Born To Be Wild

The Zoo Crew is cranking up the volume at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the iconic Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf from their 1968 self-titled debut album, and the Zoo Freaks are loving every second of it. This song, written by Mars Bonfire (real name Dennis Edmonton), was originally penned as a ballad but transformed into a high-energy rock anthem by Steppenwolf. Bonfire got the idea while driving his Ford Falcon in Los Angeles, inspired by a Hollywood Boulevard billboard that read “Born to Ride” with a motorcycle bursting from a volcano. He told Guitar Player in 2024 that he wrote it on an unplugged Fender Telecaster, never imagining the “dream-like” impact it would have when Steppenwolf’s Michael Monarch added his distorted guitar riffs and John Kay delivered his gritty vocals. The song’s lyric “heavy metal thunder” is often credited as the first use of “heavy metal” in rock music, though it referred to motorcycle roar rather than a genre.

Another wild tidbit comes from its connection to the 1969 film Easy Rider. Bonfire shared in a 2018 interview with Alan Cross that he was stunned hearing it in the movie’s opening sequence, recalling a guy singing it in a theater bathroom afterward, signaling its cultural grip. Initially a placeholder (director Peter Fonda wanted Crosby, Stills & Nash), the song’s raw energy fit the film’s rebellious vibe perfectly, cementing its status as a counterculture anthem. Steppenwolf’s John Kay told Rolling Stone that “every generation thinks they’re born to be wild,” highlighting its timeless appeal. The song hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, blocked from No. 1 by The Rascals’ People Got to Be Free, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 for its influence.

Steppenwolf’s journey began with frontman John Kay, born Joachim Fritz Krauledat in 1944 in what became East Germany. Escaping with his mother to Canada in 1958, Kay learned English partly through American rock and blues records, as he shared in a 2024 Mix interview. He joined The Sparrows in Toronto in the mid-1960s, a blues-rock band that included drummer Jerry Edmonton and keyboardist Goldy McJohn. After moving to Los Angeles, the band evolved into Steppenwolf, named after Hermann Hesse’s novel. Signed to Dunhill Records, they recorded their debut album in 1968 at American Recording Company, where Kay insisted on capturing their loud, raw sound. The band, including guitarist Michael Monarch and bassist Rushton Moreve, became a voice for the late-1960s counterculture, with Born to Be Wild and The Pusher defining their gritty edge.

You can keep up with Steppenwolf’s legacy on their official website, where you’ll find tour history, discography, and more. Their Facebook page shares updates and fan memories, while their Instagram offers behind-the-scenes throwbacks. On X, they post about their enduring influence and occasional live events. Fans also gather at sites like Steppenwolf’s official fan club and the Steppenwolf Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can connect over their love for the band’s rebellious spirit.