John Kay and Steppenwolf is a Canadian-American rock band formed in 1967, led by lead vocalist and guitarist John Kay. The band is best known for their hit songs "Born to be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride," both of which are considered to be classic rock anthems. John Kay was born on April 12, 1944, in Tilsit, East Prussia (now Svetly, Russia). He moved to Canada as a child and later settled in California, where he formed Steppenwolf with keyboardist Goldy McJohn, drummer Jerry Edmonton, guitarist Michael Monarch, and bassist Rushton Moreve. The band released their first album, "Steppenwolf," in 1968, which included the hit single "Born to be Wild." The song's opening line, "Get your motor running, head out on the highway," became a catchphrase for the counterculture movement of the time. The band's second album, "The Second," released later that year, included the hit "Magic Carpet Ride." John Kay and Steppenwolf continued to release albums throughout the 1970s, with a mix of rock, blues, and folk influences. In addition to his work with the band, Kay has also released several solo albums and has continued to tour and perform with various lineups of Steppenwolf. John Kay and Steppenwolf have been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood RockWalk. Their music has been featured in numerous films, including "Easy Rider" and "Star Trek: First Contact."