Michael Monarch (born July 5, 1950) is an American guitarist. He is best known for his work with the band Steppenwolf. Monarch was born in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. As the original lead guitarist with Steppenwolf (1967 through most of 1969), ("Guitarist Monarch exited in 1969, replaced first by Larry Byrom and subsequently by Kent Henry.") he played on all their hits, including " Born to Be Wild", " Magic Carpet Ride", and " Rock Me", all while still a teenager. He also played on

Janis Joplin Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American singer and songwriter. One of the most iconic and successful Rock music, rock performers of her era, she was noted for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and her "electric" ...

's album ''

I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama! ''I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!'' is the debut solo and third studio album overall by American singer-songwriter Janis Joplin, released on September 11, 1969, by Columbia Records. It was the first album which Joplin recorded after leavin ...

'' and was a member of the Michael Des Barres-fronted band

Detective A detective is an investigator, usually a member of a law enforcement agency. They often collect information to solve crimes by talking to witnesses and informants, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases. This leads the ...

. Monarch also worked with

Roger Glover Roger David Glover (born 30 November 1945) is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as a member of the hard rock bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. As a member of Deep Purple, Glover was inducted into the Rock and Roll ...

Deep Purple Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal music, heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has varied throughout their career. Originally for ...

, Andy Fraser of Free,

Chris Hillman Christopher Hillman (born December 4, 1944) is an American musician. He was the original bassist of the Byrds. With frequent collaborator Gram Parsons, Hillman was a key figure in the development of country rock, defining the genre through his w ...

The Byrds The Byrds () were an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) being the so ...

and numerous others. Monarch performs with other 1960s and 1970s rock musicians in the supergroup World Classic Rockers and locally in Florida as "Michael Monarch - an evening of music and conversation".

Discography

* Steppenwolf - '' Steppenwolf'' (1968, Dunhill) U.S. #6, U.K. #59, certified gold * Steppenwolf - '' The Second'' (1968, Dunhill) U.S. #3, certified gold * Steppenwolf - '' At Your Birthday Party'' (1969, Dunhill) U.S. #7, certified gold *

- ''

'' (1969, Columbia) U.S. #5, certified platinum — uncredited * Hokus Pokus - ''Hokus Pokus'' (1972, Romar) *

- ''Detective'' (1977,

Swan Song The swan song (; ) is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement. The phrase refers to an ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song just before their death while they have been ...

) * Detective - ''It Takes One to Know One'' (1977, Swan Song) * Detective - ''Live from the Atlantic Studios'' (1978, Swan Song) * Michael Monarch - ''It Feels So Real'' (2001, MSR) * Michael Monarch - ''Guitar Bazaar'' (2001, MSR) * Michael Monarch - ''The Other Side of the Tracks'' (2002, MSR) * Michael Monarch - ''MM3'' (2006, MSR) * Peyton-Monarch - Lonesome Highway (2021, MSR) * Michael Monarch - Playtime (2025, MSR)

References

External links

* 1950 births Living people American rock guitarists American male guitarists Lead guitarists Steppenwolf (band) members Guitarists from Los Angeles 20th-century American guitarists World Classic Rockers members {{US-rock-guitarist-stub