Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild (1969)

Steppenwolf is a Canadian-American rock band, prominent from 1968 to 1972. The group was formed in late 1967 in Los Angeles by lead singer John Kay, keyboardist Goldy McJohn, and drummer Jerry Edmonton (all formerly in Jack London & the Sparrows from Oshawa, Ontario).[6] Guitarist Michael Monarch and bass guitarist Rushton Moreve were recruited by notices placed in Los Angeles-area record and musical instrument stores.

Steppenwolf sold over 25 million records worldwide,[7] released eight gold albums and 12 Billboard Hot 100 singles, of which six were top 40 hits,[8] including three top 10 successes: "Born to Be Wild", "Magic Carpet Ride", and "Rock Me". Steppenwolf enjoyed worldwide success from 1968 to 1972, but clashing personalities led to the end of the core lineup. Today, John Kay is the only original member, having served as the lead singer since 1967.

[Sandsculptor]

In 1969, I was involved with the Vietnam War, in an Army helicopter unit. When our AFVN (Armed Forces Viet Nam) radio would play this song, our pilots would plug us in, so that we (the air crew) could hear the song. And we'd sing this song while flying over the Central Highlands along the border of Cambodia at tree top level (so the bad guys couldn't shoot us). It really was the wildest time of my life. Now, I'm 73 and I still can't believe I survived that war. We sang these songs loud and strong with our hearts pounding... because we never knew if we'd have a tomorrow. Thank you, Steppenwolf for helping us make our way home...

[steveweiss]

One of the most badass rock songs ever recorded. It never sounds old and dated.

[jmrebel]

What an absolute monster of a song. I don’t think people can comprehend how giant this song was. Legendary.

[gaginho]

The epitome of rock music. It has not lost an atom of its quality. That today's generations have something to learn from. I am proud of the fact that I was and thank God still am a part of those epic times.

[CDNGENJuegos]

I was just a young girl in the 60's living in L.A. elementary school, hearing this music makes me return to that time. Not only this song, many more songs that are part of our lives. God bless all those young boys who were sent overseas and didn't make it back.

[stephanietribuna]

In the good old days, it was special when your date would dedicate a song to you on the radio. I was in 9th grade in 1969, and after a date, my boyfriend dedicated this song on the local radio station to me! It was cool back then when that happened!

[danharkins]

I’m 70 and still rocking and rolling 😊

[dfwdodge]

What a ride that year was. I still have my 69 Camaro.

[Bell]

I love the expression on John's face when he gives us the immortal "Heavy metal thunder!" It's like he knew right then that this would be a historic moment in music history.

[vglife]

One of the greatest songs of all time.

[TS-whey]

I'm 67 years young and this is the very first song I bought on a 45 single. Without any doubt this song ushered in the heavy metal rock era. Such an iconic song and such a legendary band. Thanks John Kay and Steppenwolf for this great song and all the memories it brings back.

[didiberger]

Dieser Song hat für mich eine ganz besondere Bedeutung. Was für eine Zeit. Mir läuft heute noch ein Schauer über den Rücken. Ich hätte die Zeit gerne zurück...

[barrysmith]

This album was released smack dab in the middle of my second combat tour in Vietnam. We rolled another one of those tight little doobies and headed out on another mission. Week week month after month. There were no longer days or nights. Only dark and light. These songs take me back. My Vietnam ghost still lives with me.

[nivenrowe]

Heavy metal it is. I'm 63 and still rocking.

[Viewlaser]

Still resonating in my head 50 years later!

[paulgonzales]

Yeah, Born to be wild. 1968-69. Just turned 22. Coming home from all the mess of Vietnam, friends dying over there, suffering PTSD, race riots, college campus take overs, king assassinated, Robert Kennedy assassinated, protest marches and on and on. Now I'm 77. I'm still kinda wild.

[stephenroberts]

Saw Steppenwolf at Glastonbury in ‘70 or ‘71 ( not sure, memories gone ) now at nearly 74 it’s still brilliant !!!

[grannyjudi]

brings back memories of me a young college kid....we drove through the orange groves with this song blasting...one of best days of my 73 years...still rocking here how about you?

[LEWFROST]

One of the great, underrated keyboardists of the psychedelic age---GOLDY MCJOHN. Along with John's voice, he gave Steppenwolf their signature sound. Aside from his obvious contributions, I will always remember him for the mind-blowing 21-minute live version of "The Pusher, " as well as his creativity on the B-side Halloween song entitled "For Madmen Only." Miss you, Mr. McJ! # cheers 😁😝😀

[dianasnow]

Born to be wild I was all of 16 years old when this song came out. But every time I hear it I feel 16 all-over again love this time in my life I felt so wild and free peace love and happiness no drugs.