Magic Carpet Ride: The Autobiography of John Kay and Steppenwolf

Rating:
Summary: From one who was there
Review: I knew these guys and EVERYONE in the band contributed to their success. This book is a piece of John Kay self serving fantasy. When John left the band in the late 70's to persue a solo career he tried, unsuccessfully at that time, to block the other members from performing under the name Steppenwolf. Why? They worked just as hard to make the band a success. They wrote many of the hits John takes credit for in his book and they contributed just as much to Steppenwolf's sound and unique style. When performing during this period the band was every bit as good without him as they ever were with him. Only when he realized that there were fans ($$) still out there and that there was still money to be made from the Steppenwolf name did he re-associate himself with the band. Nick St. Nicolas, Goldy McJohn et-al NEVER broke the faith with their thousands of loyal fans. Just recently Nick won a long legal battle over song rights unjustly clamed by John. John Kay is, and will always remain, his own biggest fan. This book is nothing more than a monument to a monumental ego.

Rating:
Summary: its never too late to start all over ..
Review: i really enjoyed this book.it told me many things i never knew about john kay,like the fact that he has never ridden a motorcycle because he is legally blind...yes it is written from his perspective but his version is a very important one.this book was an easy read and it kept me interested in it through out the whole thing.as a follow up to the book i watched the vh1
behind the music about steppenwolf which confirmed most of the things in the book..in my opinion i do think john should forgive the other guys or at least come to peace with it and them .we all do a lot of dumb things in life thats why we need friends to help us get back up again.i hope the wolf continues to rock much longer!its never too late to start all over again.

Rating:
Summary: From one who was there
Review: John Kay is the type of person whom we can all admire..His oddesy began in the scrap heap of post war Germany at his birth and lead through many twists of fate and planning to great wealth and fame as a trailblazing rock icon, only to see his integrity jeopardized by money seeking former band members trying to cash in on his good name.John rolled up his sleeves and got back the respectability that he deserves. John kay had a front row center seat during the most creative period of rock music. His vignettes about toking with Jimi Hendrix, sharing a bill with the Doors and life behind the scenes of the Ed Sullivan shows were fascinating..In the end the biography is about a man who has walked the walk, taken some tremendous hits but who has never given up or given in. Anyone interested in this golden age of music will read this book in 1 sitting...

Rating:
Summary: Steppenwolf Rides Again
Review: This is a must for die-hard Steppenwolf fans and I've been one since 1968 when my brother and I got their first album. This is an excellent book with no holds barred. John Kay and Einarsson has written a great book. There has been so much talk about the
legal battles after the bogus band appeared and wrecked the name of Steppenwolf in the eighties, but John Kay is frank and let all living past members come forward and tell their version.
Kay isn't holding things back from his personal life as well which makes it very interesting, especially when you know about his background. I've been fortunate enough to travel with the band on several tours in Germany, Denmark and Sweden and has always found John Kay and his fellow bandmenbers Michael Wilk, Ron Hurst and Danny Johnson and their crew to be nicest of
people. I only have one complaint about the book: It's too short!