Goldie McJohn

Who is Goldie McJohn?

John Raymond Goadsby, known as 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. He is also an avid golfer.

In 1964, he played with local band, Little John & The Friars before moving on later that year to become a member of the Mynah Birds, which also included Rick James, Bruce Palmer and Neil Young. In March 1965, he briefly joined The Diplomats before joining The Sparrows in September of that year. John Kay asked him if he could be known as "Goldy" while riding the bus to Willowdale. Goldy felt "Goldy Goadsby" would not be right, so in honor of his mother, Dorothy McIntyre, Goldy added the "Mc" to his legal first name, creating his stage name. The band went on to become Steppenwolf and he remained with the group from 1967 to early 1975 when he was fired by Kay.

During Steppenwolf's hiatus in the early 1970s, he and Steppenwolf drummer Jerry Edmonton formed Manbeast with Rod Prince and Roy Cox of Bubble Puppy, during which time the band penned at least one song that would appear on Steppenwolf's 1974 release, Slow Flux, Goldy's last with the band.