Iron Butterfly could have been an undescript acid rock band from the drug-dazed days of 1960s California were it not for two things. The band, formed in San Diego in 1966 (later moved to Los Angeles) called its first album Heavy and then proceeded to record a 17-minute track called In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Iron Butterfly was not only revered for years to come by heavy metal fans the world over; also the band’s ultimate cult status was sealed forever more.
The band’s early line-up featured Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, singer Darryl De Loach, guitarist Dan Weiss and bassist Jerry Penrod. By the time 1968 rolled around the band featured Brann and bassist Dorman. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida went on to sell five million albums and was reportedly the first album ever to go platinum, but diminishing sales for follow-up albums lead to line-up changes and defections. Most importantly, Brann was replaced on vocals by Mike Pinera.
Iron Butterfly would flutter away in 1971 only to reform in 1975 with Bushy and Brann recruiting newer fellow members. Scorching Beauty and Sun And Steel were deemed as weak albums and Iron Butterfly disbanded. There are reports of tours in 1979 and 1989 in the USA. A video was issued in 1996. The band definitely reformed in 2004 as a touring act! A new video was also announced for 2006.
The band contributed music to the films The Savage Seven, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Nightmare On Elm Street. Iron Butterfly was invited to play Woodstock, but could not make it due to flight delays.