Born To Be Wild (Live 1995)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic "Born To Be Wild (Live 1995)" by Steppenwolf from their album Live at 25, and the Zoo Freaks are surely revving up to this timeless anthem. Written by Mars Bonfire (Dennis Edmonton), the song wasn’t initially about motorcycles but was inspired by Bonfire’s sense of freedom driving his Ford Falcon and a Hollywood Boulevard poster reading “Born to Ride” featuring a motorcycle bursting from a volcano. Bonfire originally crafted it as a ballad, but producer Gabriel Mekler and Steppenwolf transformed it into a high-octane rock classic in 1968. Its inclusion in the 1969 film Easy Rider cemented its status as a counterculture and biker anthem, with the song’s “heavy metal thunder” lyric famously marking the first use of “heavy metal” in rock music, though it referred to motorcycle noise, not the genre. Bonfire, who wasn’t in the studio for the recording, was stunned hearing the final version on the radio, praising guitarist Michael Monarch’s distorted riffs and John Kay’s commanding vocals.

Another layer to the song’s lore comes from Bonfire’s own account of its creation. After being evicted from his apartment for playing guitar too loudly, he recorded a hushed demo, whispering the lyrics and plucking quietly on his unamped Fender Telecaster, making it sound almost like a banjo. Publishers initially rejected the song, but when Steppenwolf reformed and needed material, Bonfire’s demo caught their ear. The band, especially 17-year-old Monarch, brought a raw energy that Bonfire hadn’t envisioned, turning his quiet composition into a roaring anthem. The song’s impact was immediate—Bonfire recalled hearing a stranger sing it in a theater bathroom after watching Easy Rider, realizing it had struck a cultural nerve. Its legacy endures, with John Kay noting in a Rolling Stone interview that “every generation thinks they’re born to be wild,” making it a perennial rebel’s anthem. The 1995 live version from Live at 25 captures the band’s enduring grit, recorded during their 25th-anniversary celebration.

Steppenwolf’s origins trace back to the mid-1960s in Toronto, where frontman John Kay (born Joachim Fritz Krauledat in 1944 in East Prussia) began playing music after emigrating to Canada in 1958. Growing up, Kay was shaped by American rock and blues heard on Armed Forces radio, learning English partly through records. In 1964, he joined The Sparrows, a blues-rock outfit with drummer Jerry Edmonton and keyboardist Goldy McJohn. The band, initially called Jack London and The Sparrows, moved to the U.S., recording for Columbia but achieving little success. By 1967, Kay, Edmonton, and McJohn relocated to Los Angeles, where producer Gabriel Mekler suggested reforming as Steppenwolf, inspired by Hermann Hesse’s novel Der Steppenwolf. They recruited guitarist Michael Monarch and bassist Rushton Moreve through local ads, and the new lineup signed with Dunhill Records. Their 1968 debut album, featuring “Born To Be Wild” and “The Pusher,” skyrocketed them to fame, with the former peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band’s early years were marked by a fierce, accessible energy—Kay described them as a “hard rock band” that didn’t “take shit from anybody,” staying close to their fans. They sold over 25 million records worldwide, with hits like “Magic Carpet Ride” and “Rock Me” alongside “Born To Be Wild.” Despite their success, clashing personalities led to the core lineup’s breakup in 1972, though Kay continued leading various iterations of the band, touring as John Kay & Steppenwolf from 1980 to 2018. Their influence is undeniable, with “Born To Be Wild” earning a 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nod in the singles category and a #29 ranking on AFI’s 100 Years...100 Songs for American cinema. The band even performed at the 2002 International Hermann-Hesse-Festival in Calw, Germany, honoring their literary namesake.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, Steppenwolf’s official website (www.steppenwolf.com) offers tour history, discography, and band updates. Their Facebook page (facebook.com/steppenwolf) shares photos, fan memories, and posts about their legacy, like the 1968 album anniversary celebrated by fans in 2025. While no official Instagram or X accounts are currently active for the band, fans keep the spirit alive elsewhere. The Steppenwolf Fan Club on Facebook (facebook.com/groups/144627672229751) is a vibrant community where enthusiasts share memorabilia, concert stories, and tributes. Though no dedicated fan websites stand out today, Discogs (discogs.com/artist/253662-Steppenwolf) is a treasure trove for collectors seeking rare vinyl like Live at 25. So, crank up that volume, Zoo Freaks, and let Steppenwolf’s wild spirit ride on!