Iron Butterfly’s Doug Ingle has died aged 78

Doug Ingle, founder, lead vocalist and organist of classic psych rock band Iron Butterfly, has died aged 78. He was the last surviving member of the band’s classic lineup.

In a Facebook post shared online, Ingle’s son Doug Ingle Jr shared: “It’s with a heavy heart & great sadness to announce the passing of my Father Doug Ingle. Dad passed away peacefully this evening [May 24] in the presence of family.

“Thank You Dad for being a father, teacher and friend. Cherished loving memories I will carry the rest of my days moving forward in this journey of life. Love you Dad.”

No cause of death was given for the Iron Butterfly singer.

Iron Butterfly was formed in 1966 by Ingle, drummer Jack Pinney, bassist Greg Willis and guitarist Danny Weis in San Diego, California. However, the band are best known for their lineup once they signed a record deal, which included Ingle, drummer Ron Bushy, bassist Lee Dorman and guitarist Eric Brann. Brann died in 2003, whilst Dorman passed in 2012 and Bushy most recently died in 2021.

The band are best known for their 1986 hit ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’, co-written by Ingle. The song is credited as being one of the progenitors of hard rock and heavy metal music.

Ingle would go on to write other classics such as ‘Soul Experience’, ‘In The Time Of Our Lives’ and ‘Easy Rider’. Eventually, the band split up in 1971, although Ingle would occasionally tour with the band, most recently in 1999.

There were reports in 2014 that the band were writing a new album with Ingle’s song, Ingle Jr. Guitarist Mike Pinera told Classic Rock at the time: “We just reformed Iron Butterfly with some original members…Ron Bushy, the original drummer and founder of the band, and myself, and Doug Ingle Jr.” The album never materialised.

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