Page 25 - the NOISE February 2013

as “Nature’s Way,” “Dark Eyed Woman,” “1984,” “Morning Will Come,” and their sole Top 40 sin-
gle: “I Got A Line On You.”
In 1969, Spirit was offered the slot before
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. It would mean a slight disruption of their tour, but the band were enthusiastic to make it happen. Their management did not think the festival was going to be a big deal and forced them to turn it down. It was a unique opportunity missed.
On this tour, their opening act was Led Zep- pelin, who had just released their debut al- bum. It was their first trip to America. Randy was excited to meet Jimmy Page and tell him how honored they were to share the stage with a former Yardbird. To everyone’s surprise Led Zeppelin were huge Spirit fans, knew all their songs, and gushed at how honored THEY were to be sharing the same stage.
Touring with Spirit made a big impact on Led Zeppelin. They had worked up a jam which incorporated Spirit’s “Fresh-Garbage.” Midway through his solo, Cassidy would lose the drumsticks and play with his hands, slap- ping his open palms against the drum heads like congas. Zeppelin drummer John Bon- ham soon began doing the same.
Randy California had a Theremin mounted to his amp, which he theatrically messed with during a long guitar solo. Jimmy Page soon began doing the same.
Led Zeppelin’s fourth album contained the epic “Stairway To Heaven,” which elevated them to superstardom. The opening acous- tic guitar passage was a descending chord pattern in A minor which bore a suspicious resemblance to “Taurus,” a Randy California composition on Spirit’s first LP.
In 1970, Spirit’s roadie and roommate Bar- ret Hansen found an outlet for his vast musical knowledge and record collection and wacky personality. He put together a weekly radio show for a local Los Angeles station that fea- tured strange and funny songs from the past and present. Soon, his program was in syndi- cation all over America. Barret Hansen rechris- tened himself Dr. Demento and stepped into the pages of broadcast history.
Internal pressures splintered Spirit in late 1970. By then, Randy California had stopped caring. That September, Randy’s friend and mentor, Jimi Hendrix, had died in London
from choking due to barbituate intoxication. Randy was devastated. He grew up an only
Jimmy Page
child, but now knew what it felt like to lose a brother. For the first time in his life, he had no desire to play music.
Randy California quit Spirit in early 1971 and moved to Hawaii. Cassidy brought in re- placements and released a weak LP under the Spirit name. The replacements were replaced, and replaced again, but the band kept going. Randy California recorded a solo album in 1972 that featured Cassidy on drums. Finally in late 1974, Randy was persuaded to rejoin Spirit.
The musical bond between him and Cas- sidy solidified again. Spirit enjoyed a mid- 1970s rebirth and recorded more LPs. Old and new members came and went. There were brief reunions of the original lineup, but none lasted longer than a few shows. When record companies lost interest, Randy California built a studio in his house and released the band’s albums himself. They toured relentlessly, all over the world. For twenty-some years, Spirit consisted of Ed Cassidy, Randy California, and whoever else wanted to ride along.
In January 1997, as Spirit were about to mark their 30th anniversary, Randy and his 12 year old boy Quinn visited Bernice in Molokai, Hawaii. Father and son went for a swim and got caught in a riptide. Quinn began strug- gling and Randy swam him to safety. Quinn made it to shore; his father did not. The Pacific Ocean swallowed Randy California and they became one. His body was never found. He was 45 years old.
Randy’s death signaled the end of Spirit. Cassidy played a couple tribute shows with former members and then packed up his drums for good. He explored other interests, including writing and acting (he had a role on General Hospital.) He was always happy to talk to fans about the old days. On December 6, 2012, Ed Cassidy passed away at the age of 89.
Way back in 1968, Spirit titled their second album The Family That Plays Together. Randy California and Ed Cassidy were living exam- ples of the truth behind that hoary old adage. It’s a perfect summation of the spirit of Spirit.
— Tony BallZ
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