Okay I have a question about the Monster album that I am hoping one of you may help me with:

My Dad who served in Vietnam has for years talked about this album. However he claims that the version he heard overseas was longer and different from the ABC Dunhill version here. I have searched and can only find two versions: the original 9:16m and a 9:56m from the Live album which supposedly is not really live. I have also found that the album was released here in 1970 and he swears he heard it in 1969. As anti-war as the song was it amazes me that any version made it here at all. So I believe it is possible that there was an "americanized" version here. All I really know is that he remembers it being played on a quad unit thru 4 Sansui SP-2000's. Whether the album was actually in quad or not he's not sure. He just remembers a part of the song in which they said something like "I'm the monster. I'm coming to get you." Now I realize that we are dealing with the 60's a time of drugs, etc and a nearly 40 year old memory but can someone help me out???

On a side note I found that the R2R version was 4 track would that version be different from the 2 track vinyl version??

Thanks in advance

Four track tapes have 2 tracks in each direction to give you 2 'sides' of stereo. That said I believe the track is on the 1970 live album as well as Monster. Could well be there are different versions on different pressings, the CD and the tape.

The record was pressed at least in the states, UK, Australia, Uraguay Canada , Mexico, Argentina, Japan and Brazil and was reissued by Probe and MCA. There is also a 7" promo. Maybe someone is a fan and can elucidate on the versions.

It's quite possible your Dad heard a bootleg version from a live show. Another possibility is that it might not have actually been Steppenwolf. John Kay was the leader of a Canadian group, "The Sparrow", that recorded for Columbia in 1966. Many of the tapes they cut were included on Columbia albums although not on "The Sparrow" albums. Some of their material was Kay originals and it's quite possible this may have been one of them.

And before you ask, yes, I'm a huge Steppenwolf fan. They were the headliners at the first concert I saw. Eric Burdon and the Animals were the opening act. I was so young it took many more years before I found out what that strange smell was that permeated the air. :smoke: