Steppenwolf was a Canadian-American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1967. The group was founded by singer/rhythm guitarist John Kay, keyboardist Goldy McJohn and drummer Jerry Edmonton, all formerly of the Canadian band the Sparrows. Guitarist Michael Monarch and bassist Rushton Moreve were recruited via notices placed in Los Angeles-area record and musical instrument stores.
John Kay is an American rock singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf.
"Magic Carpet Ride" is a rock song written by John Kay and Rushton Moreve from the Canadian-American hard rock band Steppenwolf. The song was initially released in 1968 on the album The Second. It was the lead single from that album, peaking at number three in the US, and staying in the charts for 16 weeks, longer than any other Steppenwolf song.
Nick St. Nicholas is a German-born Canadian bandleader, bass guitarist, singer and songwriter; best known for his partnership in Steppenwolf.
Slow Flux is the seventh studio album by Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. The album was released in August 1974, by Epic Records. In the US it was released on the Mums Records label, a short-lived CBS Records subsidiary. It was the first of three albums the band created after reforming in 1974 before they disbanded again in 1976. "Straight Shootin' Woman" was the last Steppenwolf song to chart on the Billboard magazine Top 40. The song "Children of the Night" notably posits that the hippie movement at this time had died, and president Richard Nixon is referred to as "the fool who believed that wrong is right".
Monster is the fourth studio album by Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. The album was released in November 1969, by ABC Dunhill Records. It was their first LP with new lead guitarist Larry Byrom instead of Michael Monarch. The album was Steppenwolf's most political album, making references to important issues at the time, such as the Vietnam War.
Hour of the Wolf is the eighth studio album by Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. The album was released in September 1975, by Epic Records. Andy Chapin replaced long time keyboardist Goldy McJohn on this album.
Skullduggery is the ninth studio album by Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. The album was released in May 1976, by Epic Records. It was the third of four released by Epic Records, and the last to feature keyboardist Wayne Cook, who left to join Player in 1977. It is the also the last album to be released simply under the Steppenwolf name before the group rebranded themselves as John Kay & Steppenwolf.
Rise & Shine is the thirteenth and final studio album by John Kay and Steppenwolf, released in 1990 under the label IRS Records. It features "The Wall", John Kay's song celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall, and "Rock 'N Roll War", Kay's homage to veterans of the Vietnam War.
Paradox is the eleventh studio album by the band Steppenwolf now known as John Kay and Steppenwolf. It was released in 1984 on the Black Leather Music label. It was originally released only in Canada and Australia. Bassist Gary Link replaced Welton Gite on this album. It also marked a return to recording at American Recording Studios, last used to record For Ladies Only in 1971.
Rock & Roll Rebels is the twelfth album by John Kay and Steppenwolf. It was released in 1987, as Qwil Catalog # NU 1560. The LP was distributed by Dominion Entertainment, Inc., and the CD and cassette were distributed by K-tel International (USA), Inc.
The Sparrows was a Canadian blues rock band of the 1960s. Notable for being the first group to bring musician John Kay into the mainstream, the Sparrows later morphed into the popular heavy rock group Steppenwolf.
George Michael Biondo is a musician who served as bass guitarist of the Canadian rock band Steppenwolf from April 1970 to October 1976. Born in New York, Biondo has been based in Southern California throughout a career as a session musician and songwriter.
Kent Henry Plischke, known as Kent Henry, was an American guitarist and songwriter best known for his contributions to Steppenwolf and Blues Image.
Wolftracks is an album by John Kay and Steppenwolf, released in 1982 by Wolf Records, with distribution by Nautilus Records in the U.S. and Attic Records in Canada. It was the first new studio album in six years for John Kay, featuring a new line-up of Steppenwolf and Kay renaming the group accordingly.
Pentti "Whitey" Glan was a Finnish-Canadian rock drummer, best known for his work with Alice Cooper and Lou Reed.
John Raymond Goadsby, known as Goldy McJohn, was a Canadian keyboard player best known as the original keyboardist for rock group Steppenwolf. Originally a classically trained pianist, he was a pioneer in the early use of the electronic organ in heavy metal.
Brett Tuggle was an American musician who is best known for his keyboard playing with Fleetwood Mac and the David Lee Roth band.
Ron Hurst is an American musician. Since 1984 he has been the drummer for American rock band Steppenwolf. He resides in Hillsboro, Oregon, in the Portland area where he teaches drums at a studio. Hurst moved from Nashville, Tennessee, to the Hillsboro area in 2003. He grew up in Holyoke, Massachusetts before moving to New York City and Nashville. His daughter is in a band called In Retrograde. In addition to drums, he has also done vocal work with the band.
