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Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf

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description Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf Overview

Steppenwolf is the 1968 debut studio album by the Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf, released on Dunhill Records. The album is historically significant for containing the track "Born to Be Wild," which became a top-ten hit and is widely credited with popularizing the phrase "heavy metal" in rock music lyrics. It also features a notable cover of Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher." The record blends psychedelic rock, blues-rock, and hard distortion, serving as an essential listen for scholars of early hard rock and counterculture-era music.

help Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf FAQ

What famous phrase was popularized by Steppenwolf's debut album?

The 1968 album contains the iconic track "Born to Be Wild," which is widely credited with popularizing the phrase "heavy metal" in music. The song's lyric "heavy metal thunder" introduced the term to a massive global audience.

Was "Born to Be Wild" a number one hit for Steppenwolf?

While it did not reach number one, "Born to Be Wild" became a massive top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. Its later inclusion in the 1969 counterculture film Easy Rider cemented its legendary status.

Who was the lead singer of Steppenwolf on their debut album?

John Kay handled the lead vocals and rhythm guitar for the band. His gravelly, distinctive voice became a defining characteristic of Steppenwolf's heavy, blues-based hard rock sound.

What record label released Steppenwolf's debut album?

The album was released in 1968 on Dunhill Records. The label was a major Los Angeles-based record company that also housed prominent acts like The Mamas & the Papas.

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