Rock flashback: Steppenwolf and Foghat at Fraze

Outdoor venues, such as Fraze Pavilion, are summer havens for acts from the 1960s and ’70s. This summer alone, the Fraze will host more than a dozen performers fitting that bill.

The latest installment on Saturday, Aug. 8, offers a pair of longtime favorites — John Kay and Steppenwolf, and Foghat. While both acts enjoyed their heyday decades ago, the popularity of each groups’ biggest hits has never diminished thanks to classic rock radio and Hollywood. Here’s a quick breakdown of the current lineups and their original incarnations along with a few career highlights.

Steppenwolf

Origin: John Kay formed Steppenwolf in Los Angeles in 1967 after leaving Canadian band, The Sparrow.

Debut album: Steppenwolf's self-titled debut was released by ABC-Dunhill in 1968.

Original lineup: John Kay (vocals), Michael Monarch (guitar), Rushton Moreve (bass), Goldy McJohn (keyboards) and Jerry Edmonton (bass).

Current crew: Steppenwolf circa 2009 features John Kay (vocals), the sole founding member, with Michael Wilk (keyboards, bass), Ron Hurst (drums) and Danny Johnson (guitar).

Classic movie moment: The songs "Born to Be Wild" and "The Pusher" became instant pop culture phenomena when they were featured prominently in the counterculture classic, "Easy Rider."

Indelible hits: "Born to Be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride" have never gone out of style and are still used in commercials, television programs and cartoons to convey a nonconformist attitude.

Video games: Although still not featured in the popular "Rock Band" video series, "Born to Be Wild" was included on the precursor game, "Karaoke Revolution Volume 2."

Foghat

Origin: Lonesome Dave Peverett formed Foghat in London in 1971 after leaving Savoy Brown.

Debut album: Foghat's self-titled debut was released by American label Bearsville Records in 1972.

Original lineup: Lonesome Dave Peverett (vocals, guitar), Rod Price (lead guitar), Tony Stevens (bass) and Roger Earl (drums).

Current crew: Roger Earl (drums), the only original member, along with Charlie Huhn (vocals, guitar), Bryan Bassett (guitar) and Craig MacGregor (bass).

Classic movie moment: The 1981 Sylvester Stallone action flick "Nighthawks" featured most of the songs from the group's classic LP, "Foghat Live."

Indelible hits: "Slow Ride and the live version of "I Want to Make Love to You" have been utilized frequently in films and television programs as the musical backdrop for '70s stoner culture.

Video games: "Slow Ride" was featured in the video games "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" and "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock."

CONTACT contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.

How to go

Who: John Kay & Steppenwolf, and Foghat

Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8

Cost: $30 lawn/terrace, $40 orchestra

For more information: (937) 296-3300 or www.fraze.com

In Other News

Taylor Swift Eras Tour tribute to energize final week of Arts Festival

David Shaw’s Big River Get Down has 33 artists on the bill: What to...

The Legends of Springfield perform with symphony orchestra this weekend