Rushton Moreve
Encyclopedia
Rushton Moreve was an American bass guitarist best known for his work with the rock band Steppenwolf
from 1967–68 and again in 1978. According to singer John Kay
, Moreve was an intuitive bassist with a melodic style that brought a non-commercial sound to Steppenwolf, a technique exemplified on the hit he co-wrote with Kay, "Magic Carpet Ride
".
Moreve's early influence was essential in creating the unique musical style for which Steppenwolf became famous. Moreve joined the band in 1967 and performed on their debut album, Steppenwolf, which was composed of covers and songs written by Kay. Moreve's influence was heavier on the follow-up, The Second
, his final album with Steppenwolf. He split with the band in late 1968 when he refused to fly back to California, fearing it would sink into the Pacific Ocean. Moreve was killed in 1981 in a motorcycle accident.
One of Steppenwolf's most popular songs was "Magic Carpet Ride
", a song that evolved out of something Moreve had been working on – a simple but catchy three-note bass line. While the band was recording its second album, Moreve played his song for the band and sang the lyrics, "I like my job, I like my baby."
The band liked it. The lead singer (John Kay
) made a quick tape of Moreve's demo, took it home, wrote the rest of the music and some new lyrics. According to Kay, "Twenty minutes later the whole thing was finished."
Writing credits for "Magic Carpet Ride" were assigned to John Kay and Rushton Moreve. This was the only Steppenwolf song Moreve received credit for writing. It was released on the album Steppenwolf the Second
.
, Moreve was fired in 1968 after he refused to return to California for a weekend TV appearance:
He was eventually replaced by former Sparrow
bassist, Nick St. Nicholas
. He was awarded his gold record for The Second when one of his producers recognized him on the street years later. In 1978, he performed with a new Steppenwolf lineup with ex-Steppenwolf guitarist Kent Henry
, who played on the For Ladies Only album . This was a separate incarnation from the lineup with Nick St. Nicholas. Moreve eventually left this version of Steppenwolf when he and Henry had a major falling out.
. He was 32. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California
.
Steppenwolf (band)
Steppenwolf are a Canadian-American rock group that was prominent in the late 1960s. The group was formed in 1967 in Los Angeles by vocalist John Kay, guitarist Michael Monarch, bassist Rushton Moreve, keyboardist Goldy McJohn and drummer Jerry Edmonton after the dissolution of Toronto group The...
from 1967–68 and again in 1978. According to singer John Kay
John Kay (musician)
John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf...
, Moreve was an intuitive bassist with a melodic style that brought a non-commercial sound to Steppenwolf, a technique exemplified on the hit he co-wrote with Kay, "Magic Carpet Ride
Magic Carpet Ride
"Magic Carpet Ride" is a rock song written by John Kay and Rushton Moreve from the Canadian-American band Steppenwolf. The song was initially released in 1968 on the album The Second. It was the lead single from that album, peaking at No. 3 in the US, and becoming the band's second-biggest hit,...
".
Moreve's early influence was essential in creating the unique musical style for which Steppenwolf became famous. Moreve joined the band in 1967 and performed on their debut album, Steppenwolf, which was composed of covers and songs written by Kay. Moreve's influence was heavier on the follow-up, The Second
Steppenwolf the Second
The Second is the second studio album by Canadian-American acid rock band Steppenwolf, released in 1968 on ABC Dunhill Records. The album contains one of Steppenwolf's most famous songs, "Magic Carpet Ride"...
, his final album with Steppenwolf. He split with the band in late 1968 when he refused to fly back to California, fearing it would sink into the Pacific Ocean. Moreve was killed in 1981 in a motorcycle accident.
Steppenwolf
Moreve joined the band in 1967, having responded to a "Bass Player Wanted" notice posted at Wallich's Music City at Vine and Sunset.One of Steppenwolf's most popular songs was "Magic Carpet Ride
Magic Carpet Ride
"Magic Carpet Ride" is a rock song written by John Kay and Rushton Moreve from the Canadian-American band Steppenwolf. The song was initially released in 1968 on the album The Second. It was the lead single from that album, peaking at No. 3 in the US, and becoming the band's second-biggest hit,...
", a song that evolved out of something Moreve had been working on – a simple but catchy three-note bass line. While the band was recording its second album, Moreve played his song for the band and sang the lyrics, "I like my job, I like my baby."
The band liked it. The lead singer (John Kay
John Kay (musician)
John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf...
) made a quick tape of Moreve's demo, took it home, wrote the rest of the music and some new lyrics. According to Kay, "Twenty minutes later the whole thing was finished."
Writing credits for "Magic Carpet Ride" were assigned to John Kay and Rushton Moreve. This was the only Steppenwolf song Moreve received credit for writing. It was released on the album Steppenwolf the Second
Steppenwolf the Second
The Second is the second studio album by Canadian-American acid rock band Steppenwolf, released in 1968 on ABC Dunhill Records. The album contains one of Steppenwolf's most famous songs, "Magic Carpet Ride"...
.
Departure
According to keyboardist Goldy McJohnGoldy McJohn
Goldy McJohn is a Canadian keyboard player best known as the original keyboardist for rock group Steppenwolf. Originally a classically trained pianist, he was a pioneer in the early use of the electronic organ in heavy metal...
, Moreve was fired in 1968 after he refused to return to California for a weekend TV appearance:
- Rushton and his old lady had packed up all their belongings and when we got to the Midwest gig they split. She (Animal Huxley, Aldous Huxley's granddaughter) told Rushton that there was going to be a huge earthquake and there would be no California when they came home. Rushton lost out to one of the biggest groups going.
He was eventually replaced by former Sparrow
The Sparrows
The Sparrow was a Canadian blues-rock band that existed in the 1960s, and which evolved out of Jack London & The Sparrow and later morphed into heavy rock group, Steppenwolf.-Early years:...
bassist, Nick St. Nicholas
Nick St. Nicholas
Nick St. Nicholas is a bassist, and is best known for his membership in Steppenwolf from 1968 to 1970, and then again from 1976 to 1980. After World War II, his family moved to Toronto and became Canadian citizens. Sister Maren joined the Canadian Ballet Company & Conservatory of Music as pianist...
. He was awarded his gold record for The Second when one of his producers recognized him on the street years later. In 1978, he performed with a new Steppenwolf lineup with ex-Steppenwolf guitarist Kent Henry
Kent Henry
Kent Henry was an American guitarist and songwriter best known for his contributions to Steppenwolf and Blues Image.-Blues Image:...
, who played on the For Ladies Only album . This was a separate incarnation from the lineup with Nick St. Nicholas. Moreve eventually left this version of Steppenwolf when he and Henry had a major falling out.
Death
Moreve died in 1981 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSanta Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
. He was 32. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California
Glendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
.