Doug Ingle, lead singer and co-founder of Iron Butterfly, passed away peacefully on May 24 at age 78, surrounded by family. As one of the founding members of Iron Butterfly in 1966, Ingle left an indelible mark on rock music history.


Ingle was instrumental in creating Iron Butterfly's signature sound, most notably co-writing their legendary hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." The song's famous title originated from a creative mishearing - according to drummer Ron Bushy, Ingle had intended to say "In the Garden of Eden" after consuming a gallon of Red Mountain wine, but his slurred speech created the iconic title that stuck.

The original Iron Butterfly lineup included Ingle, Jack Pinney, Greg Willis, and Danny Weis in San Diego. After signing a record deal, the band reformed with Ingle, Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, and Erik Brann. During this period, Ingle co-wrote several other notable songs including "Soul Experience," "In the Time of Our Lives," and "Easy Rider."

Following Iron Butterfly's breakup in 1971, Ingle briefly performed with Stark Naked and the Car Thieves. He later stepped away from the music industry, managing an RV Park in the Los Angeles National Forest from 1974 to 1978, though he would occasionally reunite with his former bandmates for tours.

His passing was announced by his son, Doug Ingle Jr., who remembered him not just as a musician, but as "a father, teacher, and a friend."

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