Iron Butterfly Guitarist Dies at 52

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LOS ANGELES, July 28 — Erik Braunn, the Iron Butterfly guitarist who played one of rock’s most recognizable riffs in the 17-minute anthem 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida', died of cardiac arrest Friday."

― Pabst Blue Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:16 (twenty-two years ago)

"Wait a minute; this sounds like rock and/or roll."

― Reverend Lovejoy (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Then there's the weird story about bassist Philip Kramer who was missing for four years. He and his van was eventually found off of CA-23 in the Santa Monica Mountains. I must have driven over that road a couple dozen times when I was working in Westlake Village and eating lunch over at Neptune's Net on PCH.

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Gloriously stupid album:

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c490/c49090os9g5.jpg

I think I like it more than "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:32 (twenty-two years ago)

The liner notes to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida had a profound effect on me in middle school. If someone has them, could they please put up here what the notes said about this guitarist (each got a very groovy bio)? I'm curious.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:36 (twenty-two years ago)

I was just trying to find those liner notes myself! I don't have the LP handy.

― Pabst Blue Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Found the liner notes here

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:41 (twenty-two years ago)

"Seventeen year-old Erik Brann is the youngest and another 'nomad' in the group. One of the most talented young lead guitarists in the country, his musical training began before school and by the time he was seven years of age, he was a concert violinist. Although music has always been his one great love, Erik studied drama and before joining the Butterfly, his acting ability had landed him in the lead role in a local play. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Erik hopes to, one day, continue in the acting field. Right now, however, his only concern is the Iron Butterfly, turtleneck sweaters, bananas, and the fairer sex."

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:42 (twenty-two years ago)

gah! x-post. I typed it up for nothing.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Dude considered turtleneck sweaters and bananas to be CONCERNS. wow. I always loved these liner notes! Thank you!

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:45 (twenty-two years ago)

RON BUSHY is one of the Butterfly "nomads." His father, a career man in the military, was always on the go and consequently Ron was able to call about 34 different states "home." Aside from promoting his musical genius, travel also made Ron one of the most out-going of the four members. Ron is also an outdoorsman who digs fishing, hunting, and skindiving. His drum "training" goes back to the sixth grade when he fashioned his first drum by building a practice pad and cutting out and varnishing his own drum sticks from wood.

― Pabst Blue Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I recall being mystified by those liner notes as well.

― Andy K (Andy K), Monday, 28 July 2003 23:51 (twenty-two years ago)

bassist lee dorman used to live on my parent's counch when i was a kid.

― chaki (chaki), Tuesday, 29 July 2003 00:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Off topic (like you expected anything else)...

Chris Barrus: that is the infamous Decker Canyon route... very dangerous as I recall, many twists and turns and definitely not enough room for two cars width. Neptune's Net is pretty classic, I remember enjoying their seafood mart after spending the morning surfing county line.

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 29 July 2003 00:19 (twenty-two years ago)

No RIP this-is-so-sad answers? Poor dude had lousy karma, hmm?

― nestmanso (nestmanso), Tuesday, 29 July 2003 02:19 (twenty-two years ago)

two years pass...

In July 1968, I saw Iron Butterfly perform at a small club in St. Charles, IL called the "Jaguar." Admission was only $5. I stood near the stage and watched the warm-up band. Standing next to me was Doug Ingle, Iron Butterfly's keyboard player. At the end of their set, the stage was set on fire. It was an "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" moment in rock history. I witnessed an amazing concert. There were no ego or star trips...just pure live psychadelic rock!

― David J. Allison, Thursday, 26 January 2006 02:57 (twenty years ago)

thirteen years pass...

Checking out 'Scorching Beauty' by Iron Butterfly was a bit of a trip. This one tune "Am I Down" almost sounds like proto-Weezer or some mid 90s indie rock band.

― earlnash, Saturday, 30 March 2019 01:43 (seven years ago)

two years pass...

Now drummer Ron Bushy has died. There are a couple of good songs on each of Iron Butterfly's first four records, and I play those good songs more often than a lot of "better" music.

― Halfway there but for you, Monday, 30 August 2021 00:54 (four years ago)

For instance, he played an unusual, intuitive, almost haunting part on "My Mirage" that deserves a mention in the Psychedelic Hall of Fame.

― Halfway there but for you, Monday, 30 August 2021 14:56 (four years ago)

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