1969: We make it home for Christmas… and a 13 ft delight. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand “Tribute to Steppenwolf” kicks off 1970. Our “Concert for Peace” becomes the “Steppenwolf Live” LP, but we part ways with Gabriel. An evening backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, Jimmy Buffet’s review of our Nashville concert and a Sunday afternoon at Johnny Cash & June Carter’s home. Monster and more at Playboy After Dark and Bunny Ears at the Fillmore East? New blood in the band for “Steppenwolf 7” with Richie Podolor producing. Nixon expands the war into Cambodia, 900 campuses demonstrate, with 4 students killed at the Kent State campus in Ohio and we play concert at USC for the “Students against the war in Cambodia” committee. Back in England we play Bath Festival with Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Zappa’s Mothers and Santana, then lots of fun in ‘swinging’ London. Royal Albert Hall concert audience can’t get enough and its frenzy makes this special night unforgettable for us. Sailing to the Big Apple on the QE2 to play “Festival of Peace” at Shea Stadium, where I see Janice for the last time. Heatstroke danger at the Warehouse in New Orleans, but a great audience to play for. Become friends with Michael Blake who years later receives his Oscar for writing “Dances with Wolves.” We sue our label, Dunhill Records, in 1971 and strong arm a better deal. Our “For Ladies Only” LP, with a new lead guitarist, has its moments but lacks luster. My batteries are drained, I want time to recharge and do a solo album when I feel ready. Valentine’s Day is declared “Steppenwolf” day, but it’s also the day the Wolf says “Good Bye”…..wait, so this is the END?....Well, not so fast, stay tuned, the fat Lady has yet to sing. JK

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Magic Carpet Ride is number 2, but one of us is missing in action. “Steppenwolf The Second” is just released but Dunhill already wants the next LP, so it’s back into the studio. “Candy,” with Marlon Brando & Richard Burton, becomes the first film featuring Wolf music: “Magic Carpet Ride” and “Rock Me.” There’s a new - old player in the band, the “At your Birthday Party” LP is coming along and we’re treated like Rockstars….even at the Playboy mansion, where the Alpha Playboy shows us “Big Bunny.” I get tipsy at the Bear’s ruined house, but we take the LP cover shot anyway. My Mother gets to see her boy play for thousands and is pleased that he amounts to something. It’s arena shows and festivals near and far, with the Grateful Dead, Sly & the family Stone, Marvin Gaye etc. and New Years Eve at the Phoenix Coliseum. 1969 starts with The Smothers Brothers TV show on CBS and another Playboy After Dark gig, Hef says “Big Bunny” is on the way. It’s off to Europe to play the UK, Germany, Holland etc. and coming home with vintage English cars. Newport’69 draws over 200,000 and we’re having a blast, next day in Toronto…..not so much. Peter Fonda & Dennis Hopper show us “Easy Rider” and we say YES, use “The Pusher” and “Born to be wild.” Good move, because the film’s success brings our music to many far flung corners of the globe. Our Ed Sullivan TV show gig goes well, but Ed’s not sure about “The Fugs” and rolls his eyes. A hot, new guitar player’s talents make our Monster album stand out. Jimi Hendrix likes the “Don’t step on the grass Sam” riff, while Jutta likes his swimming pool. The writing of the Monster LP becomes a true group effort and the album is a hit on University and College Campuses during the nationwide anti-Viet Nam War demonstrations. The LP’s lyrics resonate with many and give voice to some who make these songs their own. Jimmy Buffet reviews our show in Nashville, we visit the Man in Black at home, we then….to be continued in EP6….hope you’re still with me then: JK

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With not a penny to my name, it’s Jutta & The Pink Pussycat to the rescue. Music Moguls are no help, enter Gabriel Mekler, just in time. Garage band music brings the LAPD, but a cassette with “Born to be wild” sounds promising. The Demo session that almost wasn’t….thanks to the LAPD…spawns the name “Steppenwolf”. Dunhill Records takes a chance with ‘The Wolf’. Then it’s ‘Good bye’ Western and “Hello” American Recorders and a finished album in just 4 days. Jutta is pregnant and loses job, pregnant pussycats are not wanted. Long hair’s a no-go at Disneyland, but I will remember this indignity. First LP and “Sookie, Sookie” are released early ‘68 and we’re played on AM and FM. March 29, 1968: Daughter Shawn is born while I’m on stage with “The Wolf” at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Dunhill doesn’t think “Born to be wild” is a single, but we beg to differ. We, “The Wolf”, play nationwide and watch Arthur Brown ignite himself in NYC’s “The Scene” club. Hugh Heffner applauds our sound & lyrics at his “Playboy after dark” TV show. 1968 is very good to us, our records are high on the charts, but it’s a very difficult year for our country, with too many leaders lost and much turmoil in the streets. We leave all that behind for a few days and play in Honolulu, enjoying some fun in the sun as well. Once back on the mainland we begin headlining in arenas, have 2 songs in the Film Candy, appear on the Smothers Brothers CBS TV show and then….continued on EP5….stay tuned, there’s much more to come. JK

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