On Sept. 20, there is going to be a rock show at Jazzbones that lovers of great hard rock bands of the 1960s will not want to miss. Goldy McJohn, former keyboardist for Steppenwolf, is headlining with his band Goldy McJohn and Friendz, and Leon Hendrix, younger brother of Jimi Hendrix, will open. It does not get much better than that.

In their day, Steppenwolf were trailblazers in the rock arena, producing a long list of hits like “Magic Carpet Ride” and that anthem of the rock ‘n’ roll life “Born to be Wild.” At Jazzbones, Goldy McJohn and Friendz will play these and other Steppenwolf hits along with some originals and cover tunes of songs suggested that night by the audience. The playlist “will vary depending on what the audience screams at us,” as McJohn put it.

Hendrix has built quite a name for himself over the years he has been making music just like his older brother did, although Leon’s work stands completely on its own rather than being a copy of his brother’s work. McJohn calls him “an absolute phenomenon. People just want to touch him,” as a way of making contact with Jimi the rock god who left the world before he barely even got started.

Leon Hendrix has released two albums, 2005’s “Keeper of the Flame” with his band Leon Hendrix Mysterience, and his debut solo album “Tricked by the Sun,” which just came out this year.

After a long hiatus from music, McJohn said he is more than ready to get back into it again, and this show at Jazzbones is part of his “recovery,” so to speak. For many years McJohn and former Steppenwolf leader John Kay have been at odds over several things connected to the iconic band’s legacy including royalties and rights to the band name. McJohn said he lives on Social Security, which speaks volumes on how he fared in the fracas, and his disillusionment that ensued amid the conflicts with his former band mate simply burned him out. “I was disgusted by these so-called friends to let that happen to me,” he said.

Today, though, McJohn has come full circle back to the heart of what matters most - the music - and he is loving every minute of it.

“I’m having a great time, like a weight has been lifted off my back and I want to play again.”

McJohn credits his friend and guitar player in the “Friendz,” Glen Bui, with providing that extra push McJohn needed to bring him back to the stage and recording studio. “The guitar work that Glen does makes me feel so at home and so comfortable that he compares to anyone who has ever been in Steppenwolf.” Bui has played with many greats, including Eddie Money and Tower of Power, among others.

McJohn’s band also includes Laurie Miller on bass. McJohn noted her slap-bass style was taught to her by Sly Stone’s bass player and called her “one of the finest bass players I’ve heard in years.”

Completing the “Friendz” are Paulie Ventura on lead vocals, former Steppenwolf guitarist Kent Henry, and Jack Rabbit English on drums.

“I’m very happy with my new band,” McJohn said. “We just want to learn more and more songs that are originals. I’m not going to do this ending up as a lounge act or tribute band or some garbage like that. I’ve worked too hard.”

Leon Hendrix opens the show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 advance, $10 at the door. For more information, visit www.jazzbonestacoma.com.