Ed Cassidy
May 4, 1923 – December 6, 2012
Ed “Cass” Cassidy was the co-founding drummer of the psychedelic rock band, Spirit. With his stepson, Randy California at the helm, the Los Angeles band formed in 1967 and went on to score a top 25 hit with 1968’s “I Got A Line On You,” one of the era’s most durable songs. Cassidy launched his music career back in 1937 before serving in the Navy during WWII. Upon his discharge, he got back to playing in various country bands, show bands and Dixieland combos. He even briefly played with the San Francisco Opera. He also reportedly played 282 consecutive one-night-stands in 17 different states in 1940. Cassidy moved to the Los Angeles area during the early ’50s to focus more on jazz, and during his early years there, he played with the likes of Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, and Cannonball Adderley. In 1964, he formed the Rising Sons with Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder. That was followed by the Red Roosters who morphed into Spirit in 1967. He went on to perform and record with different variations of Spirit for the next 40 years. Away from music, worked as an actor, appearing on General Hospital, among other television shows and films. Ed Cassidy was 89 when he passed away on December 6, 2012.
Thanks to Bruce Kilgour of Slipped Disc Entertainment for the assist.
What You Should Own
SUPERSTAR!!! Rest in peace Brother.
Very sad news, such a nice guy.
What a great guy and fantastic drummer. Had a chance to meet him & Randy in 1993, what friendly guys they were, and now reunited…Rock on, Ed, rock on…
I'll always love Spirit – Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus is one of the all time great psychedelic albums – RIP Ed Kevin Cassidy.
What a sad day.
He lived a long, full life, left his mark, certainly and had much joy when he played. Under-rated for sure. I wonder if they had made it to Woodstock how big they would have been…….
Ask any fan. They were giants in a heartless industry.
Hey my grandfather was Ed Cassidy.
you are one blessed individual….Cass is one great dude to me.
Ed Cassidy was my foster Dad’s Brother (Robert “BOB” Cassidy)
I knew Ed’s Mom and stepfather, sister Nita.I lived with Bob and was around all of the family when Ed was putting out his first “Spirit” Album. Ed was a very nice guy. sadly Bob has also passed away. Im very glad to have the memories of the Casssidy family. I did see Ed at Bobs funeral in Bakersfield.
R.I.P. Ed,
Its wonderful to see people who know who my grandfather was as a fan of music and got to do what he loved for a living thanks for the memories
My husband at the time of Randy's passing was the bass player in Spirit. They wrote and recorded their last album Tent of Miraciles at our house we called Nileland in our recording studio. I got to know Randy and Cass because my husband Mike Nile was in the band for several years. I feel fortunate to have bonded with them on a personal level aside from the music scene. They were both just human beings struggling, missing the old flame. On Tent of Miraciles, their last record, they both expressed a yearning for authentic burning eternal love and freedom. RIP Randy & Cass.
Well written. Beautiful heartfelt sentiments.
Great band saw them twice in boston!
Spirit was a delightful group with lots of energy and good vibes. Sorry that Ed has left us. Peace unto him.