Doug Ingle, the lead singer and co-founder of Iron Butterfly, passed away peacefully on May 24 at age 78, surrounded by family. As the creative force behind the legendary rock band, Ingle was instrumental in crafting their iconic hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida."


A founding member of Iron Butterfly in San Diego in 1966, Ingle helped establish the band alongside Jack Pinney, Greg Willis, and Danny Weis. After signing a record deal, the lineup evolved to include Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, and Erik Brann, with Ingle remaining as a cornerstone member.

The origin of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" has become rock legend. According to drummer Ron Bushy, Ingle composed the song one evening after consuming a gallon of Red Mountain wine. In his intoxicated state, his slurred pronunciation of "In the Garden of Eden" became "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," which Bushy transcribed phonetically, creating the iconic title.

Beyond his signature hit, Ingle co-wrote several other notable songs, including "Soul Experience," "In the Time of Our Lives," and "Easy Rider." After Iron Butterfly disbanded in 1971, he occasionally performed with former bandmates but didn't participate in the band's final two albums in 1975. Following a brief stint with Stark Naked and the Car Thieves in the early '70s, Ingle transitioned to managing an RV Park in the Los Angeles National Forest from 1974 to 1978.

The news of his passing was shared 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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