I have a tremendous amount of respect for John Kay. Not only as a musician. But as a person.

One of the sanest rock legends, a formative element of my generation.

Wow, didn't realize how much depth John Kay has, inspiring!

This is a VERY, VERY, VERY intelligent person. And he CAN sing! I grew up with Steppenwolf when in Italy nobody knew who they were... LEGEND! ❤️

John Kay is truly intellectual and introspective like many 60's rock people

I am 63. We had the coolest cars, the best of rock and roll, missed the Vietnam war, didn't carry a phone everywhere, didn't wear the silly bicycle helmets and Steppenwolf.

@kimosabbe50

Ай бұрын

😂 Three years later ... I totally agree! 👍

Still listening to and loving Steppenwolf in 2019. He still has a great voice too. Rock on, John.

Love his music. Monster is an awesome tune

John K is talented, brilliant, ethical and handsome. And I never get tired of listening to his superb music. He is amazing. Jay

Very intelligent gentleman.

What a great guy! I had no idea what an articulate and thoughtful guy!! Go John!

As a now retired senior I must say Steppenwolf with John Kay singing was alway my favorite band back in the 1970's! Keep singing Mr. Kay!

@tomrogerlilleby2890

Жыл бұрын

Along with John Fogerthy and Creedence Clearwater Revival !

John Kay still one of the greats

John thanks for the great music, especially Monster.

Steppenwolf’s lyrics of that day are as timeless and relevant today. I played Monster for a friend’s 20 something. They thought it was written as a result of today’s events. The look on their face when told it was written in the Viet Nam era was priceless.

@lesschoenberger3070

2 жыл бұрын

Great stuff!!!

@TheUnofficialMaker

11 ай бұрын

my first concert in 69 corpus christi, Monster had just come out. never forgot it.

@petercota

8 ай бұрын

Wow, great john kay . Truth must be heard..you cut right thru the BS.. good man .

John Kay is the real deal... and he never sold out.

@thmpick

5 жыл бұрын

You are absolutely Right! Hid music & songs he's written tells who he is and why 50 years ago at age 13-14 I heard the message loud & clear! Hid songs mplded my thinking from the start and had a lot to do whth who I am today! My all tiome favorite singer/song writer and performer... He is a true Bold Marauder!

@23igna

4 жыл бұрын

His life story is amazing too. He ran away from East Prussia with his mother to avoid getting captured by the soviet army and his father was killed after his birth.

@warrenwells9166

4 жыл бұрын

Cool dude , thanks for explaining the pusher

@lesschoenberger3070

4 жыл бұрын

@@23igna Actually his father died in the war 1 month before his birth.

@tankmacnamara3734

3 жыл бұрын

Great singer. One of the best. He's got a voice made for rock.

The song Monster should be played on all airwaves across America. EVERYDAY. A very important contribution to R&R and America is Steppenwolf.

@unclesalty7778

Жыл бұрын

Agree neighbor! Those lyrics WE ARE LIVING IT!

@lesschoenberger3070

Жыл бұрын

It should be blasted over loudspeakers set up all around the White House!

@user-ms7ll6eo1b

3 ай бұрын

Here here

@user-ms7ll6eo1b

3 ай бұрын

Don't Step on the Grass Sam Monster The Pusher

It was refreshing to see John Kay after all these years. TX

Well known as a kind and decent person for decades with a heart of gold. Thanks for your great songs and service to the world!

His lyrics were right on , even back then....he was right.

This is a man who knows, and always has, just who he is. Interesting to see him without his signature glasses.

Neat show, John is as good of speaker as he is a singer. It's a lot of fun listening to his philosophical side of life. Thank You for uploading.

@petersonlafollette3521

2 жыл бұрын

Was always the epitome of COOL star- understated yet enormous talent.

Love Steppenwolf. John Kay is a class act.

This man's words certainly apply for current times today in 2022.

@edratman

6 ай бұрын

Especially monster

John Kay and Steppenwolf's song Monster from 1969 is an anthem for what is happening in this country today.

This man is my hero.His music goes deep within this Soul of mine and I have the Ultimate respect for his Opinions...👑

Great to have an opportunity to hear the brilliant John Kay express his personal views about his art and the culture.. Definitely one of the really major musical influences of the 60s.

What a life story. His story should be made into a movie.

John Kay, Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Neil young and many others never stray far from the path of integrity.

I grew up with his music. Very interesting and thoughtful man. It's so nice to be in my 60's and hear not only my musical heroes are still around, like myself, but as always have great beliefs and are still saying and singing them.

@AliG-xh1jm

7 жыл бұрын

Dezotuf...Roger that Bro! Roger.....that!

@edratman

6 ай бұрын

Yeah, just wish with all my might that I could hear it again😢

John Kay was the epitome of cool back in the day... With his leather and shades on and those rockin songs...

@sid7088

2 жыл бұрын

Saw them live once in the 80's and that was the biggest thing I noticed too, man he's cool, confident and comfortable on stage.

I listen to Steppenwolf almost daily before heading out for my day! That band should absolutely be in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. John Kay and Steppenwolf's music will be relevant forever!

John Kay a legend in our time

After all these years of enjoying his music and his singing... i am hearing John's personal history for the first time. I am very impressed with the man and his experiences.

“Monster” on “Steppenwolf Live” is a lesson in American History every high school should teach, explore and discuss with students to help them understand the necessity of free speech, protest and self criticism to preserve liberty and seek the same for all people. For me it is an anthem and the perfect marriage of music and lyrical content. A masterpiece of its time and timeless in its message.

@lesschoenberger3070

3 жыл бұрын

It was used in schools many years ago for the purpose that you described.

love john kay he can sure draw you in to his story like you are living it with him.

The way they dealt with the censoring of the words " god damn " in The Pusher at the NC gig was genius. The audience probably had a great time doing it

@markhardiman1179

Жыл бұрын

Uh huh. A video of that particular event woulda been an interesting watch. Seeing all the red faced people who made the threats. 🤣🤣🤣

I love John Kay and all the other guys from Steppenwolf. They were my favorite band growing up.

@daveguitarnowski4402

Жыл бұрын

mine too, brother!

@garyssimo

Жыл бұрын

Dave I dig your lastname! Mine is guitarholic

John Kay is the man. He has led a fascinating and exciting life. Born in Germany during WWII and living with all the terror associated with the war. Father--a German soldier. And on to the greatest 60s music I have ever heard. I listen to Monster always! Rock on, John!

@geraroda2868

2 жыл бұрын

Actually he was born in Lithuanian town Tilžė ("Tilsit" in German) just governed by Germany. His true Lithuanian name is Krauledaitis. There was (before Soviet genocide of local people in 1944-1945) a Lithuanian village of the same name Krauledaičiai, near Tilžė.

@sparkx251

Жыл бұрын

The song Monster should be played on all airwaves across America. EVERYDAY. A very important contribution to R&R and America is Steppenwolf.

John Kay is a great man. He's always seen things very clearly.

John Kay never sold out. Steppenwolf Live! remains an all-time fav.

I was living in Winston-Salem when they appeared. He told the story exactly the way it happened!

Smoked a lot of grass but I never touched nothing that my spirit would kill. Supergroup ❤

Impressive man...very well-spoken with appropriate humility. Appears to be a very well-balanced individual. Married to the same woman since 1966. If my calculations are correct, he's 71 here and looks and sounds amazing. I also want to give props to this interviewer...now this is how an interview is to be conducted in my opinion - very attentive, "tuned -in", but also very unobtrusive. An excellent interview overall...

@xyz2121

4 жыл бұрын

Your calculations are NOT correct. He was born in 1944 and this interview is from 2001, so he is 57 here not 71.

@trudywhitley6182

2 жыл бұрын

Good-looking 57 year old

John, you are my hero!

Love stepenwolf! This is the first time ever listening to John Kay talk and I'm blown away. He makes so much sense on so many subjects. What a cool man, I wish him the best!

This man is awsome and is so full of cool.👍♥️

I saw him in Detroit at the Michigan palace in about 1976 and it don’t get any better than that.

Hav always been a huge fan of John Kay & Steppenwolf..& so great 2 hear his comments on shows like this..& know of his impressive intelligence 🙂🙂☮☮✌✌💕💕

Possibly the coolest frontman of all times. Great new song for staying relevant!

I have the utmost respect and admiration for John Kay. His life story is amazing. Here's is a man who escaped from behind the iron curtain as a child. He and his mother made it over to America and John blossomed into the amazing man we see here. For a man whose first language was his native German, He speaks more eloquently than most people. I was an instant fan of John and Steppenwolf the first time I hear their music back in 1971. Been a fan ever since. I finally got to see John and Steppenwolf live in Atlantic City NJ and was blown away ay how great he still sounds. He a true legend.

"Heretics and Privateers," John Kay's solo album is very current now, as it was when he wrote it. Still playing the soundtrack of life. Working & thinking man's songwriter. Thank you, John.

What an amazing interview!!! Such a great musician!

"The Pusher", in the late 60s/early 70s, was the fastest way to get a Jr HS Principal on his feet and on the way to get the local band to NOT play it. There was a band that had a great prank, they'd play the beginning of "The Pusher" until he was nearly at the stage, where it suddenly became "Whipping Post", and at another dance, "Down By The River" by Neil Young. I remember at 13-14 snickering about the prank, but also how singing "God damn the pusher" was worse than "Down by the river/I shot my baby".

@sparkx251

Жыл бұрын

We live is some crazy interesting times...Your points sure do reflect that.

I've always been impressed, and equally baffled, by the sheer number of outstanding musicians who were born in the 40's, and subsequently brought us such fine music in the late 60's through the mid 70's. An age we'll most likely never see again, unfortunately.

Just didn’t know all this great music n talk existed! Thanks

Saw him back in 1996 while Kay was passin thru little ol Oconee County SC , on a one night stand in a teen dance hall . Got his signature . I got all his albums . One of the best . Dont step on the grass Sam ....

God bless you John Kay

met him at the agora club in dallas in '82. small venue about 200 people.he sat down at our table and drank a couple with us, really cool guy.

M Met John and his manager in Tulsa in 68' ..we were doing a set in the hotel where they were staying..when we came off a break we played "The Pusher" in his honor while he stood in the audience clapping..one of my favorite memories.

@aliceshue8567

4 жыл бұрын

Are you serious, now that's pretty cool, and it was in 68 , mmmm

@antarcticorb9197

3 жыл бұрын

What an honor!

No big ego with this man just says it as it was

@jg6698

Жыл бұрын

Oh, he's got a big ego. No problem with that. Some people who lack confidence put out a big ego front. John is very confident and sure of himself and his convictions. There is a difference

John Kay is impressive and very intelligent and articulate. Great interview

Thank you for including the aire date. Great singer, band, and at least three USA Anthem Songs; Born to be Wild Magic Carpet Ride and to a lesser extent but not a lesser song; Pusher Godamn!

Loved CCR, Steppenwolf, late Beatles, James Gang, Canned Heat, the Who, the Guess Who, Woodstock Hendrix 🎸

@gatoryak7332

5 жыл бұрын

Cool list. Which musicians do you love now?

@jessie9465

3 жыл бұрын

@@gatoryak7332 😂

Adapt, improvise and overcome. John Kay's life.

And still, I can not help but wonder why isn't Steppenwolf in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!?!?

@litedave

7 жыл бұрын

Agree!

@mariahmmm1845

7 жыл бұрын

Chuck 97B Because they didn't sell their soul to The devil.

@madeleinehague648

7 жыл бұрын

'Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Kiss is in, but not this band! !!

@t4texastomjohnnycat978

5 жыл бұрын

Chuck 97B No Link Wray, and no Steppenwolf. The Cleveland rocknroll hall of fame is a damn joke.🎸

@cinzsweet

5 жыл бұрын

and no Rory Gallagher

What a great man!

For my generation, John Kay was probably the biggest voice that was screaming fuck you to the man while he was relating to us. Last night I held Aladdin's lamp And so I wished that I could stay Before the thing could answer me Well, someone came and took the lamp away I looked around A lousy candle's all I found

@rojardakar1313

6 жыл бұрын

Joe Schmidt Love me some magic carpet ride.

I saw them in Evansville Indiana several years ago and was standing close to the stairs when the left the stage. As John was walking down I yelled and said I had been a fan for fifty years and he immediately turn and walked straight to me and shook my hand and thanked me. I always thought that was special.

@howardlyons4436

6 жыл бұрын

possum man

I have been listening to Steppenwolf from the time I was 15. I liked the music and liked the lyrics of what Steppenwolf was putting out back then. One of my friends in 69/70 gave me Steppenwolf Live, it was one of the best live performances that was around. I was drawn to Monster song. This was a song which condensed the History of America. It explained the story of the white man's journey through the times in America. I think mainly Christians led the way to the promised land of America. They came here to escape tyranny, and other corrupt laws of Europe. As the people who arrived in America, they wanted to have a country, with laws that were based on the Christian Bible. Our forefathers, created the United States Constitution. This was the laws of the Land. As years went by, the people of America got use to the life of freedom, and liberty which the Constitution allowed us and the Patriots of America where the most prosperous people on the planet. Some people who's belief was of a different kind, wanted to control the masses to their own greed. They were of a different belief. They would be called satanist today. The satanist or Deepstate or Central Banks, the Rothchilds. These people created a Central Bank called the Federal Reserve.Six elite bankers from the USA and Europe had a meeting on Jekyll Island and with Woodrow Wilson signature, created the Federal Reserve Act in to law ⚖. This was a system that taxed every dollar which, this dollar was used by the American people from 1971. The Central Banks (the Monster) are responsible for the Great Depression of 1929 and the Wars in America and the world. This tryanny has gone on for over a century in my life, and has gone on for thousand of years. John Kay and Jerry Edmonton wrote the lyrics for this masterpiece, Monsters. This was a song which is timeless and this song written 51 years ago has finally been answered in 2017 by the Trump Administration. The Trump Administration are putting the Deepstate on the Red Carpet. The Trump Administration and the Patriots of America and the world are now in control of the Central Banks. The Patriots of America, the Trump Administration and the White Hats are now in Control. We do care about Our Sons and Daughters.

@Harold710

2 жыл бұрын

Cut back on your coffee.

I've only recently learned John Kay is an amazing human being. That song there is spot on.

Damn. I give him so much credit, barely an accent and a very well spoken man. Kudos to you John

The performance of "Endless Commercial" is amazing 20:55

Me gusta todo lo relacionado con este hombre gracias x compartir!!

Thank God for the internet. Prior to such social vehicles as UTube, John Kay was as mysterious as Jim Morrison. Interesting fellow.

@monoped8437

3 жыл бұрын

not to those of us that were paying attention. bought all the solo stuff when it came out.

I met John Kay at a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1996. He was eating with a woman in a booth and I noticed him on my way out. I walked up to him very casually and yelled "Booooooorn to be wiiiiiiiiiild!" and it scared the crap out of him, but he laughed and shook my hand. Very cool guy! And, by the way - he was eating a chicken thigh with mashed potatoes and drinking a Diet Coke!

@alyssaartifex450

7 жыл бұрын

LOL XD

@MrMajar9

6 жыл бұрын

what an idiot you are...how old are you, actualy ?

@1badjesus

6 жыл бұрын

AccurateCrabLegs sounds like he responded nicely to a VERY RUDE and childish act. Are you 11?

@alyssaartifex450

6 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you two here in the comments are the childish ones, acting like assholes about this guy doing something lighthearted & innocuous. Its not like John got irritated & asked him to leave, but AccurateCrabLegs continued to bother him. That would have actually been rude & immature.

@MrMajar9

6 жыл бұрын

Alyssa Artifex - you know what I find quite immature in CrabLegs s comment ( besides the description of his own rude act ) ? That he thinks we would all be overthrown with him giving us an information about what EXACTLY ( including with a kind of drink He ( His Majesty, a Big Star ) chose to choose for that prtclr. meal..) - Mr. Kay had on his plate... WOOOOOW ! ( He should have become a jornalist..! ) . Instagram generation, may God s Grace save you !

Isn't it refreshing to listen to a rock singer who doesn't have to feel like he has to look stupid, act stupid, or talk stupid to be entertaining.

@BARKINGattheMOON100

4 жыл бұрын

jack plumber Yes but what about the syrup of figs.😂🤣😂

@ScottBowman10

3 жыл бұрын

He is a very intellegent man, he escaped from communist East Germany when he was 15

@MrAirAmerika

3 жыл бұрын

@@ScottBowman10 Listen to the video at 4:51...He was 5.

@ScottBowman10

3 жыл бұрын

@@MrAirAmerika Yeah I saw that, I read it a long time ago so I probably had things mixed up

What can I say? John Kay is a great human being and a delightful artist. I discovered this video while shuffling about and was thrilled and impressed by his wisdom and his humanity! I love this guy. Dennis C.

Incredible to think that English is a second language to this intelligent and erudite man....love ya, John!

I used to listen to the Pusher man and Rock me religiously. My favorite band for several years.

@baliscotsurf

4 жыл бұрын

written by Hoyt Axton

He is truly still a 1960s protest singer. Bravo John Kay! ;)

One cool guy, love his views.

Wow! That was terrific! A singer and a statesman! And how 'bout that intellect? John Kay - a rocker for all seasons!

John Kay is one cool dude; Steppenwolf is a tremendously under-rated band. The story about North Carolina Baptists and the "Pusher" is really great. I saw Steppenwolf at the Fillmore East back in '68-9, maybe '70...This is someone from my generation that I would love to have a few beers with. '60's cool?= free of pretension, smart, funny and self-deprecating, literate.

@darwingrose5555

7 жыл бұрын

Joseph O

@tommyhaynes9157

6 жыл бұрын

Underrated..how so...they are hugely well known and respected

@stinkyboboso9323

6 жыл бұрын

Steppenwolf is well known and respected so why aren't they in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? That's a disgrace!

@anonymusum

6 жыл бұрын

I wouldn´t say that. They are kinda forgotten, but I don´t know why - maybe because their songs are not Middle of the Road stuff.

@carrrexx7190

5 жыл бұрын

There is that word again, "underrated". What the hell you mean? They wrote some of the most recognized songs in contemporary music.

since I Was a child- jOHN KAY & Steppenwolf 50 years on !

This is one intelligent articulate dude.....love his music....love to hear him talk about his life experiences....top shelf lyricist......

@gerrynightingale9045

4 жыл бұрын

*Consider that he was educated until his early teens in Germany which then had a very intensive curriculum and plenty of 'peer pressure' to do well...it's no wonder he's so articulate in an adopted language...completely different from spoken German!* ( *It's a miracle he learned much of anything considering his poor eyesight which was getting progressively worse with the very poor diet available in East Germany...that was the principle reason she was desperate to 'go West'so he could have a proper diet and medical care* ) *I wonder when this was recorded, because Kay is ten-years-older than I am...and I'm 65 now...NOBODY could look like he does at 75!*

@silverfishimperetrix4818

4 жыл бұрын

@@gerrynightingale9045 The show was copyrighted in 2001 according to the end credits and such. Now we're all almost 20 years further along the road. That time sure does go by.

@gerrynightingale9045

4 жыл бұрын

*I had a fair idea this was made some years ago...but 20-years is like 'last month' to me...time ahead seems like 'nothing' and 'time passed may as well be the present'* ( *I still think 'the Fabs' are working on a new album at Abbey...I suffer from a complete emotional dis-connect of the concept 'The past is gone' because I don't care much for 'now'* )

@silverfishimperetrix4818

4 жыл бұрын

@@gerrynightingale9045 Well, I don't know what to tell you there. I'm very close to your age and miss what's gone (and of course my youth) just as much as you do, but denying it is self-defeating. Reality is a harsh mistress indeed, but I face her with a half-hearted smile - it's just the way it is.

@gerrynightingale9045

4 жыл бұрын

*I have no intention to 'facing reality' and if I were to 'wake-up dead' tomorrow I'm fine with it... as I would rather not become a 'wrecked & ruined shell' of my former self...65-years of endless frustration/bitterness/loneliness/disillusion/are more than ENOUGH for me* ( *My remaining teeth are so fucked I'll have to have them pulled soon...that's my 'reward' for being old and I don't care much for it...pretending 'Everything's just fuckin' ducky!' doesn't work well for me* ) *The woman I love did not find enough favor in her heart for me to say the words "I want you to stay" or "I wish you would stay" almost 25-years ago and it still HURTS every day...the fact that I was not 'the one' for her is something I cannot accept nor 'let go'...that's "just the way it is" for me*

When I saw him play this in Albuquerque in 1970, he played it on a guitar with a completely clear body--never saw one like it before or since.

@scottstores6801

4 жыл бұрын

Same here in 72. Jax, Florida

He's so underrated and left out of most of the "classic rock" conversations. They were bad ass & raw.

Steppenwolf was the first rock concert I attended here in Oklahoma City in 1968. I was 15 then and it blew me away. As far as songs go. "Monster" is my favorite. It started me on a path of being involved in politics as a fighter for the poor and needy.

@mmflynn1

5 жыл бұрын

I was also 15 when I first heard Monster and it is still my favorite as well. And what's really amazing is that Monster is still as relevant today as it was back in '69; maybe even more. I wonder what John thinks of Trump.

@mutatllib

5 жыл бұрын

John does not think much of establishment politicians democrats or republicans What he thinks of Trump I don’t no. But Trump is not an establishment politician I suspect he see good and bad

John is a super intelligent man!

Brilliant artist...always liked Steppenwolf. I like John Kay even more now that I've seen this video. Very introspective, very artistic man and band. Fantastic interview. So glad for him, his family and all of us who love Steppenwolf, that they made it out of Prussia/Germany and made it here so we could love and enjoy the wonderful music!!!!! God bless you, John. Keep on Rockin' it!!!!!!

Thanks for many years of great Music! Renegade, Monster, Snow Blind Friend, and many more favotites!

John is a great conversationalist ( Goddamm)

@spiderreed350

3 жыл бұрын

Big fan,big fan.John's the best!

My first musical hero, used to live about 30 minutes from him in Tennessee back in the nineties......sadly, never met the man

@Prone2Thrill

3 жыл бұрын

don't feel bad, my dad was IN THE BAND and I only met him a few times, I remeber his castle in the canyon and meeting his wife. Great interview - I am learning a lot still.

Great lyrics on that first song he did!!! Kind of reminds me of Dire Straits: Industrial Disease. "Born To Be Wild was used in the Star Trek movie "First Contact" when they were launching the first space vehicle with warp drive. "Don't Step On The Grass Sam" was my favorite of Steppenwolf's songs.

I AM LUCKY TO HAVE SEEN JOHN & STEPPENWOLF TWICE.

Bravo ⚘ John Kay 💕 an amazing journey of music, music is the journal of my life all my life.

Wow! Great song! Even more relevant in 2023.

Thank you for posting this. I've been a fan of Steppenwolf since their very early days, and have always wanted to see John Kay with his shades off. It doesn't surprise me at all to find out he's both intelligent and articulate.

That was a great interview and a great song by John all I can say is rock me baby rock me baby all night long