steppinwolf one of the original heavy metel when it realy was heavy hetel had several hits in the sixties.....not just 2....and and were in a huge cult defieng sound track ....easy rider....lets see ride with me, the pusher, try a little tenderness, sookie sookie sooooo, rock me,those are just some of them... oh yeah how about magic carpit ride and born to be wild....all gold record singles.......monster/suicide/america....etc

Posted by rck on Wednesday, 04/10/2013 @ 22:05pm

what a shame. one of the original heavy metal rock bands from the sixties....they pretty much paved the heavy metal highway (born to be wild best car cruising song. (ever)). most of there hits were gold albums. sookie sookie, ride with me, jupiters child, rock me, hey lawdy moma, move over, monster. and oh yeah the pusher, magic carpit ride etc....and how about the sound track easy rider the poster child for sound tracks.there is a problem when a rootsy rock band cant get in the r&r hall... but some one like madonna gets in...come on man.........

Posted by rock n rick on Wednesday, 04/10/2013 @ 22:27pm

If Steppenwolf ever gets inducted into the RRHOF, who do you think should induct them?

My pick is Alice Cooper.

Posted by Andrew on Thursday, 05/2/2013 @ 17:30pm

Those who only know Steppenwolf by their overplayed top 40's hits can never fully understand the real reasons why this band, or John Kay, should be in the RRHOF. Sure they had some light weight songs, but which band doesn't have fluff? Their music offered gritty commentary on politics, current events, and a touch of philosophy. Take a listen to 'It's Never Too Late', 'Renegade', 'Hippo Stomp', 'For Ladies Only' and you'll hear a little of what I'm talking about. I think the only reason they haven't been considered is the sheer number of line-up changes. The only original member is John Kay, but he's the only one who's put his all into keeping the band afloat. He has standards and if that means replacing someone for another that holds those standards I say 'so be it'. John Kay should be inducted if they won't take the whole band.

Posted by Alpha Wolf on Monday, 10/7/2013 @ 14:30pm

Alpha

lets hope they get in the RRHOF

Posted by Happy on Monday, 10/7/2013 @ 18:15pm

I am a baby boomer myself and an African American at that,but even to a greater degree I'm a lover of classic rock And how can anyone that lived through that period (60's) and not love John Kay And Steppenwolf? They had an impact on the era almost as great as the Stones and Dylan. It is a disgrace that they were not inducted into the hall of fame long ago. It hurts me to the heart to even think about it. perhaps all those that feel as I do should file a petition to aspply a little pressure?

Posted by B.J Murray on Sunday, 06/14/2015 @ 17:01pm

sookie sookie soo one of the best rock songs ever steppenwolf should be in rrhof along with blue oyster cult

Posted by steve jensen on Friday, 05/6/2016 @ 13:56pm

https://www.rockhall.com/nominee/steppenwolf

Why is original bassist Rushton Moreve being left out of consideration for Steppenwolf? He was on Steppenwolf and Steppenwolf The Second. He played bass on "Born To Be Wild," and he not only played bass on "Magic Carpet Ride", he co-wrote the song with John Kay.

Posted by Roy on Friday, 10/21/2016 @ 21:48pm

I read an article on Yahoo today about the 2017 Nominees that bothered me. It was called " Rock is a disgrace". We have seen the Hall's disgraceful side. This writer is very Ignorant However. He says Steppenwolf don't deserve induction because they only have 2 big songs. That is just not right to say. I learned a lot about Steppenwolf working at a Used record shop almost 30 years ago. I had a Hippie boss. He was a teenager in the late 60s. He loved his Steppenwolf. They had a bunch of key albums at the time. I own the Best of Steppenwolf. The Pusher and Sookie sookie soo are notable tunes of that era other than the 2 Top 10 hits. They could do well with lots of veteran Voters.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 10/27/2016 @ 14:52pm

I have to admit that Steppenwolf must have more fans that I thought. In a very diverse ballot, Steppenwolf has received plenty of votes and could be one of those surprise Inductees. Born To Be Wild & Magic Carpet Ride are Classic songs. Joan Baez & Steppenwolf should resonate with many of the 60's and 70's era RRHOF inductees. It will be interesting to see if Steppenwolf returns to the ballot next year if they fall short of induction. KING

Posted by KING on Thursday, 10/27/2016 @ 20:16pm

I was 3 years Old when Steppenwolf were big. That Hippie boss was 14 years Older. He owned a a bunch of albums from Steppenwolf. They were played regularly on FM rock stations when those stations started. Rock veterans of the 60s will know that even if those younger don't. A whole bunch of the 60s era Inductees will Vote for them. I think Steppenwolf opened for the Doors and others like that. However Steppenwolf may be back next year. There is a Lot of competition this year. Joan Baez would resonate with many Old veterans of the 60s era too. I am not sure about 2 60s artists at the same time these days.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 10/27/2016 @ 20:32pm

Steppenwolf was a thinking mans band. instead of making us want to dance, they made us want to think. and there in may lie the problem. I visited the r&r hall back in 2007 and was pretty much flabbergasted by many who have already been inducted' it struck me that the inductors are far more interested in glitz and glamour than in serious music contributions and impact on the culture of their times. maybe, just maybe, Steppenwolf was too real, too honest and too up front to fit in with all that glitz and glamour. may have been just too scary for the music ESTABLISHMENT. : ) red jordan

Posted by red jordan on Sunday, 10/30/2016 @ 12:14pm

if this occurs, I think it would be neat if the inductor would be someone from the early days. an old time friendly rival from the Toronto scene. neil young.

Posted by red jordan on Thursday, 11/3/2016 @ 12:12pm

I think Steppenwolf may return next year. The Hall does that. If a newer nominee loses they often return the following year. There was a whole bunch of old Classic acts this year including a bunch from the 60s. There is a lot of inductees that are into the glitz and glamour. Particularly in recent years. It is claimed that Steppenwolf may be too real. There are many real acts that used to go in. This is a throw back to that. I think its taking longer for them because there was a move away from being real and honest. The Hall is trying to catch up with them.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 02/16/2017 @ 10:48am

Ben,

I have never heard anyone claim Steppenwolf is "too real." Nor have I ever heard stated that the Hall made "move away from being real and honest." And quite frankly, I have no idea what you even mean by that.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 02/16/2017 @ 11:34am

Philip,

It was the opinion of Red Jordon. I dont know him. I was responding to his opinion of Glitz and Glamour. He stated that Steppenwolf may have been too real. I simply saw his point. However this Red Jordan failed to say that there were many other acts with an honest approach. Many years back the Doors and the Animals had that real approach. So did Recent acts like Albert King, Heart, Rush, Joan Jett and Lou Reed. Red Jordan has not responded at all. Soo we can move on.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 02/18/2017 @ 10:19am

Ben,

Since you saw his point, perhaps you can understand what the heck is meant by "too real" and "honest/real approach." As opposed "dishonest/fictional approach"? It sounds like "real/honest" is little more than a way to describe music that resonates with your upbringing or worldview, but I'm sure that's not what is meant here. So, if you'd care to at least expound on that, it'd be appreciated.

Posted by Philip on Saturday, 02/18/2017 @ 21:30pm

Philip,

I saw Red Jordon's point but expanded on it. He doesn't seem to be around on here. It does sound like its based on your upbringing or worldview. But I don't think that's what's meant here either. I think that guy was saying that Steppenwolf were perhaps too honest by singing of controversial issues like drugs with the Pusher or politics with Monster. He forgot that plenty of acts in the 60s and 70s have been inducted with a real/honest approach. The Doors, The Animals, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Eric Clapton among many others. They are real/ honest with their songs or instrument.Bruce Springsteen, Talking Heads and Elvis Costello have that sound too. There is a lot. Patti Smith, REM and the list goes on and on.

So that's a lot more than Steppenwolf. It sure is. Now sometimes an act is inducted that have more of the Glitz and Glamour. Those are more commercial acts that have been inducted. Glitz and Glamour does not mean they are not worthy of the Hall. There is plenty of commercial acts in the Hall. That is fine. I prefer the honest less commercial acts but commercial glitzy acts can be in the Hall too. If an act has hits and huge impact they can be in the Hall. Some commercial acts are not bad. A whole bunch are in so its cool to have less commercial acts inducted and nominated like Paul Butterfield BB, Lou Reed and Steppenwolf. There is some variety for the "real" thing. That is that.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 03/9/2017 @ 11:07am

Ben,

I just now saw red's remarks above yours, and don't know how I missed them before. Either way, as you point out, the argument is ultimately crap because either red's defining "real" as aligning with their worldview or upbringing, or there are simply too many other acts who have been inducted who have certain similarities to what and how Steppenwolf did what they did.

Also, glitz and glamour doesn't have to mean less real either. As much as I loathe Madonna, and think she's the ultimate example of style without substance, there's a reality that people kept trying to ignore until "Papa, Don't Preach", with all its glitz and glamour and pop sensibilities, grabbed people by the ears and made them listen. Not to mention, how people react can be different and it doesn't make it any less "real" if people react with the kind of hard-bitten stoicism you hear in Pearl Jam's music, or if they express it with externalizing, audible, and transparent, yet polished anguish like you'd hear from the "Prince Of Wails", Gene Pitney. Neither reaction is less "real." So either way, red's argument is pretty much useless.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 03/9/2017 @ 19:04pm

Philip,

It seems like we agree. I would say that most acts in the Hall are 'real". I am not a big Michael Jackson fan at all but he belongs in the Hall despite all the Glitz and glamour. Heal the World reflects on helping people. Billy Jean is pure pop yes. But it is real in the sense that its about relationship. Again I don't like Michael Jackson too much. He is certainly commercial.

Other examples. People react with artistic interest to the music of the Talking Heads or dig the soulfulness of Son of a Preacher Man, Dusty Springfield. Both reactions are real. So this guy Red's argument is useless as you say. I have diverse tastes.

Posted by Ben on Friday, 03/10/2017 @ 09:16am

What we can say is Steppenwolf is a good nomination for the Hall. They did not get nominated all this time because there was a move away from 60s acts for about a year. ITs NOT because they are too "real". The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was the last 60s act inducted. I own a couple things from Paul Butterfield. I also own 16 Greatest Hits from Steppenwolf. Both are fine acts. I like the 4 70s acts that were inducted last year. Chicago, Deep Purple. Steve Miller and Cheap Trick are all deserving. Yes and ELO are deserving this year. Joan Baez is the 60s act this year. Deserving also.

Posted by Ben on Friday, 03/10/2017 @ 11:13am

Steppenwolf certainly deserves to be in! I cannot believe they are not,long overdue which carries me to believe the rock and roll hall of fame , it's all BS!!!! Great music from a great era,and not just magic carpet ride and born to be wild!!

Posted by bob on Wednesday, 07/5/2017 @ 10:08am

Found an interesting video on YouTube! This dude wants Steppenwolf to call the living members of Nirvana so they can get into the HOF.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F6ruG-md0iU

Posted by The Dude on Friday, 02/8/2019 @ 19:22pm

A travesty. They are rock and roll

Posted by Nomad59 on Thursday, 07/11/2019 @ 11:52am

Steppenwolf deserves to be in! There are a lot of artists that are in there that shouldn’t be there. It’s turned into kind of a sad joke really! If SW songs don’t spark adventure in the soul then the listener probably should probably listen to country music or something.

Posted by Goose on Sunday, 09/15/2019 @ 16:28pm

Love 60's Pschydelic guitar. Saw him in concert was great! Tommy & The Shondells, Three Dog Night seen fantastic,The Guess Who saw awesome. Need to be inducted. Need to do a decades ballot 50s doo wop,70s,80s,solo artists etc...

Posted by Donna on Wednesday, 11/27/2019 @ 03:37am

I have to agree with most of the comments above, dating back a decade. It's time for Steppenwolf to be recognized. Born to Be Wild is THE anthem of a generation. And John and his wife, Jutta's, work for environmental and animal rights causes alone should qualify them for recognition. We've lost Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda from Easy Rider, time to keep the spirit alive by honoring Steppenwolf.

Posted by Lizzie Bibb on Monday, 02/3/2020 @ 19:02pm

1. watch the news for 10 minutes tonight then
2. listen to Steppenwolf's "Monster" on you tube for the next 10 minutes.
3 watch any presidential or political debate from the last 50 years, then
4 listen to Steppenwolf's "Move Over" on you tube.
5 think about global warming and environmental issues for about 5 minutes, then
6 listen to Steppenwolf's "The Ostrich" and "Take What You Need" on You Tube.
7 watch Netflix "The Pharmacist" then
8 listen to Steppenwolf's cover versions of Hoyt Axton's "Snowblind Friend" and "The Pusher".
9.contemplate what freedom really means and to what lengths you're willing to go to obtain it, then
10 listen to Steppenwolf's "Renegade"
11 think of any social injustice or one group of people trying to dominate another, then
12 listen to Steppenwolf"s 'Power Play" (Etta James certainly did. She ended up recording it too)
13. As you listen to the lyrics of the songs listed above ask yourself what's changed since most of these songs were recorded? Has it really been 50 years or just 50 minutes? In their day, Steppenwolf was influential, prolific, and prophetic. Not sure if the RnRHoF is even worthy of them!

Posted by Rocker on Saturday, 07/4/2020 @ 00:55am

Should of been inducted a long, long time ago. They were a great band whose music inspired a generation. Isn't that what the Hall of Fame is all about?

Posted by Marcy on Monday, 09/20/2021 @ 16:54pm

Steppenwolf surely belongs in the HOF, more so than the following artists who are not Rock and Roll, including:
Anna
Chet Atkins
Joan Baez
Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys
Leonard Cohen
Floyd Cramer
Woody Guthrie
Whitney Houston
Pete Seeger
(No disrespect to these artists, but they are not rock and roll.)

Posted by Mike McElhoe on Wednesday, 09/29/2021 @ 16:54pm

I was cranking up the 'sound machine' to magic carpet ride, born to be wild, renegade (mom and her sisters came from Germany in '56), the pusher, don't step on the grass Sam, etc. in the late '60's.
To know John's (joachim's) heritage and history (legally blind, too) and see what he was able to accomplish, to me, makes his efforts more noteworthy.
Some of these other artists/ bands probably deserve recognition within their genre, but a little closer look as to whether they're rock and roll would be prudent.
The Wolfpack lives on 50+ years later. Their warnings about the government are still relevant today. Hear the Heavy Metal Thunder.

Posted by Bob Paulino on Wednesday, 12/29/2021 @ 07:34am

You are kidding me! Steppenwolf is one of the most iconic driving r&b rock bands of all time. Born to be Wild alone should make them a shoe in. Once again it shows the RR Hall is out of touch with Rock music. Especially when you put Eminem in. Eminem is a rapper not a Rocker. Steppenwolf is a must.

Posted by Carl Hardy on Monday, 03/14/2022 @ 09:30am

I agree - Steppenwolf should be included!

Posted by Oystein Holter on Sunday, 05/22/2022 @ 09:39am

This legendary rock group more than deserves the honor and recognition for their stamp on Rock 'n Roll. Steppenwolf brightened the '60's and early '70's with 21 singles and 18 Albums. Their songs depict the culture change of the sixties and soundtracks of Epic movies eg. 'Easy Rider'. To shun them is unforgivable. Judge by the their music in its Era; leave the politics aside just take us on a Magic Carpet Ride and Rock Me.
If you ever felt moved by the music and Born To Be Wild then induct don't obstruct.

Posted by Tim Mullin on Saturday, 06/18/2022 @ 11:49am

I have actually seen John Kay and Steppenwolf in concert over 30 times over the years (the last time at the millennial concert in Phoenix on Dec 31, Jan 1 2000). Next to Paul Rodgers, John Kay has the most distinctive voice in rock and roll. Their first seven albums are all classics. The most haunting of all is when they do Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher," which is best seen live. How they are not in yet Donna Summer is, a major bone of contention in my humble opinion. They embody rock and roll of the late 60s and early 70s as much as Hendrix and Joplin, granted not for pure talent but t the sound is more than enough . (Of course I am writing this while listening to "Foggy Mental Breakdown").

Posted by Mark Manypenny on Friday, 07/1/2022 @ 20:24pm

The day I first heard the album version of magic carpet ride I was 13.. I said to myself I wanna play a B3 hammond like that!! And I did!! Steppenwolf have been scoffed for far too many years. F. ING tragic

Posted by Ennis Whalen on Monday, 11/7/2022 @ 17:54pm

I first heard Steppenwolf when I was in grade school. I am 59 now, have seen Steppenwolf 7 or 8 times, talked with John Kay, have all their LPs, including bootlegs and even have a Steppenwolf tattoo. Steppenwolf 7 is their best.

They are no bullshit rock & roll and have worked hard to earn a spot in the RRHOF.

Posted by Aaron Gunther on Friday, 11/11/2022 @ 21:59pm

I think the great song MONSTER is holding him back, it ruffle too many feathers, Rocco, and John Kay

Posted by Jerry on Friday, 02/3/2023 @ 10:08am

Steppenwolf should've been inducted 14 15 years ago. I don't know what they're waiting for. I hope they get a nomination next year at least

Posted by Steven Dwyer on Thursday, 03/30/2023 @ 01:50am

55 years ago I couldn't wait for the next Steppenwolf album. Monster is my all time favorite yet one never hear these cuts on radio. This band is more than worthy to be in the RR Hall of Fame. If people don't like the truth being told by their songs shame on them. Just think of Eve Of Destruction which is very relevant today as when it recorded 60 years ago

Posted by Steven Case on Thursday, 07/13/2023 @ 15:47pm

RRHOF is a joke. Shouldn't even exist without Steppinwolf. Born to be Wild alone is enoigh by itself to get them in along with several other great songs. Then they indicted Bob Wills, Dolly Parton who have never had a R&R song amd Madonna, what a joke.

Posted by RRHOF is a joke and shouldnt even be taken seriously without Steppenwolf as a member. Then they induct Bob Wills and Dolly Parton egi have never had A RR hit song in their careers. Born to be wild alone should’ve been enough to get them in. on Tuesday, 03/26/2024 @ 11:08am

RRHOF is a joke. Shouldn't even exist without Steppinwolf. Born to be Wild alone is enoigh by itself to get them in along with several other great songs. Then they indicted Bob Wills, Dolly Parton who have never had a R&R song amd Madonna, what a joke.

Posted by RRHOF is a joke and shouldnt even be taken seriously without Steppenwolf as a member. Then they induct Bob Wills and Dolly Parton egi have never had A RR hit song in their careers. Born to be wild alone should’ve been enough to get them in. on Tuesday, 03/26/2024 @ 11:19am

Another classic song is Monster! Beyond their 3 top ten songs: Rock Me, Born to Be Wild, Magic Carpet Ride, and the great Hoyt Axton Covers of The Pusher and Snowblind Friend by John Kay and Steppenwolf, 'Monster' is a ten minute ride through the rise and fall of America's guiding spirit and values due to corruption and the lethargy of the people...

John Kay wrote, "The protectors have been sleeping and now their vote is a meaningless joke... We babble about law and order, but it is all just an echo of what we've been told... Cause there's a Monster on the loose... and it just sits there watching!

Posted by Jay S Levy on Thursday, 06/13/2024 @ 22:40pm