Spencer Dryden
April 7, 1938 – January 11, 2005
Spencer Dryden is best remembered as a drummer for ’60s rock bands, Jefferson Airplane and New Riders of the Purple Sage. Born to a half-brother of Charlie Chaplin, Dryden grew up in Los Angeles where his father worked for the actor. Much of Dryden’s childhood was spent on movie sets and later, jazz clubs that his father frequented. In 1966, Dryden was hired by the Jefferson Airplane to replace Skip Spence who had left to form Moby Grape. Because of his background, Dryden brought some jazz improv into the band’s live sets. After Jefferson Airplane’s infamous altercation with the Hell’s Angels at the Altamont concert, Dryden decided to leave the group. From 1970 to 1977, Dryden played in New Riders of the Purple Sage, and soon thereafter, for psychedelic supergroup, the Dinosaurs. He retired in 1995. Spencer Dryden was reportedly living in poverty during the final years of his life and died of colon cancer on January 11, 2005.
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