On this day June 14th in 1968 Iron Butterfly released their album “In-A Gadda-Da-Vida.” The album would reach #4 on the album charts and an edited version of the title sound would peak at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album cut “In- A- Gadda–Da- Vida” was seventeen minutes long- the edited single clocked in at only 2: 52. This song would be Iron Butterfly’s claim to fame. The members of this San Diego band at the time were- Doug Ingle on vocals and organ, Lee Dorman on bass, Ron Busky on drums and Eri Brann on guitar and vocals. Over the years there have been sixty-four members who have come and gone. They only released five studio albums in their career. To me the song and album are a postcard from 1968- and I don’t think either has aged very well. To give Iron Butterfly their due- they were an important band in the early development of heavy metal music. Their time though came and went like the Nehru suit jacket.
and every drummer that year had to do the solo.
I have always loved this album — not only the title track but all of the shorter songs also. I must admit that I am in the minority though — most people that I meet think this band is terrible!