Steppenwolf (Steppenwolf album)

Steppenwolf
File:SteppenwolfAlbum.jpg
Studio album by Steppenwolf
Released	January 29, 1968
Recorded	Fall 1967 at American Recording Co. Studio, Studio City, California
Genre	Hard rock, psychedelic rock, blues rock
Length	46:10
Label	ABC Dunhill
Producer	Gabriel Mekler
Steppenwolf chronology
Steppenwolf (1968) The Second (1968)The Second1968
Singles from Steppenwolf
"A Girl I Knew"/"The Ostrich" Released: 1967 "Born to Be Wild"/"Everybody's Next One" Released: June 1968 "The Pusher"/"Your Wall's Too High" Released: 1968 "Sookie Sookie"/"Take What You Need" Released: 1968

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Rolling Stone	Positive

Steppenwolf is the first studio album by American rock band Steppenwolf, released in January 1968 on ABC Dunhill Records.

The album was a successful debut for the band, featuring the songs "Born to Be Wild", as well as "The Pusher", both of which were used in the 1969 film Easy Rider. "Berry Rides Again" is a tribute to guitarist Chuck Berry. The spelling of track #4 on the vinyl is "Hootchie Kootchie Man". The album credits say it was recorded at American Recording Company in Studio City, California; however, the actual name of the studio was American Recorders.

Early editions of the "Silver Background" version credit "Mars Bondfire" with writing "Born to be Wild" on both the LP label and the back of the LP cover.

The background color of the original ABC LP cover was silver or "foil", in contrast to later (MCA Records) LP issues and the modern CD sleeve in which it is replaced by white. It is the only album by the band to have been released in both stereo and mono configurations. Although the latter is simply a 'fold down' of the stereo mix it is sought after as a collector's item.

Track listing

Side one

1. "Sookie Sookie" (Don Covay, Steve Cropper) –3:12
2. "Everybody's Next One" (Kay, Gabriel Mekler) –2:53
3. "Berry Rides Again" (Kay) –2:45
4. "Hoochie Coochie Man" (Willie Dixon) –5:07
5. "Born to Be Wild" (Mars Bonfire) –3:28
6. "Your Wall's Too High" (Kay) –5:40

Side two

1. "Desperation" (Kay) –5:45
2. "The Pusher" (Hoyt Axton) –5:43
3. "A Girl I Knew" (Morgan Cavett, Kay) –2:39
4. "Take What You Need" (Kay, Gabriel Mekler) –3:28
5. "The Ostrich" (Kay) –5:43

Personnel

• John Kay: guitars, harmonica, lead vocals.
• Rushton Moreve: bass guitar, backing vocals.
• Michael Monarch: guitars, backing vocals.
• Goldy McJohn: organ, piano, electric piano.
• Jerry Edmonton: drums, percussion, backing vocals.

Production

• Gabriel Mekler: Producer.
• Gary Burden: Cover design.
• Tom Gundelfinger: Photography.
• Bill Cooper: Engineer
• Henry Diltz: Photography.
• Richard Podolor: Engineer.

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1968	Pop Albums	6

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1968	"Born to Be Wild"	Pop Singles	2