In 1973, an unconventional instrumental packed with synths, saxophones and drum battles did something almost unheard of: it became the most popular song in America.
"Frankenstein" by The Edgar Winter Group climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, turning a sprawling live jam into one of the defining rock instrumentals of the decade.
But the song almost sounded very different.
Long before it became a hit, bandleader Edgar Winter had been performing the riff-heavy track live while playing with his brother, blues-rock guitarist Johnny Winter. Edgar used the song as a showcase for his multi-instrumental talents, jumping between keyboards, saxophone and drums during performances.
"I wrote that song back when I was playing with Johnny but I didn't ever think I'd come back to it with the Edgar Winter Group," Edgar said in a 2018 interview. The original riff was kind of bluesy and real simple so the band could just jam on it.
When the Edgar Winter Group recorded the track for their 1972 album They Only Come Out at Night, the original studio version reportedly stretched close to 20 minutes. At the time, it was simply called "The Instrumental."
Producer Rick Derringer suggested editing the massive jam into a tighter track, physically splicing tape together to create a more radio-friendly version. During the editing process, drummer Chuck Ruff reportedly remarked, "Wow, man, it's like Frankenstein," inspiring the now-famous title.
The final result sounded unlike almost anything else on pop radio at the time. Anchored by its muscular central riff, "Frankenstein" blended hard rock, jazz-inspired soloing and futuristic synthesizer effects into one seamless track.
The song also highlighted Winter's showmanship. Already known for pioneering the early "keytar" concept by wearing keyboards with a guitar strap, Winter brought a theatrical energy to the band's live performances that helped turn "Frankenstein" into a spectacle.
"I've always loved music," Edgar told Classic Bands. "There's a great deal of satisfaction for me in performing, in writing and seeing what you envision come into reality in the form of a record. I consider myself lucky to be able to make a living doing something I enjoy and making other people happy."
Originally released as a B-side, the instrumental gained momentum when DJs began favoring it over the intended single.
More than 50 years later, "Frankenstein" remains a rock classic and a reminder of a rare moment in chart history when a wildly experimental instrumental, built from a nearly 20-minute jam session, could rise all the way to No. 1.
Related: 1971 Soft Rock Classic, Banned by Some Radio Stations, Became a No. 1 Hit
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