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Vinyl Details

Record Grade
EX
Cover Grade
VG+
Release Year
1972
Record Label
Dunhill

John Kay

Forgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes

SKU: 146620070970
Category: Rock

John Kay - Forgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes - 1972 - EX - Ultrasonic Clean w/insert  - The record has been cleaned using ultrasonic technology and is in strong EX/EX condition. The cover is crisp, only a VG+ because of age!

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$19.99

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John Kay

John Kay

John Kay, born Joachim Fritz Krauledat on April 12, 1944, in Tilsit, East Prussia, Germany (now Sovetsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia), is a German-born Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best recognized as the frontman of Steppenwolf.

In early 1945, during the Evacuation of East Prussia amidst severe winter conditions, his mother fled with him from the advancing Soviet troops. By 1948, they had escaped from Arnstadt in the East German Soviet occupation zone to settle in Hanover, West Germany, a journey that he reflects on in his song "Renegade" from the album Steppenwolf Seven. While residing in the British occupation zone, the young Joachim, who faced eyesight challenges, found solace in music broadcast by the British Forces Broadcasting Service before his family moved to Canada in 1958.

In 1965, he became a member of a blues rock and folk group called The Sparrows (later known as The Sparrow), which enjoyed moderate success in Canada before relocating to California. The group expanded its lineup and rebranded as Steppenwolf in 1967. The band became known for pioneering hard rock and heavy metal, achieving international acclaim with hits such as "Born to Be Wild," "Magic Carpet Ride," "Monster," "The Pusher," and "Rock Me." Their song "Born to Be Wild," alongside "The Pusher," gained significant exposure in the 1969 film Easy Rider.

Throughout the late 1970s, Kay recorded both as a solo artist and with Steppenwolf. As of 2017, John Kay remains active in music, continuing to perform with Steppenwolf.

Description

John Kay - Forgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes - 1972 - EX - Ultrasonic Clean w/insert  - The record has been cleaned using ultrasonic technology and is in strong EX/EX condition. The cover is crisp, only a VG+ because of age!

  • Record was initially cleaned manually, then ultrasonically cleaned with iSonic Ultrasonic Cleaning prior to grading
  • Records are packaged with a poly outer sleeve, the LP is placed in a fresh white inner sleeve directly after cleaning, (we include the accompanying sleeve, we send you both), separate from the cover to protect the seams during shipment, and of course, shipped within thick cardboard insert pads in a thick cardboard record mailer.
  • We offer discounted shipping on multiple records: calculated shipping for the first one and $2 for each additional one. International Buyers, please read International Buyers paragraph below.


SRO Records Record Grading Guide:

SEALED/Mint:

Vinyl: Assumed mint, unverified until opened.

Sleeve: Visible through shrink wrap, graded as above.

NM (Near Mint):

Vinyl: Nearly flawless, with possible minor scuffs or hairlines only visible under strong light.
Sleeve: Appears new, as if freshly printed.

 

EX (Excellent):

Vinyl: Bright, with minor surface wear and hairlines, not affecting play.

Sleeve: May have faint creases or abrasions, but artwork is clean.

 

VG+ (Very Good Plus):

Vinyl: Obvious wear, scuffs and hairlines, plays with some noise but no major sound issues.

Sleeve: Worn with creases, noticeable wear, acid deterioration, corner dings, chipping, and possible seam wear.

 
Here's the typical SRO Records line in the sand. Anything below VG+, unless it's rare, unusual or just awesome, we're NOT going to sell online, much less go through the hassle of an ultrasonic cleaning, we're going to put it in one of many $10 Record boxes that we sell at Record Conventions and events. Some will wind up in the $1 Box, just to get it back out into the world for someone to enjoy or make a planter out of.

 

VG (Very Good):

Vinyl: Dull appearance with many hairlines and scuffs, somehow plays with persistent noise but no skips. 

Sleeve: Worn with possible seam splits and moderate ring wear.

G+ (Good Plus):

Vinyl: Numerous marks and scratches, plays with significant noise but music usually overpowers flaws.

Sleeve: Rough appearance with possible seam splits and water damage.


G (Good):

Vinyl: Copious unforgettable marks, probably a skip or jump.

Sleeve: Heavy ring wear and damage, likely large seam splits or water damage.


F (Fair):

Vinyl: It's round with nearly infinite damage, skipper gonna skip

Sleeve: It's basically what's left of the sleeve for the album

International Buyers: We charge $7 for the first record and $2 a record thereafter for Domestic Shipping in the continental United States. This only includes shipping to the International hub here in the United States. Please carefully review the total shipping and VAT charges for your order before committing to a purchase, which will be different from what we are able to view or control on the US eBay site.


SRO Records Office 

Record Testing Equipment:


Turntable:

Yamaha Direct Drive YP-D6

Ortofon VMS 20 E Mk II Cartridge


Amplification:

Yamaha Natural Sound Receiver


Speakers:

JBL 4312 Studio

We're Not Happy Until You're Not Happy Dept.

We kid! Since 1983, we simply don't exist without happy customers; we offer hassle-free returns on all vinyl LP record album purchase that are returned in the exact condition they were sent. We cannot accept returns on factory sealed/mint new/unopened lp albums that have been opened. Please send us a message if you have any questions, concerns, or issues with your purchase; please do not open a return or an eBay case without contacting us first, we will make it right!


We are professional, quite reasonable to a fault and are ALWAYS willing to work to resolve any issue with a purchase!

Thank you for buying from SRO Records! You can catch us at the Spring and Fall Austin Record Convention, many Austin popups, so drop by and say hello to Gabi and Jeff!

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Over 1,400 positive reviews so far from vinyl enthusiasts worldwide

"Thank you"

Various - Joyous Christmas - Volume 6 - 1972 Jazz - G - Ultrasonic Clean
Adam T. Dec 10, 2025

"Arrived well packed and was as described. Finally got around to playing it last evening - flawless! So happy!"

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Melissa P. Dec 5, 2025

"A+++wesome seller. Item arrived quickly, packaged safely, and as described. Very excited to get a true mono copy of this great album at reasonable price! Great value. Thank you!"

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Daniel T. Dec 25, 2025

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Peter D. Feb 2, 2026

"Record is in beautiful shape. The vinyl looks like new. Ample packaging and protection. Will do business with this ebayer again. Fantastic."

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Jacob B. Dec 14, 2025

"Excellent."

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Craig H. Jan 29, 2026

"Sounds fantastic. Really enjoyable listen. Thank you so much!"

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Maurice F. Jan 25, 2026

"Excellent album, accurately graded!"

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Trent S. Feb 9, 2026

"Item was as described. Thanks."

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Kevin O. Jan 10, 2026

"Love this album — the fact that it was cleaned via ultrasonic method made the money well spent. Will buy from this seller again."

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Karen U. Jan 11, 2026

"AS SHOWN ALL GOOD"

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Ryan M. Oct 7, 2025

"Just as described! Fast shipping, A+ seller"

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Lisa R. Oct 6, 2025