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Two lineups of Steppenwolf performing live in 1970 (top) and 2006 (bottom).

Steppenwolf was a Canadian-American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1967, the group originally consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist John Kay, lead guitarist Michael Monarch, bassist Nick St. Nicholas, drummer Jerry Edmonton and keyboardist Goldy McJohn. The band's final lineup featured Kay, keyboardist Michael Wilk (since 1982, and bassist between 1984 and 2009), bassist Gary Link (from 1982 to 1984, and since 2009), drummer Ron Hurst (since 1984) and lead guitarist Danny Johnson (since 1996).

History

1967–1976

Steppenwolf evolved from the Sparrows in late 1967 and originally included John Kay, Michael Monarch, Rushton Moreve, Jerry Edmonton and Goldy McJohn. [1] After the release of two studio albums, Moreve was fired in early 1969 for failure to appear at several performances, with former Sparrows bassist Nick St. Nicholas taking his place. [2] Monarch left the group in August, [3] with Larry Byrom taking his place in time for the recording of Monster. [4] St. Nicholas ceased working with Steppenwolf in April 1970, and was formally excluded from the band the following year. [5] He was replaced by George Biondo. [6] Byrom was replaced by Kent Henry for the 1971 release For Ladies Only. [7] In February 1972, Steppenwolf disbanded; Kay, Henry and Biondo continued working together, while Edmonton and McJohn formed a group called Manbeast. [8]

In early 1974 Steppenwolf reformed, with guitarist Bobby Cochran joining returning members Kay, Biondo, Edmonton and McJohn. [9] Kay fired McJohn the following February, [10] with Andy Chapin taking his place. [11] The new keyboardist declined to tour with the group, however, and was replaced by Wayne Cook. [12] The band released three studio albums during its second tenure, before disbanding in late 1976. [2] Following the group's second breakup, former members St. Nicholas and McJohn formed a band dubbed "New Steppenwolf", it was licensed and legit until 1980 at which time the licensing agreement wasn't complied with prompting Kay and Edmonton (who owned the rights to use the name) to take legal action. [13]

1980–2018

Kay reformed the band as "John Kay and Steppenwolf" in January 1980, [14] rebuilding the group with brothers Michael (lead guitar) and Steve Palmer (drums), bassist Kurtis Teel and keyboardist Danny Ironstone (Teel and Ironstone were soon replaced by Chad Peery and Brett Tuggle, respectively). [15] Peery and Tuggle performed on the 1981 live album Live in London, but were replaced for the recording of the following year's studio return Wolftracks by Welton Gite and Michael Wilk, respectively. [16] Gary Link took over on bass for 1984's Paradox but had left alongside the Palmer brothers by the end of the year, with Rocket Ritchotte (lead guitar) and Ron Hurst (drums) joining shortly after, and keyboardist Michael Wilk took the bass. [14] [17] The band released Rock & Roll Rebels in 1987, which was the group's first to feature the four-piece lineup. [16]

Ritchotte left Steppenwolf in 1989 to tour with the David Lee Roth Band, [18] returning the following year and remaining until late 1993. [17] During his time away from the band, he was replaced briefly by Les Dudek, [19] and later by Steve Fister. [20] Following his departure, Fister returned to Steppenwolf for another three-year run. [21] In 1996, Danny Johnson joined Steppenwolf in place of the departed Fister. [22] Bassist Gary Link rejoined the band in 2009. [23] [24] In October 2018, at the end of the band's 50th anniversary tour, Kay announced that the group had officially retired. [25]

Members

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
John Kay.JPG
 John Kay
  • 1967–1972
  • 1974–1976
  • 1980–2018
  • lead vocals
  • rhythm and slide guitars
  • harmonica
  • keyboards (2007–2011)
  • bass (2007–2009)
 all Steppenwolf releases
Steppenwolf (1971).png
 Jerry Edmonton
  • 1967–1972
  • 1974–1976 (died 1993)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
 all Steppenwolf releases from Steppenwolf (1968) to Skullduggery (1976)
Goldy_McJohn_(1971).png
 Goldy McJohn
  • 1967–1972
  • 1974–1975 (died 2017)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
 all Steppenwolf releases from Steppenwolf (1968) to Slow Flux (1974)
Michael Monarch.jpg
 Michael Monarch 1967–1969
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Rushton Moreve
  • 1967–1968
  • 1978 (died 1981)
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Steppenwolf (1968)
  • The Second (1968)
Nick St. Nicholas.jpg
 Nick St. Nicholas 1968–1970
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
Steppenwolf (1971).png
 Larry Byrom 1969–1971
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Steppenwolf (1971).png
 George Biondo
  • 1970–1972
  • 1974–1976
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • all Steppenwolf releases from Steppenwolf 7 (1970) to Skullduggery (1976)
  • Wolftracks (1982) – guest backing vocals
Kent henry plischke.jpg
 Kent Henry 1971–1972 (died 2009) lead guitar For Ladies Only (1971)
Bobby Cochran.jpg
 Bobby Cochran 1974–1976
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Andy Chapin 1975 (died 1985) keyboards Hour of the Wolf (1975)
Wayne Cook 1975–1976 Skullduggery (1976)
Michael Palmer 1980–1985
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Live in London (1981)
  • Wolftracks (1982)
  • Paradox (1984)
Steve Palmer
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
Danny Ironstone 1980
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
 none
Kurtis Teel
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Chad Peery 1980–1981 bass Live in London (1981)
LindsBuckPort071018-67 (30353983417).jpg
 Brett Tuggle 1980–1982 (died 2022)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • Live in London (1981)
  • Wolftracks (1982) – backing vocals only
  • Paradox (1984) – backing vocals only
Welton Gite 1981–1982 bass Wolftracks (1982)
Michael Wilk
  • 1982–2007
  • 2011–2018
  • keyboards
  • programming
  • piano
  • backing vocals
  • bass (1984–2007)
 all Steppenwolf releases from Wolftracks (1982) onwards
Gary Link
  • 1982–1984
  • 2009–2018
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 Paradox (1984)
Steppenwolf @ The Coconut Creek Casino - 2018 (27204632727).jpg
 Ron Hurst 1984–2018
  • drums
  • backing vocals
 all Steppenwolf releases from Rock & Roll Rebels (1987) onwards
Rocket Ritchotte
  • 1985–1989
  • 1990–1993
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Les Dudek 1989 none
Steve Fister
  • 1989–1990
  • 1993–1996
 lead guitar
Steppenwolf_@_The_Coconut_Creek_Casino_-_2018_(27204633177).jpg
 Danny Johnson 1996–2018
  • lead guitar
  • mandolin
  • backing vocals

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
Late 1967 – early 1969
Early – August 1969
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Michael Monarch – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Nick St. Nicholas – bass, backing and occasional lead vocals
  • Jerry Edmonton – drums, percussion, backing vocals occasional lead vocals
  • Goldy McJohn – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
September 1969 – April 1970
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Larry Byrom – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Nick St. Nicholas – bass, backing and lead vocals
  • Jerry Edmonton – drums, percussion, backing and occasional lead vocals
  • Goldy McJohn – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
May 1970 – early 1971
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Larry Byrom – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • George Biondo – bass, backing and occasional lead vocals
  • Jerry Edmonton – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Goldy McJohn – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Early 1971 – February 1972
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Kent Henry – lead guitar
  • George Biondo – bass, occasional lead vocals
  • Jerry Edmonton – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Goldy McJohn – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Band inactive February 1972 – early 1974
Early 1974 – February 1975
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • George Biondo – bass, backing vocals
  • Jerry Edmonton – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Goldy McJohn – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
March – August 1975
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • George Biondo – bass, backing vocals
  • Jerry Edmonton – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Andy Chapin – keyboards
August 1975 – late 1976
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Bobby Cochran – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • George Biondo – bass, backing vocals
  • Jerry Edmonton – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Wayne Cook – keyboards
Band inactive late 1976 – early 1980
Early 1980
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Kurtis Teel – bass, backing vocals
  • Steve Palmer – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Danny Ironstone – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
 none
1980–1981
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Chad Peery – bass, backing vocals
  • Steve Palmer – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Brett Tuggle – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
1981–1982
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Welton Gite – bass
  • Steve Palmer – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Michael Wilk – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
1982–1984
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Michael Palmer – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gary Link – bass, backing vocals
  • Steve Palmer – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Michael Wilk – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
1985–1989
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Rocket Ritchotte – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Wilk – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals
  • Ron Hurst – drums, percussion, backing vocals
1989
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Les Dudek – lead guitar
  • Michael Wilk – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals
  • Ron Hurst – drums, percussion, backing vocals
 none
1989–1990
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Steve Fister – lead guitar
  • Michael Wilk – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals
  • Ron Hurst – drums, percussion, backing vocals
1990–1993
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Rocket Ritchotte – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Wilk – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals
  • Ron Hurst – drums, percussion, backing vocals
1993–1996
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Steve Fister – lead guitar
  • Michael Wilk – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals
  • Ron Hurst – drums, percussion, backing vocals
 none
1996–2009
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Danny Johnson – lead guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
  • Michael Wilk – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals
  • Ron Hurst – drums, percussion, backing vocals
2009 – October 2018
  • John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Danny Johnson – lead guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
  • Gary Link – bass, backing vocals
  • Ron Hurst – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Michael Wilk – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
 none

References

  1. ^ Tortorici, Frank (July 2, 1999). "Steppenwolf's Michael Monarch". MTV. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Sleazegrinder (August 30, 2017). "Born To Be Wild: The Steppenwolf Story". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  3. ^ "The Songer Not the Sing" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 31, no. 5. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. August 30, 1969. p. 27. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  4. ^ Lindblad, Peter (April 13, 2010). "Steppenwolf: Band on the run". Goldmine. F+W. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  5. ^ "Nicholas Kassbaum, Aka Nick St. Nicholas, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Steppenwolf Productions, Inc.; Steppenwolf, Inc.; Joachim Fritz Kreudeldat, Aka John Kay, Defendants-appellees, 236 F.3d 487 (9th Cir. 2000)". Justia. September 11, 2000. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  6. ^ "Golden Paws" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 31, no. 43. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. May 30, 1970. p. 12. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  7. ^ "Kent Henry: Guitarist with Steppenwolf and Blues Image". The Independent. March 30, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  8. ^ "Steppenwolf Split Is Fact; Form Two Groups" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 84, no. 9. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications. February 26, 1972. p. 15. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  9. ^ Freedland, Nat (April 6, 1974). "Steppenwolf Is Reunited!" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 86, no. 14. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications. p. 20. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  10. ^ Wink, Roger (August 4, 2017). "R.I.P. Goldy McJohn of Steppenwolf 1945-2017". Noise11. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  11. ^ "Steppenwolf Makes an Epic Move" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 37, no. 13. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. August 16, 1975. p. 9. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  12. ^ "Steppenwolf Biography". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  13. ^ "Steppenwolf Files Lawsuit" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 92, no. 27. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications. July 5, 1980. p. 12. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  14. ^ a b "John Kay - Questions & Answers". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  15. ^ Ghianni, Tim (March 20, 2005). "Interview: Life's Been a Wild Ride". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Steppenwolf Family Tree". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  17. ^ a b "Q&A w/ Guitarists: Rocket Ritchotte". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  18. ^ "Rocket Ritchotte (Black Rose/Steppenwolf) 2005". Classic Rock Revival. April 30, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  19. ^ "Reflections on the Macon Scene & More, An Interview with Les Dudek". The Allman Brothers Band. June 19, 2004. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  20. ^ "Steppenwolf". The Electric Beard. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  21. ^ "What's Going On In Bonita: Best Bets" (Scan). The News-Press. Fort Myers, Florida: Gannett Company. October 13, 1994. p. 49. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  22. ^ "Steppenwolf to Celebrate Their 50th Anniversary This Saturday at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium". Vintage Vinyl News. July 31, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  23. ^ "Interview with Gary Link". classicbands.com. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  24. ^ "Alpha Wolf Archives - Dec 19, 2009". Steppenwolf. December 19, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  25. ^ Kay, John (October 24, 2018). "It's been a hell of a ride". Steppenwolf. Archived from the original on 2020-08-14. Retrieved December 27, 2019.

External links

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