List of Steppenwolf members

Two lineups of Steppenwolf in 1971 (top) and 2006 (bottom).

Steppenwolf is a Canadian-American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California. The group evolved from The Sparrows in 1967 and originally included lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist John Kay, lead guitarist Michael Monarch, bassist Rushton Moreve, drummer Jerry Edmonton and keyboardist Goldy McJohn.[1] After the release of two studio albums, Moreve was fired in early 1969 after failing to turn up to a number of shows, 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 brought in to take 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", prompting Kay and Edmonton (who owned the rights to use the name) to take legal action.[13]

Kay reformed the band under the name "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.[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]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
John Kay.JPG
 John Kay
  • 1967–1972
  • 1974–1976
  • 1980–present
 all Steppenwolf releases
Michael Wilk 1982–present all Steppenwolf releases from Wolftracks (1982) onwards
Gary Link
  • 1982–1984
  • 2009–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 Paradox (1984)
Ron Hurst 1984–present
all Steppenwolf releases from Rock & Roll Rebels (1987) onwards
Brandon Veuleman 1996–present

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Steppenwolf (1971).png
 Jerry Edmonton
  • 1967–1972
  • 1974–1976
    (died 1993)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
 all Steppenwolf releases from Steppenwolf (1968) to Skullduggery (1976)
*GOLDY DSC 0144-1.jpg
 Goldy McJohn
  • 1967–1972
  • 1974–1975
    (died 2017)
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • 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
  • 1967–1969
  • 1978 (died 1981)
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Steppenwolf (1968)
  • The Second (1968)
Nick St. Nicholas.jpg
 Nick St. Nicholas 1969–1970 bass
Steppenwolf (1971).png
 Larry Byrom 1969–1971
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Steppenwolf (1971).png
 George Biondo
  • 1970–1972
  • 1974–1976
  • bass
  • backing 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 1980–1984
  • 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)
Brett Tuggle 1980–1982
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • Live in London (1981)
  • Wolftracks (1982) – backing vocals only
  • Paradox (1984) – backing vocals only
Welton Gite 1981–1982 bass Wolftracks (1982)
Rocket Ritchotte
  • 1985–1989
  • 1990–1993
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Les Dudek 1989 lead guitar none
Steve Fister
  • 1989–1990
  • 1993–1996

Timeline

References

  1. ↑ Tortorici, Frank (July 2, 1999). "Steppenwolf's Michael Monarch". MTV. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  2. 1 2 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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "Steppenwolf Family Tree". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  17. 1 2 "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.
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