Steppenwolf's Debut Album: A Classic Rock Favorite

The term "Heavy Metal" originated in 1839 to describe a group of toxic metals. It later appeared in literature in William S. Burroughs's 1961 novel, The Soft Machine, referring to a character named Uranian Willy: The Heavy Metal Kid. Steppenwolf's iconic song "Born To Be Wild," released in 1968, featured the famous lyric "I like smoke and lightnin', heavy metal thunder." The band recorded the song in 1967 for their debut album at American Recorders in Studio City, California.

The debut album, released on January 29, 1968, included a mix of original songs and covers like Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher" and Willie Dixon's "Hoochie Koochie Man." The success of the album was boosted by the inclusion of "Born to Be Wild" and "The Pusher" in the 1969 film Easy Rider. The soundtrack's release in September 1969 further propelled the album's sales, keeping it on the Billboard best sellers list for 87 weeks.

Explore our classic rock collection for limited edition vinyl and CDs. Steppenwolf's debut album continues to be a classic rock favorite, with its timeless tracks resonating with music lovers.