard Reitzes, a friend of Brann's who worked in a music store. [15] Brann, who had done occasional lead vocals during Iron Butterfly's original run, served as the band's main lead vocalist this time. The album Scorching Beauty was released in January 1975 with Reitzes and Sun and Steel in October 1975 with Bill DeMartines replacing Reitzes. Both albums were criticized for bearing little resemblance to the original tone of the group and sold poorly compared to their earlier releases. [16]

In 1977 the Bushy/Brann/Kramer/DeMartines grouping wound down after being plagued with bad management and tour dates that had started off in theaters but ended up in bars and clubs. Bushy, Kramer and DeMartines formed Magic and Lee Dorman put together a new IB lineup with Rhino that contained British singer Jimi Henderson, Larry Kiernan on keyboards, David Love on guitar and Kevin Karamitros on drums. This grouping toured mostly in the South. By 1978 the lineup was Dorman, Karamitros, Pinera and John Leimseider on keyboards.

In the late fall of 1978, a German promoter made an offer for the band to tour. The Metamorphosis lineup (Ingle, Bushy, Dorman, Pinera and Rhino) made preparations, but just before they were to depart for Germany, Dorman's father took ill and another bassist, Keith Ellis (formerly of Boxer), was brought in to cover for Dorman in case he had to suddenly return to the US. During the tour, Ellis died in Darmstadt, Germany on December 12, 1978.

After their return to the US, the Metamorphosis group played a few homecoming shows in early 1979, joined by Erik Brann for guest appearances. Later in 1979, Bushy returned to his other group, Gold, and the next IB lineup was: Mike Pinera, Lee Dorman, Doug Ingle, a returning John Leimseider and Dorman's Captain Beyond band-mate, drummer Bobby Caldwell. Still later that same year, Bobby Hasbrook, from Hawaii, joined the band as lead guitarist and lead vocals alongside Dorman, Pinera, Caldwell and Leimseider.

IB's lineup was in a constant state of flux from late 1979 on as exhibited in the following groupings: Brann, Dorman, Leimseider, Caldwell and Hasbrook (1979); Pinera, Brann, Dorman, Hasbrook, Caldwell and Nathan Pino – keyboards (1979); Dorman, Brann, Hasbrook, Tim Kislan – keyboards, Zam Johnson – drums and Starz Vanderlocket – vocals, percussion (1980); Dorman, Rhino, Leimseider, Randy Skirvin – guitar, Jimmy Rock – drums and Luke – vocals, percussion (1981–1982); Pinera, Dorman, Rhino, Guy Babylon – keyboards and Jan Uvena – drums (1982) plus Pinera, Dorman, Rhino, Babylon and Bushy (1982).

On July 31, 1982, the Pinera, Dorman, Rhino, Babylon and Bushy lineup went into Music Sound Connection Studio in Studio City, California to record some material, none of which has ever been released.

At the tail end of 1982, Ingle returned to the fold once more as John Shearer (from Steve Hackett's band) came in on drums and percussionist Luke also rejoined since Bushy had taken a sales job outside of music for Makita Tools. Brann (who had guested at some shows during 1982) soon ended his association with the band at this time as well.

Pinera left again, as did Luke, in 1983 and IB worked on some more material in September of that year, with drummer Jerry Sommers playing on some tracks. But once again, nothing ever came of it.

Then Ingle, Dorman, Rhino and drummer Rick Rotante undertook the "Wings of Flight Tour" in early 1984, with Lenny Campanero (ex-Badfinger) replacing Rotante for more recording sessions at Salty Dog Studios in Van Nuys, California.

The "Legends Tour" took place in the fall of 1984 with Ingle, Dorman, Campanero and guitarist Steve Fister (later of Steppenwolf) and another Steppenwolf alumnus, bassist Kurtis Teel, took Dorman's spot for the "Phoenix Tour" in the fall of '85, which ended in late November, shortly after which, Teel suddenly died of a heart murmur on December 2. The group then disbanded once again due to managerial problems.

In the spring of 1987, Bushy and Pinera got back together to tour as Iron Butterfly for the "Wings of Flight 87" tour (Dorman was captaining a fishing boat, so was not available at this time) with Ace Baker (keyboards) and Kelly Reubens (bass). Tim Von Hoffman and Glen Rappold (guitar, bass) soon replaced Ace Baker and drummer Donny Vosburgh (who'd been in Thee Image with Pinera) guested at some of these 1987 shows and subbed for Bushy on others. But this was short-lived, as Bushy and then Brann both rehearsed different IB lineups in August and September of that year (see Lineups below) that never made it to the concert stage.

In December 1987 the "classic lineup" of Ingle, Brann, Dorman and Bushy got together at The Roxy Theatre to prepare for a thirty date tour of the East Coast in the winter and spring of 1988 that culminated with an appearance at Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden on May 14, 1988, alongside Led Zeppelin and many others.

After this, Brann and Dorman decided to continue on, bringing in Rhino, keyboardist Derek Hilland and drummer Sal Rodriguez (replaced by Kenny Suarez). They were joined by singer/frontman Steve "Mick" Feldman and backup singers JoAnne Kurman-Montana and Cecelia Noel also appeared with the band for a few shows in 1989, as well as another drummer, Doug Freedman, who subbed for Suarez in the fall of '89. The 1989 IB lineup of Brann, Dorman, Rhino, Hilland, Feldman and Suarez appeared at Woodstock '89, which took place in August 1989 twenty years to the day of and on the site of the original Woodstock concert of 1969 as a spontaneous celebration of the event's 20th anniversary.

In 1990 after Brann fell out with the others and left Iron Butterfly for good, Dorman, Rhino, Hilland and Suarez recorded an album with singer Robert Tepper that was meant to be an IB album called We Will Rise but instead was shelved and eventually reworked into Tepper's 1996 solo album, No Rest For The Wounded Heart.

After the Tepper-led lineup failed to break through, Tepper left to continue his solo career and Dorman, Rhino and Bushy went back on the road in early 1993 with keyboardist Burt Diaz.

Doug Ingle rejoined the band in July 1994. In the spring of 1997 the band did a tour of Europe with "classic era" members Ingle, Bushy and Dorman, along with Hilland and Barnett. A DVD of live performances from this tour was released in 2008. Hilland was dropped in 1997 and Ingle officially retired from performing in early 1999. Singer/keysman Damian Bujanda had a brief tenure, but after leaving for personal reasons, Larry Rust joined the band as vocalist/keyboardist from 1999 to 2005.

In 2001, after Dorman took ill, one of the band's road crew, Oly Larios, sat in on bass.

Guitarist/vocalist Charlie Marinkovich joined the band in 2002. Originally from Seattle, Marinkovich had played with Randy Hansen and others. [17]

Original vocalist Darryl DeLoach (born on September 12, 1947) died of liver cancer on October 3, 2002, at the age of 55. [18] [ unreliable source? ] [19] [ unreliable source? ]

On July 25, 2003, Erik Brann died of heart failure at the age of 52. [20] [21]

Derek Hilland returned to play keyboards for the group's 2003 dates when Larry Rust was not available.

Larry Rust parted ways with the band in 2005 and was replaced by German violinist, keyboardist, and composer Martin Gerschwitz, who had formerly worked with Lita Ford, Meat Loaf, Walter Trout, and most recently Eric Burdon and The Animals. [22]

In early 2010, an announcement was made that Iron Butterfly would receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th Annual San Diego Music Awards, which took place on September 12, 2010. [23] The award was presented by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. [24] Later the same year, Ray Weston (formerly of Wishbone Ash) came in to substitute on drums for Ron Bushy after he was sidelined by health issues.

In early 2012, Phil Parlapiano substituted for Martin Gerschwitz for a few shows when Gerschwitz was unable to play due to his own solo-tour schedule. [25]

Deaths of Reinhardt and Dorman, and inactivity (2012–2014)

Former guitarist Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt died on January 2, 2012, at the age of 63, due to cirrhosis of the liver. [26] [27] Bassist Lee Dorman, who had a history of heart trouble, died on December 21, 2012, at the age of 70. [28] [27] Both Reinhardt and Dorman were also founding members of Captain Beyond.

Following Dorman's death, Iron Butterfly dissolved once more. Charlie Marinkovich revealed in 2013 that he had departed the band altogether and that Ron Bushy was very ill, shrouding the band's future in doubt. At times during his recovery in 2014, Ron Bushy entertained the idea of putting a new Iron Butterfly band together, possibly with Martin Gerschwitz returning on keyboards and lead vocals. [29]

Third reunion/tribute band and death of Ron Bushy (2015–present)

In late 2014, reports surfaced of the band reforming, with a lineup consisting of Bushy, Mike Pinera, Doug Ingle, Jr. on keyboards and an unnamed bassist. [30] However, this reformation did not come to fruition and in 2015 the band unveiled a lineup consisting of Bushy and returning guitarist Eric Barnett, along with new members Mike Green (percussion), Dave Meros (bass), Phil Parlapiano (keyboards) and Ray Weston (drums). Meros, Parlapiano and Weston had all previously played with Iron Butterfly as substitute musicians; Meros for Dorman (in 2006) Parlapiano for Gerschwitz (in 2012) and Weston for Bushy (in 2010) respectively.

At that time, Ron Bushy was still involved with Iron Butterfly, but was retired from performing due to his health concerns. This left Weston as the only active drummer in the band at all appearances from the 2015 reunion through the end of 2019. In the summer of 2018, Bushy made a rare guest appearance with the band at a gig in California. This turned out to be his first performance on stage with Iron Butterfly since 2012 and his very last one with the band. [31]

Former Butterfly keyboardist Larry Rust died peacefully at his home near Los Angeles on November 25, 2016, at the age of 63. Founding bassist Greg Willis died on November 11, 2016. A tribute concert was staged November 30 at Nicky Rottens in El Cajon. [26]

On January 15, 2020, the Official Iron Butterfly website and their booking agent announced the lineup of the band for 2020: Eric Barnett (guitar, vocals), Dave Meros (bass, vocals), Bernie Pershey (drums, percussion), Martin Gerschwitz (keyboards, vocals), with occasional guests or fill in musicians being Ron Bushy (drums, percussion), Ray Weston (drums, percussion) and Michael Thomas Franklin (keyboards). [32] [33]

On August 29, 2021, Iron Butterfly issued a statement that Bushy had died that morning at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica following a battle with esophageal cancer, at the age of 79, leaving him as the third member of the In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida lineup to die, following Erik Brann and Lee Dorman in 2003 and 2012 respectively, and Doug Ingle as the only surviving member of this lineup. [34] [35]

Personnel

Current

Former

  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals (1966–1971, 1978–79, 1983–1985, 1987–88, 1994–1999)
  • Jack Pinney – drums, percussion (1966)
  • Danny Weis – guitar (1966–1967)
  • Greg Willis – bass (1966)
  • Darryl DeLoach – tambourine, vocals (1966–1967)
  • Bruce Morse – drums, percussion (1966)
  • Jerry Penrod – bass, backing vocals (1966–1967)
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion (1966–1977, 1978–79, 1982, 1987–88, 1993–2012; guest 2015–2021)
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals (1967–1969, 1974–1977, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1982, 1987, 1987–1989)
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals (1967–1971, 1977–78, 1978–1985, 1987–2012)
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals (1970–1972, 1978–1979, 1982, 1987, 1993)
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar (1969–1971, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1981–1984, 1988–1993)
  • Philip Taylor Kramer – bass, keyboards, vocals (1974–1977)
  • Howard Reitzes – keyboards, vocals (1974–1975)
  • Bill DeMartines – keyboards, vocals (1975–1977, 1987)
  • Kevin Karamitros – drums (1977–1978)
  • Jimi Henderson – vocals (1977–1978)
  • Larry Kiernan – keyboards (1977–1978)
  • David Love – guitar (1977–1978)
  • John Leimseider – keyboards (1978, 1979, 1981–1982)
  • Keith Ellis – bass (1978)
  • Bobby Caldwell – drums, percussion (1979, substitute 1984)
  • Bobby Hasbrook – guitar, vocals (1979–1982)
  • Nathan Pino – keyboards (1979)
  • Zam Johnson – drums, percussion (1980)
  • Tim Kislan – keyboards (1980)
  • Starz Vanderlocket – percussion, vocals (1980)
  • Luke – percussion, vocals (1981–1982, 1982–1983)
  • Jimmy Rock – drums (1981–1982)
  • Randy Skirvin – guitar, vocals (1981–1982)
  • Guy Babylon – keyboards (1982–1983)
  • Jan Uvena – drums, percussion (1982)
  • John Shearer – drums (1982–1983)
  • Jerry Sommers – drums, percussion (1983)
  • Rick Rotante – drums, percussion (1983–1984)
  • Lenny Campanero – drums (1984–1985)
  • Steve Fister – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1985)
  • Kurtis Teel – bass (1985)
  • Kelly Reubens – bass (1987)
  • Tim Von Hoffman – keyboards (1987)
  • Glen Rappold – guitar, bass, vocals (1987)
  • Ace Baker – keyboards (1987)
  • Sal Rodriguez – drums (1987, 1988)
  • Jim Von Buelow – guitar (1987)
  • Bob Birch – bass (1987)
  • Doug Jackson – guitar (1987)
  • Lyle T. West – vocals (1987)
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals (1988–1990, 1993–1997; substitute – 2003)
  • Kenny Suarez – drums, percussion (1988–1992)
  • Steve "Mick" Feldman – vocals (1988–1990)
  • Robert Tepper – vocals (1990–1992)
  • Burt Diaz – keyboards (1993)
  • Denny Artache – guitar, vocals (1993)
  • Doug Bossey – guitar (1994–1995)
  • Damian Bujanda – keyboards, vocals (1999)
  • Larry Rust – keyboards, vocals (1999–2005)
  • Charlie Marinkovich – guitar, vocals (2002–2012)
  • Phil Parlapiano – keyboards, vocals (2015–2018, substitute – 2012)
  • Michael Green – percussion, vocals (2015–2019)
  • Ray Weston – drums, percussion (2015–2020; substitute – 2010, 2020)

Supporting musicians

Lineups

1966196619661966–1967
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Jack Pinney – drums, percussion
  • Danny Weis – guitar
  • Greg Willis – bass
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Jack Pinney – drums, percussion
  • Danny Weis – guitar
  • Greg Willis – bass
  • Darryl DeLoach – vocals
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Danny Weis – guitar
  • Darryl DeLoach – tambourine, vocals
  • Bruce Morse – drums, percussion
  • Jerry Penrod – bass, backing vocals
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Danny Weis – guitar
  • Darryl DeLoach – tambourine, vocals
  • Jerry Penrod – bass, backing vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
1967–1969 (Classic lineup)1969–19711971–19741974–1975
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Larry Reinhardt – guitar

Supporting musicians

  • Manny Bertematti – drums, percussion (substitute – 1971)

Disbanded

  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Philip Taylor Kramer – bass, keyboards, vocals
  • Howard Reitzes – keyboards, vocals
1975–19771977–197819781978
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Erik Brann – vocals, guitar
  • Philip Taylor Kramer – bass, keyboards, vocals
  • Bill DeMartines – keyboards, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Jimi Henderson – vocals
  • Kevin Karamitros – drums
  • Larry Kiernan – keyboards
  • David Love – guitar
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Kevin Karamitros – drums, percussion
  • John Leimseider – keyboards
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Keith Ellis – bass
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
19781978–197919791979
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Bobby Caldwell – drums, percussion
  • Bobby Hasbrook - guitars, vocals
  • John Leimseider – keyboards
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Bobby Caldwell – drums, percussion
  • Bobby Hasbrook – guitar, vocals
  • John Leimseider – keyboards
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
197919801981–19821982
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Bobby Caldwell – drums, percussion
  • Bobby Hasbrook – guitar, vocals
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Nathan Pino – keyboards
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Bobby Hasbrook – guitar, vocals
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Zam Johnson – drums, percussion
  • Tim Kislan – keyboards
  • Starz Vanderlocket – percussion, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • John Leimseider – keyboards
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar, vocals
  • Jimmy Rock – drums
  • Randy Skirvin – guitar, vocals
  • Luke – percussion, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Guy Babylon – keyboards
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Jan Uvena – drums, percussion
198219821982–19831983
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Guy Babylon – keyboards
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Guy Babylon – keyboards
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals (guest appearances)
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • John Shearer – drums
  • Luke – percussion, vocals

Supporting musicians

  • Ron Bushy – drums (guest – 1982)
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Guy Babylon – keyboards
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • John Shearer – drums
  • Luke – percussion, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Guy Babylon – keyboards
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • John Shearer – drums, percussion
  • Luke – percussion, vocals
19831983–198419841984–1985
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Guy Babylon – keyboards
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • John Shearer – drums, percussion
  • Jerry Sommers – drums, percussion
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Rick Rotante – drums, percussion
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Lenny Campanero – drums
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Lenny Campanero – drums, percussion
  • Steve Fister – guitar, backing vocals
19851985–198719871987
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Lenny Campanero – drums, percussion
  • Steve Fister – guitar, backing vocals
  • Kurtis Teel – bass

Disbanded

  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Ace Baker – keyboards
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Kelly Reubens – bass
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Kelly Reubens – bass
  • Tim Von Hoffman – keyboards
1987198719871987–1988
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Kelly Reubens – bass
  • Tim Von Hoffman – keyboards
  • Glen Rappold – guitar, bass, vocals

Supporting musicians

  • Donny Vosburgh – drums (guest – 1987)
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Jim Von Buelow – guitar
  • Sal Rodriguez – drums
  • Bob Birch – bass
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Bill DeMartines – keyboards, vocals
  • Doug Jackson – guitar
  • Lyle T. West – vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
19881988–198919901990–1992
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Sal Rodriguez – drums, percussion
  • Erik Brann – guitar, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Steve "Mick" Feldman – vocals
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Kenny Suarez – drums, percussion

Supporting musicians

  • Doug Freedman – drums, percussion (substitute – 1989)
  • JoAnne Kurman-Montana – backing vocals (live – 1989)
  • Cecelia Noel – backing vocals (live – 1989)
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Steve "Mick" Feldman – vocals
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Kenny Suarez – drums, percussion
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Kenny Suarez – drums, percussion
  • Robert Tepper – vocals
1993199319931993–1994
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Burt Diaz – keyboards
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Denny Artache – guitar, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
19941994–19951995–19971997–1999
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Doug Bossey – guitar
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Doug Bossey – guitar
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Eric Barnett – guitar, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
  • Eric Barnett – guitar, vocals
19991999–20022002–20052005–2012
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Eric Barnett – guitar, vocals
  • Damian Bujanda – keyboards, vocals
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Eric Barnett – guitar, vocals
  • Larry Rust – keyboards, vocals

Supporting musicians

  • Oly Larios – bass (substitute – 2001)
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Larry Rust – keyboards, vocals
  • Charlie Marinkovich – guitar, vocals

Supporting musicians

  • Derek Hilland – keyboards, backing vocals (substitute – 2003)
  • Lee Dorman – bass, vocals
  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Charlie Marinkovich – guitar, vocals
  • Martin Gerschwitz – keyboards, vocals

Supporting musicians

  • Ken Chalupnik – bass (substitute – 2006)
  • Dave Meros – bass (substitute – 2006)
  • Ray Weston – drums, percussion (substitute – 2010)
  • Phil Parlapiano – keyboards (substitute – 2012)
  • Larry Rust – Keyboards, Vocals (substitute Italy, Croatia, Austria – 2006)
2012–20152015–20182018–20192020-2021

Disbanded

  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion
  • Eric Barnett – guitar, vocals
  • Michael Green – percussion, vocals
  • Dave Meros – bass, vocals
  • Ray Weston – drums, percussion
  • Phil Parlapiano – keyboards, vocals
  • Eric Barnett – guitar, vocals
  • Michael Green – percussion, vocals
  • Dave Meros – bass, vocals
  • Ray Weston – drums, percussion
  • Martin Gerschwitz – keyboards, vocals

Supporting musicians

  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion (guest)
  • Eric Barnett – guitar, vocals
  • Bernie Pershey – drums, vocals
  • Dave Meros – bass, vocals
  • Martin Gerschwitz – keyboards, vocals

Supporting musicians

  • Ron Bushy – drums, percussion (guest)
  • Ray Weston – drums, percussion
  • Michael Franklin - Keyboards

Timeline

Iron Butterfly

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum US
[36]
Certification
1968 Heavy 78
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida 4
1969 Ball 3
1970 Metamorphosis 16
1975 Scorching Beauty 138
Sun and Steel

Live albums

YearAlbum US
[36]
1970 Live 20
2011 Fillmore East 1968
2014 Live at the Galaxy 1967
2014Live in Copenhagen 1971
2014Live in Sweden 1971

Compilation albums

Box sets

EPs

Singles

YearName US
[42]
Album
1967"Don't Look Down on Me"
b/w "Possession" (from Heavy)
Non-album track
1968"Unconscious Power"
b/w "Possession"
Heavy
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"
b/w "Iron Butterfly Theme" (from Heavy)
30In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
1969"Soul Experience"
b/w "In the Crowds"
75Ball
"In the Time of Our Lives"
b/w "It Must Be Love"
96
"I Can't Help But Deceive You Little Girl"
b/w "To Be Alone"
118Non-album tracks
1970"Possession"
b/w "Evil Temptation"
Heavy
"Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)"
b/w "Soldier in Our Town"
66Metamorphosis
1971"Silly Sally"
b/w "Stone Believer" (from Metamorphosis)
Non-album track
1975"Pearly Gates"
b/w "Searchin' Circles"
Scorching Beauty
"High on a Mountain Top"
b/w "Before You Go"
"Beyond the Milky Way"
b/w "Get It Out"
108Sun and Steel
"I'm Right, I'm Wrong"
b/w "Scion"

Videography

(Contained video performances of "Easy Rider" (3:21), "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" (17:03) and "Butterfly Bleu" (19:51))

(Contained video performances of the full concert at Itchycoo Park in 1999)

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Iron Butterfly at AllMusic
  2. A. Hamilton, Neil (1997). The ABC-Clio Companion to the 1960s Counterculture in America. ABC-CLIO. p.  3. ISBN   978-0874368581.
  3. Talevski, Nick (2006). Rock Obituaries – Knocking On Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 127. ISBN   978-1846090912.
  4. Riley, Glenn (August 2004). Progressive Rock Guitar: A Guitarist's Guide to the Styles and Techniques of Art Rock, Book and CD. Alfred Publishing Company, Incorporated. p. 5. ISBN   9780739035375. Progressive rock emerged in the late 1960s with acts such as King Crimson, Yes, Iron Butterfly and Jethro Tull
  5. "Iron Butterfly – 3 Awards For "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" – An RIAA White Matte – An In-House Platinum Award (the first) – A 4X Platinum RIAA R Hologram". Honor Music Awards. 15 May 2014. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was given the distinction of being the first album to be awarded platinum status.
  6. "Iron Butterfly - Similar Artists". AllMusic . Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  7. Joynson, Vernon (1995). Fuzz, Acid, & Flowers Archived August 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . London: Borderline Books.
  8. Joseph Murrells (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p.  242. ISBN   0-214-20512-6.
  9. "Gold & Platinum". riaa.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  10. ""Iron Butterfly"1968-2007 | The Pop History Dig" . Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  11. Mover, Johnathan. Iron Butterfly's Ron Bushy Making History Archived 2012-03-01 at the Wayback Machine drumheadmag.com. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
  12. Pete Fornatale (June 23, 2009). Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock, "Sweetwater" . Simon and Schuster. ISBN   9781416591191 . Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  13. "Iron Butterfly". Bruno Ceriotti, rock historian. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  14. "Rod Evans. Captain Beyond History". deep-purple.net. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  15. Brock., Helander (2001). The Rockin' 60s. London: Music Sales. ISBN   9780857128119. OCLC   993090335.
  16. Daniel., Bukszpan (2003). The encyclopedia of heavy metal. New York: Barnes & Noble Books. ISBN   0760742189. OCLC   51804645.
  17. "Official Website". Chasmo.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  18. "The Chronology: 2000 – 2004". Angelfire.com. October 24, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  19. "» Darryl DeLoach The Music's Over". Themusicsover.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  20. Perrone, Pierre. Erik Brann Obituary in The Independent UK Newspaper [ dead link ] Independent.co.uk. August 7, 2003. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  21. "Erik Braunn, 52, Iron Butterfly Guitarist". The New York Times. July 30, 2003. Erik Braunn, the Iron Butterfly guitarist who played one of rock's most recognizable riffs in the 17-minute anthem In-a-Gadda-da-Vida, died here on Friday. He was 52. The cause was cardiac arrest, his family said.
  22. "About". Martingerschwitz.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  23. "San Diego Music Awards". San Diego Music Awards. July 16, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  24. Varga, George.Rock 'n' Roll Mayor loves Iron Butterfly San Diego Union Tribune Weekly Insert, Night & Day. September 3, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  25. MeddleEarth. "Iron Butterfly 2012-05-13 Portland Oregon – sample: Easy Rider". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-11-18. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  26. 1 2 "Iron Butterfly". San Diego Reader .
  27. 1 2 Somaiya, Ravi (December 22, 2012). "Lee Dorman, Bass Guitarist for Iron Butterfly, Dies at 70". The New York Times.
  28. Coleman, Miriam (December 22, 2012). "Iron Butterfly Bassist Lee Dorman Dead at 70". Rolling Stone.
  29. "The Official Iron Butterfly Website". Ironbutterfly.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  30. "Iron Butterfly Reforming With Ron Bushy, Mike Pinera and Doug Ingle, Jr. ~ VVN Music". Vintagevinylnews.com. December 13, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  31. "Ironbutterfly.Com". Ironbutterfly.Com. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  32. "Iron Butterfly • Home". Iron Butterfly. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  33. "Iron Butterfly 2020". web-extract.constantcontact.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  34. Newman, Jason (August 29, 2021). "Iron Butterfly Drummer Ron Bushy Dead at 79". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  35. "Iron Butterfly Drummer Ron Bushy Dead at 79". TMZ.com . Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  36. 1 2 "Iron Butterfly Chart History". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  37. 1 2 "Gold & Platinum – RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  38. "Datenbank: BVMI".
  39. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  40. "InfoDisc : Les Certifications Officielles des Formats Longs ((33 T. / CD / Albums / Téléchargements depuis 1973". infodisc.fr. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  41. "Brit Certified – BPI". BPI. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  42. "Iron Butterfly Chart History". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved April 20, 2018.

General and cited references

Related Research Articles

<i>Ball</i> (Iron Butterfly album) Album by Iron Butterfly

Ball is the third studio album by the rock band Iron Butterfly, released on January 17, 1969. After the enormous success of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Iron Butterfly modified its acid-rock sound somewhat and experimented with more melodic compositions. The band's trademark heavy guitars, however, are still evident on such tracks as "In the Time of Our Lives" and "It Must Be Love". The album reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 charts, making Ball more immediately successful than In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Ball was certified Gold in March 1969. It also spawned two minor hit singles: "Soul Experience", an uncharacteristically uplifting song for the group, went to number 75 on the Billboard charts, and despite its nightmarish musical tones and morbid lyrics, "In the Time of Our Lives" managed to reach number 96. This is the second and final studio album to feature the famous lineup of Ingle, Bushy, Dorman and Brann.

<i>Heavy</i> (Iron Butterfly album) Album by Iron Butterfly

Heavy is the debut studio album by the rock band Iron Butterfly, released on January 22, 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Ingle</span> American musician (born 1945)

Douglas Lloyd Ingle is an American musician, best known as the founder and former organist, primary composer, and lead vocalist for the band Iron Butterfly. Ingle wrote the band's iconic song "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", which was first released in 1968. He is the last surviving member of the classic 1967–1969 lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Bushy</span> American drummer (1941–2021)

Ron Bushy was an American drummer best known as a member of the rock band Iron Butterfly and as the drum soloist on the band's iconic song "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", released in 1968 although performed in the band's earlier appearances. Bushy was the only member of the group to appear on all six of its studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Dorman</span> Musical artist

Douglas Lee Dorman was an American bass guitarist best known as a member of the psychedelic rock band Iron Butterfly. After replacing Jerry Penrod following Iron Butterfly’s debut album, Dorman had four stints with the group; 1967 to 1971, 1977 to 1978, 1978 to 1985, and from 1987 until his death in 2012. Shortly after his first departure from Iron Butterfly in 1971, Dorman co-founded the band Captain Beyond with ex-Deep Purple lead vocalist Rod Evans, Dorman’s Butterfly band mate Larry Reinhardt, and Bobby Caldwell. Dorman was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to San Diego in the 1960s. He began playing bass guitar in his teens. While recording In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Dorman assisted Erik Brann with the arrangement of Brann's song "Termination," and was given a co-writing credit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erik Brann</span> Musical artist

Erik Keith Brann, also known as Erik Braunn, was an American guitarist with the 1960s acid rock band Iron Butterfly. He was featured on the band's greatest hit, the 17-minute In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968), recorded when he was 17.

<i>Metamorphosis</i> (Iron Butterfly album) Iron Butterfly album

Metamorphosis is the fourth studio album by Iron Butterfly, released on August 13, 1970. It reached number 16 on the US charts. Mike Pinera and Larry "El Rhino" Reinhardt became members of Iron Butterfly in the early part of 1970.

<i>Scorching Beauty</i> Album by Iron Butterfly

Scorching Beauty is the fifth studio album released by the American hard rock group Iron Butterfly. Released four years after their original breakup, it was recorded by a reformed lineup with only one member remaining from their previous album, drummer Ron Bushy. In addition to Bushy, this lineup includes Erik Brann, Phil Kramer, and Howard Reitzes. The album cover was designed by Ernie Cefalu and illustrated by Drew Struzan. This album, along with Sun and Steel, failed commercially. Tracks from this album tend to be ignored on Iron Butterfly compilations/greatest hit collections.

<i>Star Collection</i> (Iron Butterfly album) 1973 compilation album by Iron Butterfly

Star Collection is a German compilation album released in 1973. It includes songs from Iron Butterfly's first and third album: Heavy and Ball.

<i>Evolution: The Best of Iron Butterfly</i> 1971 compilation album by Iron Butterfly

Evolution: The Best of Iron Butterfly is the fifth and first greatest hits album released in 1971 by American rock band Iron Butterfly. Songs come from four of their albums: Heavy, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Ball and Metamorphosis.

<i>Rare Flight</i> 1988 compilation album by Iron Butterfly

Rare Flight is a double compilation released in 1988 on Pair Records during the 40th anniversary of Atlantic Records. This release compiles Iron Butterfly's first and third albums: Heavy and Ball.

<i>In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida</i> (album) 1968 studio album by Iron Butterfly

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the second studio album by the American rock band Iron Butterfly, released in June 1968. It is most known for its title track, a 17-minute composition which occupies the whole of Side B.

<i>Light & Heavy: The Best of Iron Butterfly</i> 1993 compilation album by Iron Butterfly

Light & Heavy: The Best of Iron Butterfly is a greatest hits compilation released by Iron Butterfly in 1993. It contains most of their studio recordings from 1967 to 1970, including 21 of their 33 studio album tracks from that period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silly Sally</span> 1971 single by Iron Butterfly

"Silly Sally" is a song by Iron Butterfly that was released as a single in 1971 after the departure of Doug Ingle. Mike Pinera and M. Jones wrote "Silly Sally" in an attempt to keep the band together. Though the usual B-side is "Stone Believer", it has also been issued with "Butterfly Bleu" on the B-side. The single did not chart and in 1971 Iron Butterfly disbanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Reinhardt</span> Musical artist

Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt was an American rock guitarist who played with Iron Butterfly and Captain Beyond. At one time Reinhardt was known by the nicknames "El Rhino" and "Ryno".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida</span> 1968 single by Iron Butterfly

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is a song recorded by Iron Butterfly, written by band member Doug Ingle and released on their 1968 album of the same name.

<i>Live</i> (Iron Butterfly album) Live album by Iron Butterfly

Live is the first live album by Iron Butterfly, released on April 22, 1970. The last album to be recorded with the longstanding quartet of Brann, Bushy, Dorman, and Ingle, it is the only Iron Butterfly album which does not feature more than one lead vocalist. It was a commercial hit, reaching number 20 on the Billboard album chart.

<i>Fillmore East 1968</i> 2011 live album by Iron Butterfly

Fillmore East 1968 is a live double album by Iron Butterfly, released on 17 October 2011 by Rhino Entertainment. It was recorded on 26 and 27 April 1968 in Fillmore East in New York City. The albums featured songs from their first album Heavy and three songs from second album In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. In addition, an early version of "Her Favorite Style" was performed on the second night.

<i>Live at the Galaxy 1967</i> 2014 live album by Iron Butterfly

Live At The Galaxy 1967 is a 2014 unofficial live album by American psychedelic rock band Iron Butterfly, recorded on July 4, 1967 at the Galaxy Theater in Los Angeles, California and released as digital download, on digipak CD and deluxe colored 180 gram vinyl LP on the Purple Pyramids Records and Cleopatra Records label. It features the first, original line-up of the band, performing their early singles and songs from their debut album Heavy which was released a little more than six months later.