Spirit

Spirit is one of the greatest yet nearly unknown psychedelic rock bands in music history. Founded in Los Angeles by father and son team of Ed Cassidy (drums) and Randy California (guitar/vocals), Spirit created trippy musical atmospheres of fuzzy guitar with a jazz and blues undertone. But they also explored folk songs in the midst of acid rock experimentation. At moments they are cousins to Barret-era Pink Floyd and the next they visit Lennon and McCartney type harmony. Before Spirit, Randy California played in Jimi Hendrix's first band in New York. The band featured two guys named Randy. Hendrix constantly confused the two so he called Randy, "California" because he was from L.A. The name stuck all these years later. Spirit had limited success int he late '60s with a couple radio hits including "I got a line on you," and "Fresh Garbage," but climaxed to perfection with the 1971 release of "The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus." It's a masterpiece of psychedelic rock that passed under the radar of most music critics and listeners following it's release. Spirit remained a performing group for over 20 years afterward until the death of Randy California in 1997. Ed Cassidy continues to perform the music of Spirit but hasn't officially launched a tour under the Spirit band name since Randy's passing a few years back. Take a ride with Spirit. Much like "The Doors," and other southern California rock bands of the early '70s, Spirit at times explores the darker side of the mind. This always seemed to be the difference between the psychedelic bands of L.A. and San Francisco. The L.A. bands simply rocked a little harder. Less flower and more power.