Rock Musician. He was the drummer with the music group "Spirit". Raised in Bakersfield, California, he was introduced to the drums at the age of fourteen. Following service with the United States Navy during World War II, he held such occupations as cab driver and salesman, prior to beginning an extensively diverse career in music which included participation within jazz, big band, polka and Latin ensembles in addition to working on motion picture soundtracks. After a short period as a music teacher, he was drawn back to live performances. By the mid 1960s, he had formed a band with his stepson Randy California named Spirit and under the guidance of record producer Lou Adler for his label Ode, the recorded their self-titled debut album which yielded their most prominent hit the Top-30 score "I Got a Line on You" (1969). The went onto release roughly 12 albums until 1996. Individually, Cassidy's playing style was influential to numerous drummers of the era including Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. Cassidy remained an active member of Spirit (with the exception of a few brief breaks) until Randy California's death in 1997.
Rock Musician. He was the drummer with the music group "Spirit". Raised in Bakersfield, California, he was introduced to the drums at the age of fourteen. Following service with the United States Navy during World War II, he held such occupations as cab driver and salesman, prior to beginning an extensively diverse career in music which included participation within jazz, big band, polka and Latin ensembles in addition to working on motion picture soundtracks. After a short period as a music teacher, he was drawn back to live performances. By the mid 1960s, he had formed a band with his stepson Randy California named Spirit and under the guidance of record producer Lou Adler for his label Ode, the recorded their self-titled debut album which yielded their most prominent hit the Top-30 score "I Got a Line on You" (1969). The went onto release roughly 12 albums until 1996. Individually, Cassidy's playing style was influential to numerous drummers of the era including Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. Cassidy remained an active member of Spirit (with the exception of a few brief breaks) until Randy California's death in 1997.
Bio by: C.S.
Advertisement
