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.
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you know that I'm lovin' you
In a gadda da vida, baby
Don't you know that I'll always be true
Oh, won't you come with me
And take my hand
Oh, won't you come with me
Please take my hand
In a gadda da vida, honey
Don't you know that I'm lovin' you
In a gadda da vida, baby
Don't you know that I'll always be true
Oh, won't you come with me
And take my hand
Oh, won't you come with me
And walk this land
Please take my hand
The lyrics to Iron Butterfly's song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida are simple and repetitive, yet they convey a sense of longing and urgency. The title itself is a misheard version of "In the Garden of Eden," and it's likely that the lyrics were inspired by the biblical story of Adam and Eve.
The singer is calling out to a woman, asking her to come with him and take his hand. He professes his love for her and promises to always be true. The repetition of "In a gadda da vida" suggests that the singer is caught up in a moment of intense passion and desire for this woman.
The song is often remembered for its 17-minute long psychedelic instrumental section, which includes an extended drum solo and distorted guitar riffs. This section reflects the free-spirited and experimental nature of the 1960s counterculture movement.
Overall, the lyrics to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida may not be particularly complex, but they capture a moment of intense emotion and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
In a gadda da vida, honey
In a deep and unrecognizable state, my dear
Don't you know that I'm lovin' you
I am expressing my love towards you
In a gadda da vida, baby
In a deep and unrecognizable state, my love
Don't you know that I'll always be true
My fidelity towards you is steadfast and unwavering
Oh, won't you come with me
Can't you join me in this venture
And take my hand
And allow me to guide you through it
Oh, won't you come with me
Can't you join me in this venture
And walk this land
And explore this uncharted territory with me
Please take my hand
I implore you to give me your trust and follow me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Douglas Ingle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pcpete911
Watch and observe, children. They PLAY their instruments and sing with
competence. They know their instruments and have spent a lot of time
practicing and learning their skill. No Autotune. No computerization
doing it for them. This is something called talent. Talent was a skill
from decades ago before Autotune, before computerization, before the
record industry picked young people to become stars based on visual
appeal and how far a person would go with publicity stunts to create
shock value. These talented musicians of the past had creativity,
commitment, flair, skill, and put in a lot of time writing and polishing
their songs. Many of them read what is called sheet music. Sheet
music is a kind of language for music using what is called notes. Sheet
music and notes kind of equate to learning how to write language and
use what is called grammar. Grammar are the rules and guidelines of
language. Music has a grammar to it, as well. In both writing language
and music, creativity may be used to create magnificent songs, such as
the one on this video. However, you will have to learn what is called
discipline. Discipline requires something called work. Discipline and
work will give you the means to learn how to actually sing and play
instruments on your own without computerized assistance. Once you
become good with singing and playing instruments, something called your
self-esteem will improve. You will develop a sense of what is called
accomplishment, like these young lads in the video.
@bugvswindshield
my buddy Pat and I went to our local watering hole , back n 1990. Mostly country music bar...but oldies rock too.
so Pat plugs in this song on the jukebox...sighs were audible. Even a few grumbles. We drank our drinks...I decided to get another as the song winds down and Pat grabs my arm "Dude , we have to leave, I put the song on twice"
LMAO As were walking out of the bar the song hit again …."hly fuck! fucki g bullshit......turn that shit off " is all we heard as went on our way . :) ah the stupidity of youth.
I think i'll do it again.
@untitledfan3660
Lyrics: in a gadda da vida 17:04
In a gadda da vida honey
Don't you know that im loving you
In a gadda da vida baby
Don't you know that I'll always be true
Oh won't you come with me
And take my hand
Oh won't you come with me
And walk this land
Please take my hand
@MinscFromBaldursGate92
Wait a minute. This sounds like rock and/or roll.
@skyesaathoff1093
I was lying in a bunk in Vietnam in 1969 listening to this song over and over again, and never got tired of it. It put me somewhere else then where I was mentally!
@PurpleCaliper
My dad died today. He was 55 and I am 25. He battled alcoholism his entire life unsuccessfully. When I was a kid he made me sit down and listen to this song on tape in the living room; I'll always have him to thank for that. RIP Dad.
@deadoncomedy
Glad you have good memories. Hold on to those.
@randyhutchinson9910
PurpleCaliper sometimes, we dad's, don't do so good, and every once in a while, we do something really cool, I'm glad for you
@randyhutchinson9910
PurpleCaliper he loved you baby, he still loves you!!!!
@harrypitt3785
I am a retired trucker and I kept this CD in my truck. When I got tired, I would put this on full blast. Can't say how many miles it got me through. No doubt my favorite tune of all time.
@billfarley9167
Got out of the Canadian military after 20 years. Had enough. The year was 1966 and I was 32 years old. Went way up north and fell in with a bunch of hippies. Something else! Got into the weed and listening to Iron Butterfly a lot. Sure a different life than the military. Fell in love, etc. etc. Now I'm an old fart and still listening to Iron butterfly. Wonderful times. Peace everyone.
@joaogomes9405
This isn't a song, this is a damn experience.
@lizthacker6184
Holy cow! I hadn't heard the full version of this song since 1970 when I was 15 years old! Talk about a flashback! Bell bottoms and tie-dye halter top on, black light posters, incense, and my mom hollering "TURN THAT STEREO DOWN!".