1967: Spirit

 Dec, 04 - 2013   no comments   1960s Music


 

spiritmodelshoppromo2Spirit was a highly regarded rock band that achieved modest commercial success, charting 11 albums in the U.S. between 1968 and 1977.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1967 by musicians who had a mixture of rock, pop, folk, blues, classical, and jazz backgrounds, and who ranged in age from 16 to 44, the group had an eclectic musical style in keeping with the early days of progressive rock; they were as likely to play a folk ballad featuring fingerpicked acoustic guitar, a jazz instrumental full of imaginative improvisation, or a driving rhythm tune dominated by acid rock electric guitar playing.

The diverse tastes of the original quintet produced a hybrid style that delighted a core audience of fans but proved too wide-ranging to attract a mass following, and at the same time the musicians’ acknowledged talents brought them other opportunities that led to the breakup of the original lineup after four years and four albums, then kept them from committing fully to regroupings as their music began to be recognized in later years. While two bandmembers, singer/guitarist Randy California and drummer Ed Cassidy, maintained the Spirit name, the others came and went as their schedules allowed, such that the group never fulfilled its early promise, although, as a vehicle for California’s songwriting and guitar playing, it continued to produce worthwhile music until his death.

  • Psychedelic rock
  • progressive rock
  • hard rock
  • jazz rock
  • Pop/Rock
  • Art Rock
  • Garage
  • Contemporary Pop/Rock
  • March 15, 1969
  • 1967–1973
  • 1974-1979
  • 1982–1997

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  • Randy California – guitar, vocals (1967-1972, 1974-1979, 1982-1997) d. 1997
  • Ed Cassidy – drums (1967-1972, 1974-1979, 1982-1997) d.2012
  • John Locke – keyboards (1967-1972, 1976, 1982-1985, 1988-1989) d. 2006
  • Mark Andes – bass (1967-1971, 1974, 1976, 1982-1985, 1988-1989)
  • Jay Ferguson – vocals, percussion (1967-1971, 1976, 1982-1985)
  • John Arliss – bass (1971)
  • Al Staehely – bass, lead vocals (1971-1973)
  • John Christian Staehely – guitar, vocals (1971-1973)
  • Stu Perry – drums (1972-1973)[3]
  • Barry Keene – bass (1974-1976)
  • Benji – keyboards (1975)
  • Matt Andes – guitar, vocals (1976, 1995-1997)
  • Larry “Fuzzy” Knight – bass, vocals (1976-1979)
  • Terry Anderson – vocals (1976-1977)
  • Scott Monahan – keyboards, bass, vocals (1985-1988, 1990-1995)
  • Dave Waterbury – bass, vocals (1985-1988)
  • Mike Nile – bass, vocals (1990-1993)
  • George Valuck – keyboards (1990-1995)
  • Steve “Liberty” Loria – bass, vocals (1993-1997)
  • Rachel Andes – vocals (1995-1997)
  • Walter Egan – bass, vocals (1997)
Year Album
1968 Spirit
The Family That Plays Together
1969 Clear
1970 Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
1972 Feedback
1975 Spirit of ’76
1975 Son of Spirit
1976 Farther Along
1977 Future Games
1981 The Adventures of Kaptain Kopter & Commander Cassidy in Potato Land
1984 The Thirteenth Dream/Spirit of ’84
1988 Rapture in the Chambers
1990 Tent of Miracles
1996 California Blues
2005 Model Shop (Soundtrack)
Year Album
1968 Mechanical World
I Got A Line On You
1969 Dark Eyed Woman
1984
1970 Animal Zoo
Mr. Skin
1971 Nature’s Way
1972 Mr. Skin [reissue]
Cadillac Cowboys
1975 Lady of the Lakes
Holy Man
1976 Farther Along
1980 Turn to the Right

 

 

 

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  • Ode Records
  • Epic Records
  • Repertoire Records
  • Mercury Records
  • Rhino Records
  • Beggars Banquet Records
  • Line Records


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