Screening Date: Sun. Nov. 17, 2024
Time: 12:15pm
Venue: The Main Cinema
Cost: $15
Premiere Status: Midwest
Run Time/Year/Country: 88min, 2024, Canada & Gremany
Director: Oliver Schwehm

Steppenwolf is one of the most iconic and enigmatic bands in the history of rock music. 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.

Featuring Steppenwolf members John Kay, Nick St. Nicholas, Mars Bonfire, Michael Monarch; artists Alice Cooper, Taj Mahal, Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous), Klaus Meine (The Scorpions), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Dale Crover (The Melvins), Bob Ezrin (Producer: Kiss, Pink Floyd, Taylor Swift, amongst others).