Iron Butterfly’s Doug Ingle has died aged 78. The co-founder of the heavy rock band was the singer and organist on songs including their 1968 hit In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida, which he also wrote. Ingle’s family announced his death on social media this weekend.
‘It’s with a heavy heart & great sadness to announce the passing of my Father Doug Ingle,’ Doug Ingle Jr shared. ‘Dad passed away peacefully this evening 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.’ Most of the band’s success came with their 17-minute long song, which their 1968 second album was named after.
The single spent 81 weeks in the top 10 in the United States and for a time it was the bestselling album in Atlantic Records’ history, selling over 30 million copies. Ingle was the last surviving member of the original lineup, which was formed in San Diego in 1966. An edit of In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida which lasted only two minutes and 52 seconds landed at No.
30 on the Billboard Hot 100, however it’s cultural impact was far greater. The song’s excessive length was turned to by late night FM DJ’s when needing a smoking or bathroom break. On a 1995 episode of The Simpsons, titled Bart Sells His Soul, Bart also snuck a version of the organ-driven song into his church’s worship service under the de-slurred title In the Garden of Eden, credited to I.
Ron Butter.
