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Ed Cassidy

Edward Claude Cassidy (May 4, 1923 – December 6, 2012) was an American jazz and rock drummer who was one of the founders of the rock group Spirit in 1967.[1]

Ed Cassidy
Born(1923-05-04)May 4, 1923
Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
OriginBakersfield, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 6, 2012(2012-12-06) (aged 89)
San Jose, California, U.S.
GenresJazz, rock
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active1937–2012

Biography edit

Ed Cassidy was born in Harvey, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago on May 4, 1923. His family moved to Bakersfield, California in 1931. Cassidy began his career as a professional musician in 1937. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and after his discharge held many jobs before becoming a full-time musician again. At one time in the late 1940s, Cassidy played 282 consecutive one-nighters in 17 states. He worked in show bands, Dixieland, and country and western bands, and on film soundtracks, as well as having a brief stint with the San Francisco Opera.

In 1950, Cassidy enrolled at college to get a musical teaching credential. However, after a year, he decided to move to Southern California to meet more jazz musicians and perhaps form a group of his own. During this period, Cassidy performed together with many leading jazz musicians including Art Pepper, Cannonball Adderley, Roland Kirk, Lee Konitz and Gerry Mulligan.

With Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder, Cassidy formed the Rising Sons[2] in 1964. After that, he formed the Red Roosters in 1965, with his fourteen year-old stepson Randy California, Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes. Adding John Locke, they became Spirit in 1967. Cassidy sported a shaved head, which was unusual at that time,[3] and he always wore black. He used a single bass drum, and two large parade bass drums as floor toms. Because California stepped out of the group for a period of time in 1972, following the death of Jimi Hendrix, Cassidy was the only member who played with all various line-ups of Spirit on almost 20 albums over almost 30 years. Spirit finally disbanded following California's death in 1997. Cassidy later performed with Merrell Fankhauser in the Fankhauser Cassidy Band.[4]

From the mid-1970s, Cassidy also worked as an actor, including live improvisation. He wrote, studied history, and continued to correspond with fans from his residence in Southern California until his death. He died of cancer in San Jose at the age of 89 on 6 December 2012. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; a daughter, Carol Ann Griffith; a son Christian Padriack Cassidy; and several stepchildren and grandchildren.[5][6]

References edit

  1. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Spirit: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  2. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Rising Sons: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  3. ^ Pollstar
  4. ^ Mike Hodgson, "Ed Cassidy, of Spirit fame, dead at 89", Santa Maria Times, 8 December 2012
  5. ^ William Yardley, "Ed Cassidy, Drummer for the Experimental Group Spirit, Dies at 89", The New York Times, 11 December 2012
  6. ^ Obituary, Los Angeles Times

External links edit

  • Unofficial Ed Cassidy site

cassidy, australian, priest, edward, cassidy, edward, claude, cassidy, 1923, december, 2012, american, jazz, rock, drummer, founders, rock, group, spirit, 1967, born, 1923, 1923harvey, illinois, originbakersfield, california, dieddecember, 2012, 2012, aged, jo. For the Australian priest see Edward Cassidy Edward Claude Cassidy May 4 1923 December 6 2012 was an American jazz and rock drummer who was one of the founders of the rock group Spirit in 1967 1 Ed CassidyBorn 1923 05 04 May 4 1923Harvey Illinois U S OriginBakersfield California U S DiedDecember 6 2012 2012 12 06 aged 89 San Jose California U S GenresJazz rockInstrument s DrumsYears active1937 2012Biography editEd Cassidy was born in Harvey Illinois a south suburb of Chicago on May 4 1923 His family moved to Bakersfield California in 1931 Cassidy began his career as a professional musician in 1937 He served in the U S Navy during World War II and after his discharge held many jobs before becoming a full time musician again At one time in the late 1940s Cassidy played 282 consecutive one nighters in 17 states He worked in show bands Dixieland and country and western bands and on film soundtracks as well as having a brief stint with the San Francisco Opera In 1950 Cassidy enrolled at college to get a musical teaching credential However after a year he decided to move to Southern California to meet more jazz musicians and perhaps form a group of his own During this period Cassidy performed together with many leading jazz musicians including Art Pepper Cannonball Adderley Roland Kirk Lee Konitz and Gerry Mulligan With Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder Cassidy formed the Rising Sons 2 in 1964 After that he formed the Red Roosters in 1965 with his fourteen year old stepson Randy California Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes Adding John Locke they became Spirit in 1967 Cassidy sported a shaved head which was unusual at that time 3 and he always wore black He used a single bass drum and two large parade bass drums as floor toms Because California stepped out of the group for a period of time in 1972 following the death of Jimi Hendrix Cassidy was the only member who played with all various line ups of Spirit on almost 20 albums over almost 30 years Spirit finally disbanded following California s death in 1997 Cassidy later performed with Merrell Fankhauser in the Fankhauser Cassidy Band 4 From the mid 1970s Cassidy also worked as an actor including live improvisation He wrote studied history and continued to correspond with fans from his residence in Southern California until his death He died of cancer in San Jose at the age of 89 on 6 December 2012 He is survived by his wife Beverly a daughter Carol Ann Griffith a son Christian Padriack Cassidy and several stepchildren and grandchildren 5 6 References edit Ruhlmann William Spirit Biography Allmusic Retrieved 18 July 2011 Unterberger Richie Rising Sons Biography Allmusic Retrieved 18 July 2011 Pollstar Mike Hodgson Ed Cassidy of Spirit fame dead at 89 Santa Maria Times 8 December 2012 William Yardley Ed Cassidy Drummer for the Experimental Group Spirit Dies at 89 The New York Times 11 December 2012 Obituary Los Angeles TimesExternal links editUnofficial Ed Cassidy site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ed Cassidy amp oldid 1182774719, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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