Steppenwolf (Steppenwolf album)
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.
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.
The opening song "Sookie Sookie" managed to get past censors, who did not seem to gather that the title, as sung by lead vocalist John Kay was a disguised version of a vulgar expression.
Track listing
Side one
- "Sookie Sookie" (Don Covay, Steve Cropper) –3:12
- "Everybody's Next One" (Kay, Gabriel Mekler) –2:53
- "Berry Rides Again" (Kay) –2:45
- "Hoochie Coochie Man" (Willie Dixon) –5:07
- "Born to Be Wild" (Mars Bonfire) –3:28
- "Your Wall's Too High" (Kay) –5:40
Side two
- "Desperation" (Kay) –5:45
- "The Pusher" (Hoyt Axton) –5:43
- "A Girl I Knew" (Morgan Cavett, Kay) –2:39
- "Take What You Need" (Kay, Gabriel Mekler) –3:28
- "The Ostrich" (Kay) –5:43
Personnel
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 |
Rock Albums |
6 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Year |
Single |
Chart |
Position |
1968 |
"Born to Be Wild" |
Rock Singles |
2 |
References
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