Iron Butterfly

Psychedelic Rock Pioneers

Iron Butterfly is an American rock band that was formed in 1966 and became one of the early creators of heavy metal music. They are best known for their 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," which is the title track from their second studio album of the same name. This 17-minute epic track, with its iconic drum solo and guitar riffs, became a defining moment in psychedelic rock and is considered a precursor to heavy metal. The album achieved massive success, selling over 30 million copies worldwide and earning a platinum certification by the RIAA. Iron Butterfly's influence extended beyond this signature song, as they released several other albums throughout their career, including "Scorching Beauty" in 1975. The band underwent numerous lineup changes over the years and disbanded temporarily on a few occasions but continued to perform live, as evidenced by recordings like "Live in Sweden 1971." Despite never quite replicating the monumental success of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," Iron Butterfly's contribution to the development of rock music genres has cemented their place in music history.