List of Steppenwolf members

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

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
John Kay	1967–1972 1974–1976 1980–2018	lead vocals rhythm and slide guitars harmonica keyboards (2007–2011) bass (2007–2009)	all Steppenwolf releases
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	1967–1972 1974–1975 (died 2017)	keyboards backing vocals	all Steppenwolf releases from Steppenwolf (1968) to Slow Flux (1974)
Michael Monarch	1967–1969	lead guitar backing vocals	Steppenwolf (1968) The Second (1968) At Your Birthday Party (1969)
Rushton Moreve	1967–1968 1978 (died 1981)	bass backing vocals	Steppenwolf (1968) The Second (1968)
Nick St. Nicholas	1968–1970	bass backing and occasional lead vocals	At Your Birthday Party (1969) Early Steppenwolf (1969) Monster (1969) Live (1970)
Larry Byrom	1969–1971	lead guitar backing vocals	Monster (1969) Live (1970) Steppenwolf 7 (1970)
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	1971–1972 (died 2009)	lead guitar	For Ladies Only (1971)
Bobby Cochran	1974–1976	lead guitar backing vocals	Slow Flux (1974) Hour of the Wolf (1975) Skullduggery (1976)
Andy Chapin	1975 (died 1985)	keyboards	Hour of the Wolf (1975)
Wayne Cook	1975–1976	keyboards	Skullduggery (1976)
Michael Palmer	1980–1985	lead guitar backing vocals	Live in London (1981) Wolftracks (1982) Paradox (1984)
Steve Palmer	1980–1985	drums percussion backing vocals
Danny Ironstone	1980	keyboards backing vocals	none
Kurtis Teel	1980	bass backing vocals	none
Chad Peery	1980–1981	bass	Live in London (1981)
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)
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	Rock & Roll Rebels (1987) Rise & Shine (1990) Live at 25 (1995) Feed the Fire (1996)
Les Dudek	1989	lead guitar backing vocals	none
Steve Fister	1989–1990 1993–1996	lead guitar	none
Danny Johnson	1996–2018	lead guitar mandolin backing vocals	Feed the Fire (1996) Live in Louisville (2000)

Timeline

Lineups

Period	Members	Releases
Late 1967 – early 1969	John Kay – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica Michael Monarch – lead guitar, backing vocals Rushton Moreve – bass, backing vocals Jerry Edmonton – drums, percussion, backing and occasional lead vocals Goldy McJohn – keyboards, piano, backing vocals	Early Steppenwolf (1969) Steppenwolf (1968) The Second (1968)
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	At Your Birthday Party (1969)
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	Monster (1969) Steppenwolf Live (1970)
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	Steppenwolf 7 (1970)
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	For Ladies Only (1971)
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	Slow Flux (1974)
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	Hour of the Wolf (1975)
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	Skullduggery (1976)
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	Live in London (1981)
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	Wolftracks (1982)
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	Paradox (1984)
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	Rock & Roll Rebels (1987) Rise & Shine (1990)
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	none
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	Live at 25 (1995)
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	Feed the Fire (1996) Live in Louisville (2004)
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

^ Tortorici, Frank (July 2, 1999). "Steppenwolf's Michael Monarch". MTV. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ ^a ^b Sleazegrinder (August 30, 2017). "Born To Be Wild: The Steppenwolf Story". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "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.
^ Lindblad, Peter (April 13, 2010). "Steppenwolf: Band on the run". Goldmine. F+W. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "Kent Henry: Guitarist with Steppenwolf and Blues Image". The Independent. March 30, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "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.
^ 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.
^ Wink, Roger (August 4, 2017). "R.I.P. Goldy McJohn of Steppenwolf 1945-2017". Noise11. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "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.
^ "Steppenwolf Biography". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "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.
^ ^a ^b "John Kay - Questions & Answers". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ Ghianni, Tim (March 20, 2005). "Interview: Life's Been a Wild Ride". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Steppenwolf Family Tree". Steppenwolf. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Q&A w/ Guitarists: Rocket Ritchotte". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "Rocket Ritchotte (Black Rose/Steppenwolf) 2005". Classic Rock Revival. April 30, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "Reflections on the Macon Scene & More, An Interview with Les Dudek". The Allman Brothers Band. June 19, 2004. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "Steppenwolf". The Electric Beard. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "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.
^ "Steppenwolf to Celebrate Their 50th Anniversary This Saturday at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium". Vintage Vinyl News. July 31, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "Interview with Gary Link". classicbands.com. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ "Alpha Wolf Archives - Dec 19, 2009". Steppenwolf. December 19, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ 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

Steppenwolf official website

[1] Tortorici, Frank (July 2, 1999). "Steppenwolf's Michael Monarch". MTV. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.

[classicrock-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.

[rollingstone-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.

[questions-14] "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.

[familytree-16] "Steppenwolf Family Tree". Steppenwolf. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2017.

[rocket-17] "Q&A w/ Guitarists: Rocket Ritchotte". Steppenwolf. Retrieved November 23, 2017.

[revival-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.

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v t e Steppenwolf
John Kay Michael Wilk Gary Link Ron Hurst Danny Johnson Jerry Edmonton Goldy McJohn Michael Monarch Rushton Moreve Nick St. Nicholas George Biondo Kent Henry Bobby Cochran Andy Chapin Wayne Cook Brett Tuggle Welton Gite Les Dudek
Studio albums	Steppenwolf The Second At Your Birthday Party Monster Steppenwolf 7 For Ladies Only Slow Flux Hour of the Wolf Skullduggery Wolftracks Paradox Rock & Roll Rebels Rise & Shine
Live albums	Early Steppenwolf Steppenwolf Live Live at 25 Live in Louisville
Compilations	Gold: Their Great Hits 16 Greatest Hits The ABC Collection Born to Be Wild – A Retrospective The Millennium Collection The Collection
Singles	"Born to Be Wild" "Magic Carpet Ride" "The Pusher" "Rock Me" "Ride with Me"
Related articles	Discography Members Gabriel Mekler Mars Bonfire