Iron Butterfly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (February 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
| Iron Butterfly | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Diego, California United States |
| Genre(s) | Psychedelic rock, acid rock, heavy metal |
| Years active | 1966-1971 1974-1985 1987-present |
| Label(s) | ATCO, MCA |
| Associated acts | Rhinoceros, Captain Beyond, Magic, and Gold |
| Website | www.ironbutterfly.com |
| Members | |
| Ron Bushy Lee Dorman Charlie Marinkovich Martin Gerschwitz |
|
| Former members | |
| Doug Ingle Erik Brann Jerry Penrod Darryl DeLoach Danny Weis Philip Taylor Kramer Howard Reitzes Bill DeMartines Mike Pinera Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt Larry Rust |
|
Iron Butterfly is an American psychedelic rock and early heavy metal band, well known for their 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". They are considered an early heavy metal band as a result of this song and others like it, as well as the title of their debut album, Heavy. Their heyday was the late 1960s, but the band has been reincarnated several times with various members. VH1 ranks them as number 19 on their list of top 100 "one-hit" wonders.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The band was formed in 1966 in San Diego and released their debut album, Heavy, in 1968, after signing a deal with ATCO, an Atlantic Records subsidiary. The original members were Doug Ingle(vocals, keyboards), Jack Pinney(drums), Greg Willis(bass) and Danny Weis(guitar). They were soon joined by singer/frontman Darryl DeLoach.
Jerry "The Bear" Penrod and Bruce Morris replaced Willis and Pinney after the band relocated to Los Angeles in 1966 and Ron Bushy then came aboard when Morris' tenure proved to be a short one. All but Ingle and Bushy left the band after recording the first album in late 1967; the remaining musicians, faced with the possibility of the record not being released, quickly found replacements in bassist Lee Dorman and guitarist Erik Brann (aka Erik Braunn) and resumed touring.
Weis and Penrod almost immediately went on to form the group Rhinoceros.
The 17-minute "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", the title track of their second album, became a Top Thirty hit in the US. (Doug Ingle is reported to have said the title was an alcohol-slurred version of "In the Garden of Eden", although this is probably apocryphal; see the song's page.) The members when In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was recorded were Doug Ingle (keyboards and vocals), Lee Dorman (bass guitar), Ron Bushy (drums) and 17-year-old Erik Brann, also Braunn (guitar).
The band had been booked to play at Woodstock, but got stuck at an airport. When their manager called the promoters of the concert, they explained the incredible situation they had been dealt and asked for patience. However, the manager demanded that the Butterfly be flown in by helicopter whereupon they would "immediately" take the stage. After their set they would be paid and flown back to the airport. The manager was told that this would be taken into consideration and he would be called back. In truth, his outrageous demands were never given a second thought. Dorman later expressed regret at this turn of events feeling the band's career may have gone further had they played the festival.
The next album, Ball, topped the charts but more lineup changes followed. In 1970 with Erik Braunn gone, Iron Butterfly released their fourth album, Metamorphosis with two new members, guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Mike Pinera (whose Blues Image had opened for the Butterfly's Vida tour and who later led Ramatam and played with Alice Cooper) and guitarist Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt. The album only managed to get into the top twenty. The band broke up after playing a final show on May 23, 1971. Dorman and Reinhardt later became members of the supergroup Captain Beyond.
The band re-formed in 1974 with Ron Bushy and Eric Braunn joined by bassist Philip Taylor Kramer and keyboardist Howard Reitzes. (Kramer later made news with his 1995 disappearance and the discovery of his bones and minivan at the bottom of Decker Canyon in 1999). The albums released during this lineup: Scorching Beauty in January 1975 with Reitzes and Sun and Steel in October 1975 with Bill DeMartines replacing Reitzes.
From 1977 on Dorman took over the IB moniker and has led several lineups since then(see below for a chronology of IB's lineups) with former members(including Bushy, Ingle, Braunn, etc., coming and going). Other than another brief break between late 1985 and early 1987, the group has continued to this day with Dorman & Bushy currently leading the charge.
The famous line-up of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida got together for the Atlantic Recording Corporation's 40th anniversary concert and celebration, appearing on stage along with the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, and with Aretha Franklin among many other acts of the company's roster on May 14th, 1988. The reunited foursome also played a 30 city tour that same year.
On October 3, 2002, original guitarist/vocalist Darryl DeLoach died of liver cancer at the age of 56.
On July 25, 2003 Erik Brann died of cardiac failure at the age of 52. He was working on a new solo album at the time of his death. The album to date remains unreleased, although friends and family of Brann are working on seeing its release.
Iron Butterfly is now working on a new album that should be released in 2008.
[edit] Iron Butterfly Lineups
- 1966
- Doug Ingle(vocals, keyboards, gtr.), Danny Weiss(gtr.), Greg Willis(bass), Jack Pinney(drums)
- 1966
- Doug Ingle, Danny Weiss, Greg Willis, Jack Pinney, Darryl DeLoach(vocals, perc.)
- 1966
- Doug Ingle, Danny Weiss, Darryl DeLoach, Jerry Penrod(bass, backing vocals), Bruce Morris(drums)
- 1966-1967
- Doug Ingle, Danny Weiss, Darryl DeLoach, Jerry Penrod, Ron Bushy(drums, perc., backing vocals)
- 1967-1969
- Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, Erik Braunn(vocals, gtr.), Lee Dorman(vocals, bass)
- 1969-1971
- (group disbands after a farewell show on 5/23/71)Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Mike Pinera(vocals, gtr.), Larry "Rhino" Reinhart(gtr.)
- 1974-1975
- (reformation)Ron Bushy (drums, perc, backing vocals), Erik Braunn (vocals, gtr.), Philip Taylor Kramer (vocals, bass, keyboards), Howard Reitzes (vocals, keyboards)
- 1975-1977
- Ron Bushy, Erik Braunn, Philip Taylor Kramer, Bill DeMartines(vocals, keyboards)
- 1977-1978
- (Dorman takes over IB moniker touring, mostly in the Southern States)Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Jimi Henderson(vocals, David Love(gtr.), Larry Kirna(keyboards), Kevin Karamitros(drums)
- 1978
- Lee Dorman, Mike Pinera, Kevin Karamitros, John Leimsider(keyboards)
- 1978
- (In November through December 1978 this lineup tours in Germany. Since Dorman is tending to his ailing father back home, ex-Boxer bassist Keith Ellis is brought in. Dorman joins the tour later and both play, or Dorman just plays a cowbell)Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, Mike Pinera, Larry "Rhino" Reinhard, Lee Dorman, Keith Ellis(bassist Ellis tragically dies in Darmstadt, Germany on 12/6/78 after complications from alcohol over consumption and an infection caused by a tooth abscess. Dorman continues on bass after this)
- 1979
- (In February the band plays some homecoming gigs)Santa Monica Civic Aud. lineup:Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Mike Pinera, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Erik Braunn
- 1979
- Whiskey A Go Go Lineup:Doug Ingle, Lee Dorman, Mike Pinera, John Leimsider, Bobby Caldwell(drums, ex Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer and Captain Beyond)
- 1979
- Lee Dorman, Erik Braunn, John Leimsider, Bobby Caldwell
- 1979
- Lee Dorman, Erik Braunn, Mike Pinera, Bobby Caldwell, Nathan Pino(keyboards)
- 1980
- Lee Dorman, Erik Braunn, Bobby Hasbrook(vocals, gtr.), Tom Kislan(keyboards), Sam Johnson(drums), Starz Vanderlocket(vocals, perc.)
- 1981-1982
- Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, John Leimsider, Randy Skirvin (rhythm guitar), + drummer + percussionist.
- 1982
- (In 1982 and 1983 Mike Pinera's band plays at several CA clubs including The Beach Ball sometimes under the IB name)Mike Pinera, Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Guy Babylon(keyboards-His first gig with IB was at Palomino station in Riverside, CA), Jan Uvena(drums)
- 1982
- (On July 31st, 1982 the following lineup goes into Music Sound Connection Studio in Studio City, CA to record some material none of which is released)Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Mike Pinera, Guy Babylon
- 1982
- (Ventura County Fair in December 1982. This lineup also played the Hollywood Palladium on 12/11/82 with Braunn joining them only to play "Vida")Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy(partial set only), Lee Dorman, Erik Braunn, Mike Pinera, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Guy Babylon, John Shearer(drums), Luke(perc)
- 1982
- (December of 1982-1983)Doug Ingle, Lee Dorman, Mike Pinera, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Guy Babylon, John Shearer, Luke
- 1983
- Doug Ingle, Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino Reinhardt, Guy Babylon, John Shearer, Luke
- 1983
- (Another recording session occurs in Sept. A few songs are worked on. Once again nothing is released)Doug Ingle, Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Guy Babylon(later in Elton John's band), John Shearer, Jerry Sommers(drums, perc.)
- 1983-1984
- (The Wings Of Flight Tour in 1984)Doug Ingle, Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Rick Rotante(drums)
- 1984
- (More recording done at Salty Dog Studios in Van Nuys, CA)Doug Ingle, Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Lenny Campanero(drums, ex Badfinger)
- 1984-1985
- (This lineup participates in the late '84 Legends Tour)Doug Ingle, Lee Dorman, Lenny Campanero, Steve Fister(gtr., backing vocals)
- 1985;(This lineup's tour in October/November is called the Phoenix
Tour. After Kurtis Teal dies on December 2nd the group disbands once again due to managerial problems)Doug Ingle, Lenny Campanero, Steve Fister(later in Steppenwolf 1993-1996), Kurtis Teal(dies after heart murmur)
- 1987
- (Bushy, who has been working in sales at Makita Tools, takes up the torch and reforms the band with Pinera. Dorman was reportedly captaining a fishing boat during this period.)
Ron Bushy, Mike Pinera, Kelly Reubens(bass), Tim Von Hoffman(kybds)
- 1987
- Ron Bushy, Mike Pinera, Kelly Reubens, Ace Baker(kybds)
- 1987
- Mike Pinera, Kelly Reubens, Ace Baker, Donny Vosburg(came into sub for Bushy on shows he couldn't make)
- 1987
- (This Braunn led lineup never got beyond the planning stages in August 1987)Erik Braunn, Sal Rodriguez(drums), Jim Von Buelow(gtr)
- 1987
- (This lineup rehearsed in September 1987 but never played any shows)Ron Bushy, Bill DeMartines(yes, the same guy from 1975-77!), Doug Jackson(gtr.), Bob Birch(bass)
- 1987
- Ron Bushy(drums), Mike Pinera(vocals, guitars), Glen Rappold(guitars, alternate bass, vocals), Kelly Reubens(bass), Tim Von Hoffman(keyboards)
- 1987-1988
- (AND, AT LAST! The Vida/Ball lineup reforms to tour and winds up with a performance at The Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Show on 5/14/88 where they play 'Vida and receive a STANDING OVATION!)Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Erik Braunn
- 1988
- (Attempt to continue after the Vida reunion tour. This lineup
played no gigs)Lee Dorman, Erik Braunn, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Sal Rodriguez
- 1988-1989
- (This grouping toured Europe in the Spring of 1989. They
appeared at the 20th Anniversary of Woodstock Show. Two backup singers, Joanne Montana and Cecelia Noel were used at at least one show in Dominiguez Hills, CA. There was another unknown drummer that filled in for Saurez on a show or two)Lee Dorman, Erik Braunn, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Steve (Mick) Feldman(vocals), Kenny Saurez(drums, percussion)
- 1990
- Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Derek Hilland, Steve Feldman, Kenny Saurez
- 1990-1992
- Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Derek Hilland, Kenny Saurez, Robert Tepper vocals)
- 1993
- Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, Burt Diaz(keyboards)
- 1993-1994
- Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Derek Hilland, Mike Pinera, Doug Bossey(joined in 1994 since Pinera had commitments to his other group Classic Rock All Stars)
- 1994-1995
- Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Doug Bossey, Derek Hilland
- 1995-1997
- Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Erik Barnett, Derek Hilland(left in August 1997 to join Whitesnake. He went on to play with Rick Springfield)
- 1997-1999
- Doug Ingle(Doug left again in early 1999 to tend to his mother), Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Eric Barnett
- 1999
- Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Eric Barnett, Damian Bujanda(vocals, keyboards)
- 1999-2002
- Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman(Oly, their soundman, filled in for Lee in 2001 when he was sidelined with a heart ailment), Eric Barnett, Larry Rust(vocals, keyboards)
- 2002-2003
- Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, Larry Rust(left briefly in 2003 but returned. Derek Hilland filled in on one show in '03), Charlie Marinkovich(vocals, gtr.)
- 2003-2005
- Ron Bushy(drums), Lee Dorman(vocals, bass), Charlie Marinkovich(vocals, gtr.), Larry Rust(vocals, keyboards)
- 2005-2006
- Ron Bushy(drums), Lee Dorman(vocals, bass), Charlie Marinkovich(vocals, gtr.), Martin Gerschwitz(vocals, keyboards)
- 2006-Present
- Ron Bushy(drums), Lee Dorman(vocals, bass), Charlie Marinkovich(vocals, gtr.), Martin Gerschwitz(keyboards), Ken Conlinpnik(bass, fill in for Dorman in 2006), Dave Meros(bass, fill in for Dorman in 2006)
[edit] Trivia
 |
Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- Led Zeppelin opened for Iron Butterfly. A year to the day later Iron Butterfly opened for Led Zeppelin. The ironic twist continued with the band Yes, members of which are friends of drummer Ron Bushy. Jimmy Page has been quoted as saying Led Zeppelin's name shares a "light/heavy" dynamic with Iron Butterfly's.
- When Iron Butterfly reformed in 1968 after a brief split, musicians rumored to have been interested in joining as lead guitarist include Neil Young, Jeff Beck, and Michael Monarch. Doug Ingle and Ron Bushy eventually decided upon Erik Brann.
- In an episode of the Simpsons (Season 7 episode 4: Bart Sells His Soul), Bart plays a prank by substituting the church hymnal with "In the Garden of Eden" ("In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida") by "I. Ron. Butterfly".
- The sales of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" were so tremendous that the Gold award was meaningless, having been surpassed more than 20 times over. The Platinum award was created by Ahmet Ertegun, President of Atlantic Records, to address the unprecedented new level set by this album.
- "In-a-Gadda-da-vida" was used in an episode of Home Improvement.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Heavy (1968) US #78, Certified Gold
- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968) US #4, Certified 4x Platinum
- Soundtrack to the Savage 7 (1968)
- Ball (1969) US #1, Certified Gold
- Live (1970) US #20, UK #9
- Metamorphosis (1970) US#16
- Evolution: The Best of Iron Butterfly (1971)
- Star Collection (1973)
- Scorching Beauty (1975) US #138
- Sun and Steel (1976) US Failed To Chart
- Rare Flight (1988)
- Light & Heavy: The Best of Iron Butterfly (1993)
- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Deluxe Edition (1995)
- TBA
[edit] Bootlegs
- Live At The Galaxy Club 1967 (1967)
- Live 11/27/1968 (1968)
- Stone Believer: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark (Jan. 25, 1971)
- Live in Germany: 4/18/1997 (1997)
- Live at the Firwood in Fife, WA (2001)
- Live in Butler, PA - 2/4/2006 (2006)
[edit] Singles
Here is a full listing of 45's released by the band in the USA and Overseas.
- Don't Look Down On Me b/w Possession
- Possession b/w Evil Temptation
- EP: Iron Butterfly Theme b/w Look For The Sun AND Possession
- Unconscious Power b/w Possession
- RADIO EP: Iron Butterfly Theme, Possession/Get Out Of My Life Woman, Unconscious Power
- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (2:52 edit) b/w Iron Butterfly Theme (3:25 Edit)
- EP: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida & Flowers & Beads/My Mirage
- Soul Experience b/w In The Crowds
- In The Time Of Our Lives b/w It Must Be Love (Some have the full 4:47 album version of the A-Side, others the 3:15 edit)
- Easy Rider b/w Soldier In Our Town
- New Day b/w Soldier In Our Town (European Release)
- Silly Sally b/w Stone Believer
- Silly Sally b/w Talkbox Solo from Butterfly Bleu (B-Side is the talkbox section from the song) (European Release)
- Shady Lady b/w Best Years Of Our Lives (European Release)
- Pearly Gates b/w Searchin' Circles (Both songs heavily edited)
- High On A Mountain Top b/w Am I Down (Promos exist only)
- Beyond The Milky Way b/w Get It Out
- I'm Right I'm Wrong (3:50 Edit) b/w Free (Promo copies exist only)
- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (2:52 Edit) b/w Soul Experience (Atlantic Oldies re-release)
- Thai EP: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (The song plays from the beginning and fades just before the drum solo) b/w Get Ready (Rare Earth)
[edit] Videography
VHS VIDEO:
- Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (Rhino Home Video, R3-2215) 1995
(Contains video performances of Easy Rider (3:21), In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (17:03) & Butterfly Blue (19:51)
