| John Kay |
Kay performing at at Lillehammer Rock Weekend, in Lillehammer, Oppland, Norway, 26 May 2007 |
| Background information |
| Birth name |
Joachim Fritz Krauledat |
| Born |
(1944-04-12) 12 April 1944 (age 69)
Tilsit, then Germany today Russia |
| Origin |
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres |
Rock, blues, folk |
| Occupations |
Musician, songwriter, producer |
| Instruments |
Vocals, guitar, harmonica |
| Years active |
1964–present |
| Labels |
Dunhill, Mums, Epic, MCA, Mercury, Attic, Qwil, I.R.S., K-tel, Winter Harvest, CMC International, Cannonball, Rainman |
| Associated acts |
The Sparrows, Steppenwolf, The John Kay Band, |
| Website |
www.steppenwolf.com |
| Notable instruments |
| Rickenbacker 381 |
John Kay (born Joachim Fritz Krauledat, 12 April 1944, in Tilsit, East Prussia, Germany, now Sovetsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia) [1] is a German-Canadian-American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf.[2]
Early life [edit]
In the Evacuation of East Prussia in early 1945, in harsh winter conditions, his mother first had to flee with the baby boy from the advancing Soviet troops. In 1948, the two also fled from Arnstadt in the East German Soviet occupation zone to resettle in Hanover, West Germany (as recounted in his song "Renegade" on the album Steppenwolf 7). Located in the British occupation zone, teen aged Joachim, suffering from eyesight problems, listened to music broadcast by the British Forces Broadcasting Service before his family moved to Canada in 1958.
Musical career [edit]
Kay in a performance in South Carolina on January 1, 1971
Kay joined a blues rock and folk music group known as The Sparrows in 1965, which had moderate success in Canada before moving to California in the USA, augmenting its line-up and changing its name to Steppenwolf in 1967. With music that pioneered hard rock and heavy metal, Kay's Steppenwolf had international success with songs such as "Born to Be Wild", "Magic Carpet Ride", "Monster", "The Pusher", and "Rock Me". This was multiplied by the use of "Born to Be Wild" and "The Pusher" in the 1969 movie Easy Rider.
Kay recorded both as a solo artist and with Steppenwolf during the late 1970s, and wrapped up Steppenwolf's 40th year of touring with what was to be a final gig in October 2007. However, Kay and Steppenwolf appeared July 24, 2010, at the three-day HullabaLOU music festival in Louisville, Kentucky.[3]
Awards and recognition [edit]
Kay's star on Canada's Walk of Fame.)
In 2004, although never becoming a Canadian citizen,[4] Kay was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in recognition of the beginning of his musical career in Toronto. Kay was present at the induction ceremony in Toronto, and reiterated his strong affection for Canada.[5]
Personal life [edit]
Kay suffers from increased sensitivity to light, so he wears sunglasses regardless of time of day, and during his concerts. In addition, he was born with a congenital disorder called achromatopsia; complete color blindness; a defect of the cone cells in the eyes which causes him to see in black and white, and resulted in qualifying him as being legally blind.[6] Despite this condition, he is an avid videographer.
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
Singles [edit]
| Year |
Single |
Chart positions |
Album |
| CAN |
CAN AC |
CAN Country |
US |
| 1972 |
"I'm Movin' On" |
45 |
— |
— |
52 |
Forgotten Songs and Unsung Heroes |
| 1973 |
"Moonshine (Friend of Mine)" |
26 |
19 |
44 |
105 |
My Sportin' Life |
| "Easy Evil" |
82 |
— |
— |
102 |
See also [edit]
References [edit]
External links [edit]
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| Studio albums |
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| Live albums |
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| Compilations |
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| Videos & DVDs |
- Hard Times to Hard Rock
- Living Legends of Rock & Roll - Live from Itchycoo Park
- Live in Louisville
- Rock N’ Roll Greats (Steppenwolf DVD)
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| Singles |
- "A Girl I Knew"
- "Sookie Sookie"
- "Born to Be Wild"
- "Magic Carpet Ride"
- "Rock Me"
- "It's Never Too Late"
- "Move Over"
- "Monster"
- "Hey Lawdy Mama"
- "Screaming Night Hog"
- "Who Needs Ya"
- "The Pusher"
- "Snowblind Friend"
- "Ride With Me"
- "For Ladies Only"
- "Straight Shootin’ Woman"
- "Get Into The Wind"
- "Smokey Factory Blues"
- "Caroline"
- "Hot Night In A Cold Town"
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| Related articles |
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John Kay
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| Persondata |
| Name |
Kay, John |
| Alternative names |
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| Short description |
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| Date of birth |
12 April 1944 |
| Place of birth |
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| Date of death |
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| Place of death |
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