John Kay (born Joachim Fritz Krauledat; April 12, 1944) is an American rock singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf.

[5] In early 1945, Kay's mother fled with him from the advancing Soviet troops during the evacuation of East Prussia in harsh winter conditions.

Now living in the British occupation zone, the young Joachim, who had eye problems and could not speak or understand English, was first inspired by and learned about rock 'n' roll music while listening to Little Richard on U.S. Armed Forces radio.

[7] After hitchhiking to Canada in 1965, he was invited by fellow German-born bass player Nick St. Nicholas to join the blues-rock band the Sparrows.

[8] Despite never holding Canadian citizenship,[3] Kay was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in recognition of the beginning of his musical career in Toronto.