Nov 27th in Pop History

On this day, November 27th, in…

• 1968 (53 years ago today)

Steppenwolf’s self-titled debut album is certified gold.

Steppenwolf was 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 of the Canadian band The Sparrows. Guitarist Michael Monarch and bass guitarist Ruston Moreve were recruited via notices placed in L.A.-area record and musical instrument stores.

Steppenwolf sold over 25 million records worldwide. They released seven Gold albums and one Platinum album, and had 13 Billboard Hot 100 singles, of which seven were Top 40 hits, 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 been the lead singer since 1967. The band was called John Kay & Steppenwolf from 1980 to 2018. Their songs have been licensed for use in thirty-seven motion pictures and thirty-six television programs, so far to date. For decades the group continued on touring, and continued to focus on the future. However, on November 22nd, 2019, Kay announced that the band's Oct. 14th, 2018 show was their last.

If you want to know what pure rock music was all about in the 1960s, this is it! It’s fun “classic rock” to listen to. Only one requirement - you must turn up the volume. That will unleash the full time travel sequence to transport you immediately to the Summer of 1968! Be careful, and have fun! 🙂🚀

Here are some of their songs to check out...

Steppenwolf on Spotify:

Born to Be Wild

Magic Carpet Ride

Now a few great videos:

Here is Steppenwolf doing Born to Be Wild (a live performance from 1969):

Here is Steppenwolf doing Magic Carpet Ride (another live performance from 1969):

Here is the opening scene of the movie Easy Rider, featuring in it’s soundtrack Steppenwolf doing Born to Be Wild:

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Also, on this day, November 27th, in…

• 1967 - The Beatles released the album Magical Mystery Tour. They also released the single Hello Goodbye in the United States. On the flip side of that 45, another song which became a giant hit - I Am The Walrus