Rockstar to Wildlife Advocate with John Kay of Steppenwolf

Rockstar to Wildlife Advocate with John Kay of Steppenwolf

From Rock Star to Wildlife Advocate is hosted by John Kay of Steppenwolf. You haven’t heard of Steppenwolf? Well, maybe the iconic songs, “Born to Be Wild,” “Magic Carpet Ride” and “The Pusher” ring a bell. John Kay is the vocalist and primary songwriter of Steppenwolf, one of the world’s foremost rock n’ roll bands. John Kay tells his personal story in his podcast, from the birth of Steppenwolf to how he became a champion of wildlife. Each episode features tales from John's life. He was born in East Prussia, which no longer exists. He shares anecdotes from the tribulations and triumphs of Steppenwolf. Also in the mix are travelogues of journeys to fascinating places, where defenders of wildlife risk their lives to protect our planet's living treasures. These heroes inspired John and his spouse Jutta to create the Maue Kay Foundation, which now supports over a dozen non-governmental organizations and wildlife guardians around the world. So whether you’re a classic rock fan, an animal lover with a passion for wildlife or if you simply enjoy interesting stories, From Rock Star to Wildlife Advocate is your kind of podcast. A Maue Kay Foundation original production.

Episodes

January 17, 2025 29 mins

In 1948 at age 4, Mother & I escape from Communism. At age 9, In West Germany, I become politicized and later become obsessed with Rock’n Roll. In Toronto, by age 14, I’m deemed ‘legally blind’ and become a High School ‘Drop In’ and bootlegger. I discover Ronnie Hawkins and his great band the Hawks (who later became simply “The Band”) and in 1963, while in Buffalo, I begin performing Folk Music and Blues in Coffee Houses. That ...

Mark as Played

It's 1964, I'm playing "The New Balladeer" in West LA with Taj Mahal, David Crosby & others, At "The Troubadour" in West Hollywood I learn "The Pusher" from Hoyt Axton, see the great "T-bone Walker" and meet "Mr Tambourine Man". After hitchhiking from LA to Toronto I wind up playing "The Half Beat", one of 17 clubs in Yorkville Village, and there jam with "The Sparrows". I hitch to the Newport Folk Festival in Rode Island, see ...

Mark as Played

It's Oct 1965 and the clubs in Toronto's Yorkville Village are buzzing with bands like The Sparrows and The Mynah Birds with Rick James and Neil Young,...yes, you read that right. I meet the love of my life, Jutta, at a Sparrows gig, follow her home and move in with her. Lonnie Johnson, renowned blues / jazz guitarist, shares a little musical history with me before The Sparrows get a record deal in NYC and move to Manhatten in earl...

Mark as Played

With not a penny to my name, it’s Jutta & The Pink Pussycat to the rescue. Music Moguls are no help, enter Gabriel Mekler, just in time. Garage band music brings the LAPD, but a cassette with “Born to be wild” sounds promising. The Demo session that almost wasn’t….thanks to the LAPD…spawns the name “Steppenwolf”. Dunhill Records takes a chance with ‘The Wolf’. Then it’s ‘Good bye’ Western and “Hello” American Recorders and a fi...

Mark as Played

Magic Carpet Ride is number 2, but one of us is missing in action. “Steppenwolf The Second” is just released but Dunhill already wants the next LP, so it’s back into the studio. “Candy,” with Marlon Brando & Richard Burton, becomes the first film featuring Wolf music: “Magic Carpet Ride” and “Rock Me.” There’s a new - old player in the band, the “At your Birthday Party” LP is coming along and we’re treated like Rockstars….even ...

Mark as Played

1969: We make it home for Christmas… and a 13 ft delight. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand “Tribute to Steppenwolf” kicks off 1970. Our “Concert for Peace” becomes the “Steppenwolf Live” LP, but we part ways with Gabriel. An evening backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, Jimmy Buffet’s review of our Nashville concert and a Sunday afternoon at Johnny Cash & June Carter’s home. Monster and more at Playboy After Dark and Bunny Ears at th...

Mark as Played

Rockstar to Wildlife Advocate is hosted by John Kay of Steppenwolf. You haven’t heard of Steppenwolf? Well, maybe the iconic songs, “Born to Be Wild,” “Magic Carpet Ride” and “The Pusher” ring a bell. John Kay is the vocalist and primary songwriter of Steppenwolf, one of the world’s foremost rock n’ roll bands. John Kay tells his personal story in his podcast, from the birth of Steppenwolf to how he became a champion of wildlife. E...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Latino USA

    Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.