The band was formed in 1966 in San Diego, and they released their aforementioned debut album, 'Heavy', in 1968, after signing a deal with an Atlantic Records subsidiary called ATCO. The original members were Doug Ingle (vocals, keyboards), Jack Pinney (drums), Greg Willis (bass), and Danny Weis (guitar). They were soon joined by singer-songwriter frontman Darryl DeLoach.
Jerry "The Bear" Penrod and Bruce Morris replaced Willis and Pinney after the band relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1966, and Ron Bushy then came aboard when Morris' tenure proved to be a short one. All but Ingle and Bushy left the band after recording the first album in late 1967; the remaining musicians, faced with the possibility of the record not being released, quickly found replacements in bassist Lee Dorman and guitarist Erik Brann (aka Erik Braunn) and resumed touring.
Weis and Penrod almost immediately went on to form the group Rhinoceros. Iron Butterfly focused on putting their energies into their second album. The 17-minute "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", the title track of their second album, became a Top Thirty hit in the U.S. and also gained serious airplay internationally. Doug Ingle is reported to have said the title was an alcohol-slurred version of "In the Garden of Eden", although this is possibly apocryphal. The members when In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was recorded were Doug Ingle (keyboards and vocals), Lee Dorman (bass guitar), Ron Bushy (drums) and 17-year-old Erik Brann, also Braunn (guitar). The song has been a radio staple for decades and also has prominently featured in several films.
The band had been booked to play at Woodstock, but got stuck at an airport. When their manager called the promoters of the concert, they explained the incredible situation they had been dealt and asked for patience. However, the manager demanded that the Butterfly be flown in by helicopter whereupon they would "immediately" take the stage. After their set they would be paid and flown back to the airport. The manager was told that this would be taken into consideration and he would be called back. In truth, his outrageous demands were never given a second thought. Dorman later expressed regret at this turn of events feeling the band's career may have gone further had they played the festival.
The next album, Ball, topped the charts but more lineup changes followed. In 1970 with Erik Braunn gone, Iron Butterfly released their fourth album, Metamorphosis with two new members, guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Mike Pinera (whose Blues Image had opened for the Butterfly's Vida tour and who later led Ramatam and played with Alice Cooper) and guitarist Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt. The album only managed to get into the top twenty. The band broke up after playing a final show on May 23, 1971. Dorman and Reinhardt later became members of the supergroup Captain Beyond.
The band re-formed in 1974 with Ron Bushy and Eric Braunn joined by bassist Philip Taylor Kramer and keyboardist Howard Reitzes. (Kramer later made news with his 1995 disappearance and the discovery of his bones and minivan at the bottom of Decker Canyon in 1999). The albums released during this lineup: Scorching Beauty in January 1975 with Reitzes and Sun and Steel in October 1975 with Bill DeMartines replacing Reitzes.
From 1977 on Dorman took over the IB moniker and has led several lineups since then(see below for a chronology of IB's lineups) with former members(including Bushy, Ingle, Braunn, etc., coming and going). Other than another brief break between late 1985 and early 1987, the group has continued to this day with Dorman & Bushy currently leading the charge.
The famous line-up of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida got together for the Atlantic Recording Corporation's 40th anniversary concert and celebration, appearing on stage along with the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, and with Aretha Franklin among many other acts of the company's roster on May 14th, 1988. The reunited foursome also played a 30 city tour that same year.
On October 3, 2002, original guitarist/vocalist Darryl DeLoach died of liver cancer at the age of 56.
On July 25, 2003 Erik Brann died of cardiac failure at the age of 52. He was working on a new solo album at the time of his death. The album to date remains unreleased, although friends and family of Brann are working on seeing its release.
Iron Butterfly is now working on a new album.
Best Years of Our Life
Iron Butterfly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we were children remember what it's like
To bring back memories of the good things we once knew
To be right, there's so much we gotta do
C'mon lift that heavy load of your shoulder
There's many people like you and me
That feel like there's a better place to be
Better leave, it's time to go now
Better leave, forget you sorrows
Come along, people get ready for
Good time, head for tomorrow, pack up your bag
Here they come, coming to take a ride
When we were soft as light
Those were the best years of our life
When we laughed as life went by
Those were the best years of our lives
Best years its time to go now
Good times forget you sorrows
Best years you better believe me baby, sunshine
Summertime and the midnight morning
Feeling like a school child
The song "Best Years of Our Life" by Iron Butterfly is a nostalgic look at childhood and the freedom and innocence that come with it. The lyrics evoke memories of carefree times spent playing with friends, laughing, and enjoying life. It begins with the singer reflecting on how childhood was the "best years of our life" and how remembering those times can bring back good memories. The chorus encourages the listener to leave their worries behind and join in on a journey towards a better future.
The second verse seems to suggest that there are people who are also looking for a better place to be, and that collectively they can help each other carry the burdens they face. The song encourages us to pack up our bags and leave behind our sorrows and worries, and to get ready for the good times ahead.
The final verse continues the theme of nostalgia, calling to mind the lazy days of summer and the feeling of freedom that comes with it. The singer reminisces about the days when they were "soft as light," and life was simple and carefree. The song ends with a call to believe in a brighter future and to embrace the sunshine.
Overall, "Best Years of Our Life" is a reflective and uplifting song that encourages us to remember the good times and look towards a brighter future. It speaks to the universal desire for happiness and the belief that despite life's challenges, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the best years of our life
The times when we were young and carefree are considered the best of our lives.
When we were children remember what it's like
We should remember what it was like to be a child and appreciate the good memories we have from that time.
To bring back memories of good things we once knew
We should focus on reminiscing about the good things we experienced in our youth.
To be right, there’s so much we gotta do
In order to feel fulfilled and content in our lives, we must take action and work towards our goals.
C'mon lift that heavy load of your shoulder
Let go of any emotional baggage that is weighing you down.
There's many people like you and me
There are others who share similar struggles and experiences as us.
That feel like there's a better place to be
Many people yearn for a better life, filled with happiness and peace.
Better leave, it's time to go now
It's time to move on from the things that have been holding you back.
Better leave, forget your sorrows
Leave your problems behind and focus on the positive things in your life.
Come along, people get ready for
Take action and prepare for a better future.
Good time, head for tomorrow, pack up your bag
Make the most of the opportunities that come your way and prepare for a better tomorrow.
Here they come, coming to take a ride
Embrace the changes and opportunities that are coming your way.
When we were soft as light
When we were young and innocent.
Those were the best years of our life
We often look back to our youth as the best years of our lives.
When we laughed as life went by
The carefree times of our youth when we enjoyed life to the fullest.
Best years, it's time to go now
It's time to move on from the past and embrace a new chapter in our lives.
Good times, forget your sorrows
Focus on the positive times ahead and let go of past troubles.
Best years, you better believe me baby, sunshine
The best years of our lives are ahead of us, filled with happiness and positivity.
Summertime and the midnight morning
A reference to a carefree summer night.
Feeling like a school child
Feeling young and carefree, like a child.
Contributed by Dominic G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.