Post by MissChromeNun on Oct 6, 2019 17:06:43 GMT -6
Before Steppenwolf, there was the Sparrow. Starting life in 1964 as Jack London and the Sparrows, the group was founded by Englishman Dave Marden (aka Jack London) who took advantage of the British Invasion, going as far as to coach the band to affect an English accent. Some major lineup changes later, the Sparrows eventually acquired the very members who would form the original Steppenwolf. Their sound also morphed from beat group to a harder blues rock. By now, mid-1965, the band was starting to fracture, and they split from Jack London.
In September of that year, a German-born Canadian named John Kay and a keyboard player named Goldy McJohn joined the band, now called Sparrows. They played in New York, changed name again to simply Sparrow, recorded two singles, and headed to California in late 1966, playing in Los Angeles and in San Francisco, where they performed at such venues as the Matrix and the Avalon Ballroom. After performing in both cities, Dennis Edmonton left, and Sparrow brought in guitarist Michael Monarch as replacement. Dennis Edmonton would later be known as Mars Bonfire.
Then in 1967, bassist Nick St. Nicholas left Sparrow for another band, The Hardtimes, later T.I.M.E. (Trust In Men Everywhere). After recording two albums with his new group, his former bandmates from Sparrow came to see him perform. They asked him to come back and join their band - now called Steppenwolf, after German author Herman Hesse's 1927 novel.
These are their recordings with Columbia, originally recorded in 1966 and 1967, then released in 1969 after Steppenwolf made it big. Also included are eight bonus tracks. Enjoy!
Twisted - 0:00
Goin' To California - 3:15
Baby, Please Don't Go - 05:40
Down Goes Your Love Life - 8:59
Bright Lights, Big City - 11:00
Can't Make Love By Yourself - 14:10
Good Morning Little School Girl - 16:36
King Pin - 20:31
Square Headed People - 23:33
Chasin' Shadows - 26:02
Green Bottle Lover - 29:25
Isn't It Strange - 32:06
Bonus:
Tomorrow's Ship - 34:37
Twisted (alternate take) - 37:47
Goin' To California (alternate take) - 40:45
Hoochie Coochie Man - 43:17
The Pusher - 47:50
Goin' Upstairs - 53:12
Tighten Up Your Wig - 59:02
Too Late - 01:02:12
In September of that year, a German-born Canadian named John Kay and a keyboard player named Goldy McJohn joined the band, now called Sparrows. They played in New York, changed name again to simply Sparrow, recorded two singles, and headed to California in late 1966, playing in Los Angeles and in San Francisco, where they performed at such venues as the Matrix and the Avalon Ballroom. After performing in both cities, Dennis Edmonton left, and Sparrow brought in guitarist Michael Monarch as replacement. Dennis Edmonton would later be known as Mars Bonfire.
Then in 1967, bassist Nick St. Nicholas left Sparrow for another band, The Hardtimes, later T.I.M.E. (Trust In Men Everywhere). After recording two albums with his new group, his former bandmates from Sparrow came to see him perform. They asked him to come back and join their band - now called Steppenwolf, after German author Herman Hesse's 1927 novel.
These are their recordings with Columbia, originally recorded in 1966 and 1967, then released in 1969 after Steppenwolf made it big. Also included are eight bonus tracks. Enjoy!
Twisted - 0:00
Goin' To California - 3:15
Baby, Please Don't Go - 05:40
Down Goes Your Love Life - 8:59
Bright Lights, Big City - 11:00
Can't Make Love By Yourself - 14:10
Good Morning Little School Girl - 16:36
King Pin - 20:31
Square Headed People - 23:33
Chasin' Shadows - 26:02
Green Bottle Lover - 29:25
Isn't It Strange - 32:06
Bonus:
Tomorrow's Ship - 34:37
Twisted (alternate take) - 37:47
Goin' To California (alternate take) - 40:45
Hoochie Coochie Man - 43:17
The Pusher - 47:50
Goin' Upstairs - 53:12
Tighten Up Your Wig - 59:02
Too Late - 01:02:12
