"Despite their literary namesake, Steppenwolf is remembered less for the psychedelic wanderings of the counter culture than for the band's brand of pure, hard rock. ""Born To Be Wild,"" their best known song and one of the best known anthems of the '60s today, became a springboard for many future rock bands looking for a sound that was heavy and fast enough to suit their tastes. Along with ""Magic Carpet Ride,"" the band's other major hit single, they're remembered as having helped define the sound of hard rock. Past these two songs, however, they're work isn't very well known.Steppenwolf's history begins in 1967, when it was formed by frontman and vocalist Joachim Krauledat, a German rocker who Americanized his name to John Kay. Kay's father had died fighting the Russians during WWII. His mother fled with him into West Germany after the country was divided, leaving him exposed to the rock 'n' roll he heard blaring out of American servicemen's radios. He would learn English listening to the DJs, gaining exposure to gospel and R&B music as well.In the '60, he struggled in a band called The Sparrow, which broke up in 1967. Forming a new band with drummer Jerry Edmonton, keyboardist Goldy McJohn, bassist Rushton Moreve and a 17-year-old guitar prodigy named Micheal Monarch. The band adopted its name from the spiritual Herman Hesse novel of the same name, increasing their appeal among the shaggy-haired set.""Born to Be Wild' earned some major exposure after being included in Dennis Hopper's Easy Rider. The quintessential counter-culture film had the perfect, independent-minded song on its soundtrack. Forever after, the song would be synonymous with bikers and the open road. ""Magic Carpet Ride"" would also earn the band renown. To this day, the band has sold more than 25 million albums, and licensed its music for more than 50 movies."