Died On This Date (December 6, 2012) Ed Cassidy / Founding Drummer Of Spirit
themusicsover 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.
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