‘Born to Be Wild’ made the band Steppenwolf famous overnight and around the world. The song, synonymous with the cult film Easy Rider, became the anthem of a generation. His documentary traces their journey from their war-ravaged homeland to the streets of Toronto to the pinnacle of the music world.
This rock doc traces Steppenwolf’s journey from their Little Richard- and blues-inspired beginnings in Toronto to their rise as hard-rock pioneers. Despite initial industry skepticism, the band evolved to become top performers with hits like “Born to be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride.” The film explores their genesis and triumphs, and the personality clashes that led to their breakup. Featuring interviews with band members, their families, and icons like Alice Cooper, and Cameron Crowe, it’s a deep dive into the band’s fascinating story.
On the edge of mainstream and the psychedelic underground, their song "Born to Be Wild" opened the cult movie "Easy Rider" and became an anthem for an entire generation. Steppenwolf's sound descended upon the 60's music scene like a dagger in the heart of the summer of love: it is no coincidence that they were the very first band to use "Heavy Metal" in their lyrics. The origins of Steppenwolf's hard rock sound are told through the stories of charismatic lead singer John Kay, bass player Nick St. Nicholas, guitar player Michael Monarch, and songwriter Mars Bonfire.
Using exclusive, never-before-seen super 8 mm footage, deep-dive archives, and present-day scenes. Born to Be Wild: The Story of Steppenwolf takes us from war-torn Germany to the working-class streets of Toronto, and then to Los Angeles where the band rises and falls from fame.