TAKING FLIGHT
Erik Braunn was born in Boston Massachusettes on August 11, 1950. Erik was playing violin at 4 years old (!) and was a concert violinist by age 7. It was also around this time that his family moved to California. Erik took up the guitar in his early teens, and was soon a proficient and respectable jazz guitarist. He formed his first band while in high school, Paper Fortress. Erik's next move would prove to be the one that introduced him to the world.
BRAUNN AND HEAVY
In 1967, Erik attended a show by a local San Deigo band, IRON BUTTERFLY. The Butterfly had already recorded it's debut album, "Heavy", but internal tensions were setting in. At the show, organist and vocalist Doug Ingle announced to the crowd that the guitarist Danny Weiss was on his way out. Erik, at this time only 16 years old, approached Ingle after the show, and was told to come back a week later when they would be formally auditioning. He did, and our hero was the last to play out of 40 people, and was hired on the spot. Erik joined Ingle, drummer Ron Bushy, bassist Jerry Penrod, and vocalist Darryl Deloach. What's even more astounding, Erik was not even experienced at playing rock'n'roll guitar, but took the time to learn to play lead and was quickly dazzling audiences.
The band then went about promoting the "Heavy" album, much to Braunn's dismay as he was not fond of alot of the material on it. His predecessor Danny Weiss has claimed that Erik was simply brought in to be a clone of Weiss, modeling his onstage look and sound after him. However, tapes from the Galaxy Club in this early stage clearly show Braunn breaking his own ground. Renditions of songs like "Gentle As It May Seem" and the opus "Iron Butterfly Theme" find Erik surpassing the guitar parts of Weiss, and excelling even more at early versions of later Butterfly classics "Lonely Boy" and "Filled With Fear". Erik Braunn was clearly nobody's clone; quite frankly, there was no one on the fuckin' planet like him!
More unrest soon struck the Butterfly, as Penrod and Darryl Deloach soon departed. One Lee Dorman came in on bass, and after building up a live reputation, Atlantic Records finally issued the "Heavy" album in early 1968.
The classic lineup of Braunn, Bushy, Dorman, and Ingle soon returned to the studio to record their second album.... the album on which Erik and the rest of the band would set the world on fire!
IN HIS GARDEN OF EDEN
Iron Butterfly's second album "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" was a huge hit for the band. It featured the 17-minute title track which became a worldwide hit and is one of rock music's all time greatest riffs. Although credited solely to Doug Ingle, it was Erik who wrote the signature riff and suggested that drummer Ron Bushy spice up the song with a drum solo, inspired by the African tribal drum mass "Missa Luba". The album went on to sell millions and was the first album EVER to recieve platinum status. Iron Butterfly were superstars.
The album, recorded while Braunn was 17 years old, featured one of his own songs, "Termination", a rousing and apocolyptic number which had lyrics inspired by Greek mythology. The albums back cover described Erik as "one of the most talented young lead guitarists in the country", and when listening to tracks like "Vida" and "Most Anything You Want", it is obvious that this was an understatement.
Erik was catching the attention of several of his peers. Jimi Hendrix gave Braunn his first fuzz unit, and produced a session on which Erik played guitar. Jeff Beck also gave Erik a wah wah pedal.
After touring extensively through '68, the group recorded the album "Ball" in 1969. Viewed by many as their masterpiece, it was a sonic blast on vinyl that showed the groups talent, maybe even moreso than "Vida". "Ball" would eventually be certified with gold status. Interestingly, one of Braunn's most hauntingly beautiful guitar solos on the album, that of the track "Lonely Boy", was a watered down version of what he wanted. Erik send that he had intended a full on jazz-style solo there, but the band insisted on cutting it down to a few bars. So, Erik responded with one of recorded histories finest uses of an echo unit. (A glimpse of Erik's intended solo can be heard on the rare Galaxy Club '67 recording of "Lonely Boy") Even in the face of adversity, Erik knew how to make the most out of things. Braunn often hinted that he wasn't always fond of Ingle's songs, but since his own songs were frequently turned down (or rehashed by the other band members, as in the case of "Soul Experience") he was often forced to try and put his own mark on an otherwise mediocre song. On tracks like "Filled With Fear" and his own "Belda Beast", Braunn's guitar playing soared to new heights. "Belda Beast" was, in fact, both Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon's all time favorite Iron Butterfly recording. Two songs, "I Can't Help But Decieve You Little Girl" and "To Be Alone", both by Ingle, were recorded but not released until they surfaced as bonus tracks on a 1999 CD reissue of "Ball". Check out Erik's solo on "To Be Alone" and see if it doesn't sound like a precursor to Brian May's (an admitted fan) famous style.
AM I DOWN
After "Ball"'s release, tensions within Iron Butterfly had become unbearable. Erik recorded 1970's "Live" album with the group, a sadly overlooked live album that is ten times better than many of the more acknowledged live recordings other bands released. However, it would prove to be Braunn's last with the group. It should be noted that in attempting to replace Erik, the group had to bring in not one but two guitar players, recording the dismal "Metamorphisis" and disbanding shortly thereafter.
Erik Braunn, meanwhile, formed the short lived group Flintwhistle with former bandmates Darryl Deloach and Jerry Penrod. This band soon folded due to the drug habits of some of its members and Braunn, frustrated with playing in bands, went solo, writing songs at a fierce pace, and jamming with some of rock's most decorated and recognized artists.
THE BUTTERFLY IN THE 70'S
In 1974, Erik Braunn scored a deal with MCA records and, at their request, revived the Iron Butterfly name. He recruited Butterfly drummer Ron Bushy and new members Phil Kramer (bass) and Bill Demartines (keyboard). This lineup released the album "Sun and Steel" and, with new keyboardist Howard Reitzes, "Scorching Beauty" was released the following year. This is a sadly understated and often overlooked era in the Iron Butterfly story. Erik wrote most of the songs for the two albums, and although the sound is indeed very different from the "Vida" and "Ball" albums, these albums feature incredible song craft and still more of Braunn's fiery guitar work. Some of the songs, Kramer (bass) and Bill Demartines (keyboard). This lineup released the album "Sun and Steel" and, with new keyboardist Howard Reitzes, "Scorching Beauty" was released the following year. This is a sadly understated and often overlooked era in the Iron Butterfly story. Erik wrote most of the songs for the two albums, and although the sound is indeed very different from the "Vida" and "Ball" albums, these albums feature incredible song craft and still more of Erik's fiery guitar playing. MCA gave the band minimal promotion, and only a couple of singles were released. (One song from the latter album, "Pearly Gates" was actually co-written with Yes singer Jon Anderson). Despite their frivolous touring to support both albums, this version of the Butterfly too met its demise.
Erik then decided to try his hand at writing songs for other bands. Three of these songs, the best of which undoubtedly being his fist-clenching rocker "Angry", actually found their way to the hands of PINK FLOYD producer Bob Ezrin. Ezrin took them to Pink Floyd and expressed that "Angry" was a sure-fire hit being handed to them. Pink Floyd, which had just recently reformed after parting with chief song writer Roger Waters, was working on their first album without Waters, and David Gilmour refused to record other people's material for fear that it would prove that they needed Roger Waters. (It is ironic that, to many fans, the next two Floyd albums and the songs Gilmour wrote for them were more than enough proof that they needed Roger Waters!) As a result, "Angry" was senselessly turned down. Undaunted, Erik submitted the beautiful acoustic ballad "One Clean Cut" to the legendary heavy metal band THE SCOPRIONS.
TERMINATION.... THE OUTCOME OF THE BUTTERFLY?
Several various versions of Iron Buttefly came and went, most which were without Erik, whilst Braunn continued his songwriting and musical growth. In 1988, the classic lineup of Braunn, Bushy, Lee Dorman, and Doug Ingle reunited to play a U.S. tour. However, according to Braunn, there were problems right from the word "go". It was he who was given the task of organizing and driving the band through this reunion, and he was met with little cooperation, particularly from a bitter Ingle. Erik tried to talk the band into doing some new material...only to have his songs rejected by and large by the other members, with Ingle being the second person to foolishly turn down the song "Angry". The band pushed through the U.S. tour anyway, being met with great responses and accolades all around.
The tour bowed out in grand style with the band playing at Atlantic Record's 40th Anniversary bash. The band were the FIRST BAND TO RECIEVE A STANDING OVATION, and completely stole the show, even from the once mighty Led Zeppelin. Sadly, the footage of Iron Butterfly was not included in the movie release of the concert due to a long running feud between Doug Ingle and Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun. Once again, Iron Butterfly, and Erik Braunn in particular, had been screwed out of the recognition they so richly deserved.
HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN TOP
After the frustrating process of the reunion tour, Erik Braunn left Iron Butterfly behind for good. In '88, Erik's famous Mosrite guitar that he had used on "Vida" and was most often pictured with was placed in the Hard Rock Cafe in Dallas. Throughout the '90s, Erik continued writing songs and around the end of the millenium began work on his first solo album. He was slowed down by a lifelong ailment which doctors knew very little about. Erik was often unable to do anything simply because he was in a world of pain, but he soldiered on anyway. Around 2002, the album was nearing completion, and it was around this time that I had the pleasure of first coming into contact with Erik. Bits and pieces of the songs for the album were offered for free download from Erik's website.
In his last year of life, Erik was maybe more enthusiastic and excited than ever about the music he was making, but his health continued to be unpredictable. He was in a coma for about a week at one point, but bravely, Erik continued. It is my belief that he knew he didn't have all the time in the world left and he wanted to make the most of it. He did not want to be an object of pity, and was determined to see his vision through in spite of his illness.
On Friday, July 25, 2003, Erik Keith Braunn died. He was only 52 years old. The cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest. Fans from around the world signed internet condoloence books and showed a tremendous outpouring of love for their fallen hero. Even Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman felt compelled to make a statement, saying that "when he (Erik) left, the band just kind of drifted". Members of the band Strawberry Alarm Clock also expressed their love for Erik. After years of suffering unbearable pain due to his disease, Erik was finally at peace.
Erik was always fearless of death, and had no intention of growing old and boring. Although never seeing the recognition in his lifetime that he deserved, his fans and friends will always remember him for his unbelievable talent, as well as for his kind and caring nature. Erik genuinely loved each and every one of his fans, and was always willing to talk to them and answer their questions about his long career. Although Erik sadly was just as mortal as the rest of us, his music and spirit are not, and will continue to burn bright everywhere people turn their stereos all the way up and blast "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" at concert volume!