10 Most Underrated Hard Rock Frontmen

8. John Kay - Steppenwolf

In the late ‘60s, hard rock was not a fully fleshed-out idea yet. For as much as bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin were bringing a heavier side of rock to the table, there was no real plan for how everything was going to unfold. As the tides were changing, Steppenwolf were one of the first to cultivate that heavy sound properly.

Songs like “Magic Carpet Ride” and “Born to Be Wild” ended up serving as the blueprints for many American bands, but they wouldn’t have crossed over if not for John Kay up front. Striking the intimidating presence with his biker gear and dark shades, Kay used his songs as an opportunity to really assert his vision, verbally beating up his audience until they were in an absolute frenzy.

Many people also forget that the band’s trademark tune “Born to Be Wild” also features the phrase “heavy metal thunder,” which marked the first time any type of hard rock had been described like that. While most of the more extravagant rock stars of the day were expanding their songs into 10-minute long exercises, John Kay was the epitome of no-BS hard rock that left you battered and bruised by the end.