Spirit ~ Rockpalast 1978 (Full concert)

[@1blastman]

Thumbs up if you feel Spirit should be in the R & R Hall of Fame. It'll add some class to Cleveland!

[@elizabethmcleod246]

Absolutely!

[@KittyGrizGriz]

The so called Fame isn’t what it used to be, better to not get in it @ this late point in time.

[@TIO540S1]

They are too great for the current status of the R&R HOF.

[@rickhazen5227]

I would agree with you if it was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame like it used to be, but now they have rappers, hip hop, country singers,and who knows what else in there it's really not the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame anymore. It's just the music hall of fame. Just like everything else in this world trying to be equal they have ruined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

[@Wildlonesome77]

Yes!!!

[@alfredpaul8732]

Ich war live dabei ... mit Randy California und Ed Cassidy an Fuzzy Night !!!

[@Kmarty2000]

Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus was a masterpiece the day it was released, and remains one all these years later. Stunning.

[@thomastinglan2378]

It's natures way.

[@divergentcontrolyourmama]

Yes I completely agree with you about 12 dreams

[@bobapple7231]

12 dreams so cool

[@johnmattern7196]

My god what a band

[@leonardbonitt3586]

12 Dreams in my top 5 favorite albums of all time

[@pgo301]

What a great great band, but I think the most incredible thing was the way An Angel Randy California (Randy Wolfe) was, by giving his life for the saving of his son. What a life, what a life, what a life and what an exceptional selfless departure.

[@cosmicman621]

Amen..Patrick✌️🌹

[@KittyGrizGriz]

So very true, have visited Moloka’i, HI & it’s truly paradise, he’s a hero for his son, sad story

[@deniseschriedel5276]

Randy was inspirational to me & allowed me to play keyboards on his last album CALIFORNIA BLUES on the song "Call on Me"...I also videotaped several of his concerts in Florida 1976 & Detroit, MI 1978. Fun times & beyond!

[@FriendtoAnimals-ol7gr]

@Denise Schriedel, Wow Thats way cool. My 1st time seeing Spirit was about '74 at the Terrace Ballroom in Salt Lake City.I was tripping in the front row and security was keeping us 15 ft. back from the stage.Randy came of the stage playing to the backs of security and drew everyone slowly back to the front of stage. Such an important concert to me. I saw them again in the late 80's in a small venue. I was furious that Black Oak Arkansas played 1st.Spirit was light years ahead of them musically. I always felt Spirit deserved to be playing LARGE venues and deserved much more acclaim.Stay cool and take care Denise.🌈✌🎸☮🕉🤗 🐕🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

[@georgefordham417]

Wow. What a time that was for you.

[@markthomas1668]

please get those videos posted Denise :)

[@deniseschriedel5276]

@@markthomas1668 Hey Mark...just memories now...Thanks for the post!

[@davechae5890]

Uthegirl

[@gerdmuhlberger5564]

Unbelievable,Drummer Ed Cassidy's age at this concert was 55,he died 2012 at the age of 89.Great gig!

[@dougmphilly]

my buddy and i saw spirit at a nightclub in philadelphia circa 1983. the second show was not sold out and they invited those that saw the first show to stay. we decided to do and my buddy gets to talk a spell ed at the bar. cool night.

[@studamanduncan9728]

Good innings then,as we Brits say.

[@dennissweeney6774]

You know Randy California step dad is the drummer. Only got to see them once in the late 80 or early 90 at wetlands in NYC it was a good show LONG LIVE ROCK

[@loyaldude10]

that is truly unbelievable. you would never know his age looking at his energy

[@Lorenzo1950]

I'm 69 and still playing rock, blues and jazz. I hate lugging heavy drums now so I have downsized.

[@frankstecker5675]

Einer der grossen Gitarristen 🎸 das rockpalast Konzert gehört zum besten was ich live gesehen haben..die Vielfalt eines Musiker wie randy california sein Stiefvater Ed cassidy..und am Bass. Larry.. fuzzy.knight..bringt die halle zum beben..Hammer klasse.. great.Spirit..🎸.

[@travelinben1966]

Musician, artist, poet, father, hero.R.I.P. Randy.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mattychapati]

Once I had the pleasure to shake Ed's hand. Spirt were playing The Borderline, Charring Cross, London 1985. I jumped on stage at the end of the gig and shook his hand. His hand was massive. I said "You're a top class drummer, and I love the music of Spirit." He said "Gee thanks. I just love coming over here and playing to you guys." And that was it before I was whisked off the stage by security. I was tripping on some really good acid and I remember dancing all the way through the gig. I couldn't believe that there was only thirty or so people in the audience. I saw the gig advertised in the centre pages of the NME, and among lots of bands names in small print was 'SPIRIT.' I took the chance and me and three friends went along and we were all blown away. They were a three piece but their sound was so full. The music was amazing and I felt like I'd been beamed up to a celestial planet where the sonic vibrations of their music held me in a rapture of ecstasy. I remember after the gig sitting in my mates old V8 rover, and he was driving and couldn't find his way out of central London due to the acid. We drove around for hours but eventually made it back home to suburbia. Many years later I played The Borderline with a band that I was drumming for and as I walked down the stairs of the venue there was a list of all of the bands that had played there. Low and behold there it was.. SPIRT. 1985 R.I.P. Randy and Ed and thank you for your music. _/|\_

[@justinnscanlon]

This is an absolute delight. Repeated viewing is rewarding. 'Nuff said. Love to all who appreciate it and to those who don't too.

[@adrianbeaumont6745]

Wow what a cool band. The more you listen to them the more you want to listen again. RIP Randy and Ed 🙏🌈

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

The Family That Plays Together... has consistently been in my top ten favourite albums list since I bought it n 1969. A really intelligent, engaging and wonderful band.

[@777RockNRollin]

Spirit !! Always ahead of their time with Great songs, the best lyrics, etc,... an awesome band that way too many people today have forgotten to think about ,.... please don't get so caught up in the Kinks and the Who and Bowie and Zep and Zappa that you forget how awesome Spirit was ,..............

[@srvenenoforte]

Led Zep was the best rock band ever in the planet. Sorry to tell you this. 😅😅

[@FriendtoAnimals-ol7gr]

@77RockNRollin, I will never forget the Geatness and influence that SPIRIT had on me and others. Tripping in the front row in '74 was such a divine experience.They deserved much more acclaim. Keep Rocking 77 🎸✌☮🌈

[@FriendtoAnimals-ol7gr]

@@srvenenoforte Maybe so but I get the feeling you never experienced Spirit??

[@joeblevins1058]

@@srvenenoforte Led Zeppelin sucked live. Bonham drunk and smacked out. Page big time junkie. LOL..

[@dennisdaley2211]

@@srvenenoforte Sorry to say you're wrong!

[@jftman53]

In 1976-7 Spirit was playing a little club in NYC. I was in the Army on a weekend trip. I had on a Jimi Hendrix t-shirt , I took it off and walked up to him on stage, offered him the T and he took it. Miss him and admire him.

[@juanpablosolorio3690]

What a way to begin the concert! Ed cassidy, drum beating! Randy awsome! RIP both.

[@johnfletcher7648]

How can we not miss Randy..the guitar work on its all the same...and downer...and so much more of his work..enjoying note for note...

[@MaynardJamesKeller]

I did a light show with them in '67 (the lineup was Spirit, Moby Grape, Country Joe and the Fish. Great all the way round and back in the days when concert tickets were less than $5...!!). And they and Country Joe are still in my playlist rotations.... ...with Fresh Garbage as true a statement as it ever was...

[@kcshack1]

Right on. Just discovered the band Spirit because a recent local news broadcast concerning they never approached Zeppelin about plagiarizing Taurus. Glad this article surfaced otherwise I would have never researched this band and got to enjoy them as we have for two weeks now. Randy didnt have a great voice but his having fun with it is infectious. He wrote his own songs on their albums so he had a right to sing them. I wish he hadnt though. If he hadnt they would have got the recognition they deserved. One of the best bans ever as we see it now except Randy's voice bless his heart

[@AltheRad]

Lucky you for sure!! Keep on keepin on young fella from a 71 Y.O.

[@galetinm]

@@kcshack1 Well, they did. It didn't end well.

[@swoopdog54]

I was able to jam with Jerry Miller (from Moby Grape)quite a few years ago in Parkland, Wa. A true gentleman and fantastic player. Ah, those were the days!

[@charlesholmquist4148]

Maynard, do you know my cousin Greg voss out of Illinois n Wisconsin. Charles holmquist. [e-mail]

[@76Aston]

Back in 1975 I was on a road trip with a friend in his old van. We ended up in southern California, and one evening while cruising the strip at some beach I notice the name 'Randy California' on a sign outside a little nightclub... Of course, we went in! I'll always remember that evening seeing the late Randy California shred the guitar with his teeth while ripping "All Along the Watchtower". "Purple Haze" among other great tunes... What a night!

[@FighterPilot1945]

Michael Lax hi from uk wow what a great nights experience for you im old guy now but these kinda lifes experiences stay with us forever!..

[@Bryan-fv7sf]

He died way to young dam seen 100 concerts or so never seen Randy rip never seen Steve Marriot rip Ronnie Montrose rip is a class act great guy met him 3 times last was Vegas only 5 people maybe more people played pool only $10 we talked after he had a guitarist from sonic youth he was Koo walked up after show gave me his pic said he only had one on stage he apologized fuckin Koo I was yelling to him for his pic great show

[@normansmith9378]

I remember watching the live broadcast through the night back in 1978 in Germany, great show - Spirit played along with Mother's Finest and Dickie Betts and the great Southern that night.

[@PaBasser]

I was in West Germany that same night and recorded the concert over the radio. I remember Dickie Betts being on the same bill. That’s so cool. Such a small world. I still have the cassette tape too. Gone way too soon

[@ivansandvik1567]

It as broadcast in Norway too, remember this great consert!

[@dennisdaley2211]

Nice!

[@King3star]

Hendrix's influence on California is undeniable. Fantastic!

[@richardhincemon9423]

They used to play together in a band called Jimmy James and the blue flames around 1966 in New York!

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

@@richardhincemon9423 Hendrix gave him the nickname Randy California to distinguish from another guy in the band named Randy Palmer, who was called "Randy Texas" Story went that Jimi wanted Randy to come to England and be the other second guitarist for his band (the future Experience), but since Randy was only 15, his parents wouldn't allow it.

[@roseblake5803]

OMG : Randy was breathtakingly gorgeous and what a performer. This is how you should treat your audience. What a fantastic show!!

[@kaysmith5495]

Hell yeh!! Gorgeous! Now that I see him on You Tube, I can see how great looking a man he was. I wish I could have met him in the 90's before his death. Terrible loss of all that talent. I think he would have been a very interesting person to meet and talk to (as well as look at). I always thought they were a very underrated band.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Yes he was!! Some are comparing him to Will Ferrel 🤦‍♀️

[@tomschmitt6911]

the guy w/the wart on his nose...????? WTF

[@roseblake5803]

@@tomschmitt6911 -It takes a real man like you to say WTF 😳 What a joke you are keyboard Cowboy 🤠

[@davemac1888]

My favorite band from the late 60’s and through the 70’s . . . Always loved Randy’s guitar 🎸 work and voice, and of course Ed on the drums 🥁 👍

[@danielcallahan3977]

This ending is as good as any live encore ever. The longest, the best longest. Spirit lives today in 2014, you never went anywhere. RIP Mr. Cassidy, a drummer for all time.

[@michaelleroi9077]

He’s the best! I met him once

[@hapax87]

Wasn't Ed Cassidy Randy California's step-father ?

[@cosmicman621]

@@hapax87 ..yep

[@michaelolz]

I loved this band the moment I heard them in a Google Play 60s psychedelic rock playlist. The artistry! The unbelievable musicality. So far ahead of its time. Pure genius.

[@joeosorio3337]

I met Randy that summer in NY.... the COOLEST dude nice people always treated me good at their shows but he was like that with everyone RIP

[@jonneredd]

i saw them at my fathers place,,and the bottom line ,,great band,,

[@pauldaley6382]

Such a sad death. Did randy's son go into a music career.?

[@Monkeyspankerelite]

He died like the hero he was. Saving his 12 year old son from drowning, but drowned himself. R.I.P.

[@lauranardoni5626]

@@pauldaley6382 He is a classical pianist now!

[@pauldaley6382]

@@lauranardoni5626 Hope he is enjoying life and his music.!!!!

[@hapax87]

I was fortunate to have seen Spirit in concert in Tampa, 1976 I think, at Curtis Hixon Hall. Randy was always one of my favorite guitarists. It's a shame Randy is rarely mentioned in the list of great guitarists. He is criminally under-rated !!

[@carlbroom14]

Mr Randy California and Dickie Betts two of the finest guitarists at work!Ed Cassidy on Drums doesn’t get better and fabulous bass player!Ed Cassidy was one of the oldest drummers at that time active!What a player! Rest in Peace Randy!!!

[@stevesosman3577]

Somehow they reached the ultimate with 12 Dreams...it is perfect...the best then and the best now and always....

[@ethericlimerick2992]

12 Dreams was like Floyd's Dark Side... everything just seemed to come together so perfectly. A friend turned me on to Dr. Sardonicus in '76 and it's been required listening as well as what we refer to as a "speaker checker" ever since!

[@stevesosman3577]

Well said!

[@chippihc52]

Spirit was an awesome band...Caught 'em once at the Fillmore East on a 1970 triple bill with the Kinks and the wonderful Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. (God bless ya Bill Graham for that triple bill...) But there's so much talent in this band, Randy California of course, but also Jay Ferguson, John Locke, and Marc Andes...and Ed Cassidy is one of the great unsung drumming heroes of that era! Thanks for posting that!

[@lukemanify]

I'm into your words completely. Saw the gig on tv then without knowing anythin bout Spirit and that was it for me. Sardonicus, Potatoland, huh

[@davedowns8141]

I also saw Spirit at the Fillmore East.It was 1969 and they were the middle band opening for CCR.Spirit rocked.

[@davidklauber8082]

was also at that concert and agree with you. Also saw the London Rainbow concert, same tour as this video

[@microlistener]

I hitchhiked from LIU n Southampton to see that show at the Fillmore . Whole show was unbelievable ! Nice to hear from someone who was there.

[@davidklauber8082]

was fortunate enough to see the ccr show as well. best was the steve paul scene for the family that plays together tour. had almost no money and had to bum money in penn station to get home. great show with early van morrison and holy modal rounders. spirit were outstanding. saw them every chance i could and they never disappointed

[@geheimratk1288]

I saw them in that night live on TV with Mother`s Finest, 14 years old, what an experience. Their music and many other bands and artists escorted me my whole life, Rock`n Roll never dies. 😎

[@DEADMANSJOURNAL]

The drumming is so simple and clean and ahh, I love Spirit!

[@hapax87]

Ed started out as a jazz drummer like Ginger Baker did.

[@vaneipontes3279]

I was there / Great Show 🎵🎼🎶🎸👊 "Randy Califórnia" (R.I.P)

[@PaBasser]

I was stationed in Germany at that time with the US Army. Taped it off the radio feed

[@carolpacquer7304]

My boyfriend and I saw Spirit many times in the early 70's in Connecticut. They used to play often at the University of Hartford and this is just the way I remember them.

[@timmungenast]

Unlike most rock videos, they actually keep the camera on the soloist during solos! How novel! Good for them!

[@stephennunn6045]

Spirit. Played at the parking lot at Thomas Mall. In 1986. I think. Ferguson, Cassidy, Randy, Locke, And some horn guy that was terrific. I lived close by. My first house. In Phoenix AZ.

[@nickrice7535]

I saw Spirit play every chance I could while living in California in the latest 70s early 80s. Always my favorite.

[@chowtime2]

The Family That Plays Together. What a masterpiece! When I first heard "Aren't You Glad" on underground FM radio, I was blown away. It was '67 or '68, but my favorite on that LP was "Poor Richard". What an awakening right after "Silky Sam". Although somewhat under-rated, Spirit is one of my top five favorite bands.

[@mdwarsh]

That LP also has a great song called Jewish. Randy California would in the Hall of Fame of Jewish electric guitarists, alongside Mike Bloomfield, Peter Green, Mark Knopfler, and Leslie West. Any others I've forgotten?

[@chowtime2]

@@mdwarsh Try listening to that song on acid.

[@kennyglesga]

Oh man, to find this concert of the band Spirit has made my day, and night. How great were they? fantastic band!

[@caribman10]

I saw them twice at The Fillmore East. Brilliant band live. This was back when you actually could play different kinds of rock and roll and still have a fan following. Not nearly as much pigeon holing as there is now, when if you don't play a VERY SPECIFIC TYPE of rock and roll you won't get any airplay.

[@saltybildo9448]

ZAPPA

[@dennisdaley2211]

What??

[@1blastman]

I saw them at the Fillmore East also, still have the program from the show. Randy's guitar playing blew me away.

[@bobdudy7177]

Ed was in a Class all unto itself. Loved Spirit, and Ed Cassidy just made Drumming Fun and Exciting; as it should be.

[@Not2shabbe]

Ed teched his drums himself he was really awesome

[@kennichols336]

Synth way over powers just about everything. Love watching Cassidy work it out.

[@rogeeeferrari]

Everybody talking about Ed, Randy was unreal, unbelievable... Great video...

[@1119clayton]

I'm a product of the 60s and 70s jam... and it's hard to believe I never heard of this band until today....I've been listening to this music for 12 hours straight... Hendix reincarnated!!!!!! Unbelievable Jamming!!!! And I learn Randy California died so tragically too! Life is so precious just to allow you to experience such talent!

[@monicajean37]

Randy's death was tragic, he died saving his son who was drowning .😥

[@bobbennert1132]

yes you must haved lived in a cave not to know these guys

[@crowhaven200]

@@bobbennert1132 hhmm in the early 70's I was living in a cave.. but I knew already about Spirit. Never got to see them live tho.

[@gregholmes1289]

Randy California played with Jimi Hendrix before Jimi formed the Experience.

[@biggriz2211]

They were a big band in LA. I don't know how big they were nationally.

[@petrascheiblich6191]

Ich habe selbst Spirit damals im Rockpalast Live in Essen/Grugahalle Germany erlebt.....man was konnte der Gitarre spielen, wie Hendrix..... sogar mit den Zähnen konnte er sie spielen!! Superklasse.......😉👍👍👍🎵🎼🎶🎤🎸👍🎶🎼🎵🎤🎸💕🌷💖

[@fastrelief]

Happy Birthday and may you rest in peace Mr.Skin Ed Cassidy, fabolous drummer, unfinished taste, tasty fills and fantastic style. I hope you and Randy are jammin' non stop with smiles on your faces and peace all around.

[@diddywahdaddy]

Damn, how GREAT this is! I remember seeing this live on television in the middle of the night at 15. I had our family TV set (a tiny b&w Tandberg, long gone) moved into my room and recorded the audio through an old '50's mono mike (another Tandberg product) in one channel on my newly bought cassette stereo deck (of unknown origin), the other 'mike' being my cheap headphones. It actually worked, and I played the tape again and again for many years, loving it to pieces.

[@timcastens1150]

I saw them on the Spirit of 76 tour at the Armadillo in Austin, what an incredible show that was

[@snowpine27]

Spirit and Randy! Much enjoyed back in he day. Randy has quite a history in how he grew up as a an artist

[@laurelbravdica8620]

Spirit ! I loved this band !

[@hapax87]

Yes, Randy met Jimi Hendrix in New York City and was invited to play in Jimi's first band , Jimi James and the Blue Flames.

[@matthewwilliams7735]

Randy lost his life saving his son's life, I'm sure his spirit soars in heaven, this may not be the classic line up but he's doing what he loves I like it.

[@SDsailor7]

How did he saved his son's life? What was the circumstances?

[@matthewwilliams7735]

@@SDsailor7 they were swimming in the ocean in Hawaii and his son got caught in a riptide, Randy managed to pull him away from it but got pulled in himself got tired and drown.

[@SDsailor7]

@@matthewwilliams7735 Thank you/ I did not know that.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Molokai HI

[@ytubepaul]

Superb iconic rock. I saw them at the Rainbow Theatre in London on the same tour. Their support band was The Police with Mr Sting hehe. I love this concert.

[@RoryGallagherRarities]

Just got the album of that show, must've been quite the experience =) Great versions of Stone Free & All Along The Watchtower

[@PurpleRecords1972]

The much missed RC - saw him the following year on a UK tour with Ian Gillan - his set was f'in awesome. Never forget his bass layer was called Memphis, must have been 7Ft tall - Thanks for the music Randy.....

[@manoftheworld1000]

I still remember us friends sitting next to the tv screen listening to this great concert all night - that "Spirit" being a criminally underrated band, by the way. We spent many nights like that - long live Rockpalast!!!

[@lisalinnae9844]

A truly talented group... surfaced at a time... with a message. Love them

[@phactreerat]

My very first concert was Spirit in 1977 at the Royal Oak Music theater.

[@NancySherman-m6w]

12 Dreams of Dr. S my all time favorite! Love this group. Should be in Hall of Fame🙏🏻

[@paulfreitag6516]

I saw Spirit at the Winterland Arena San Francisco.10-31-1977,With Ike and Tina Turner I was in the middle of the crowd center stage as Spirit left the stage last encore.I shouted out give me your drum sticks to Ed Cassidy.To my delight and total suprise ,Ed walked out center stage and handed them to me.I still have them today.Sadly one of my so called friends just A total asshole broke the tip off of one of the sticks I glued it back years ago.It was A great show and time.

[@stevenhyden4166]

I saw Spirit twice, the classic lineup in the late 60s at a sports arena and trio in the 70s at the Bottom Line NYC. Two wonderful shows.

[@jimmyleon2983]

I saw Spirit in St. Louis in 1982. Randy, Ed, & an known bass player. They performed a great show!

[@HarmonyFlix]

The moog Taurus pedals are used by countless bands, Rush, Yes and Genesis among them and it is not annoying, the problem is its volume is high up in the mix, bring it down a little and it will add a nice color and timbre to the songs.

[@onenamlit3861]

....especially when you don't hit the wrong pedal.

[@rosskstar]

Is that the recurring Tornado Warning sound?

[@frankmurphyburr3598]

I had this on video, the mix was stunning

[@Doones51]

JImi gave him the name California when Randy was in Jimi's band in NY. You can hear Hendrix's influence on Randy, but he takes it on his own trip. This is a great show. Thank you Rockpalast! Not to forget Ed Cassidy's powerful jazzy drumming. RIP to both. You gave us some fantastic original music.

[@rolfott7423]

I watched this live on TV that night. It was already 4 a.m. when they entered the stage. What an amazing concert.

[@BakHokPoi59]

well, it was amazing ...I remember this night very well, too. One of those Rockpalast concerts I will always remember.

[@ThePhilpix]

I've seen them in 1981 at the venue theater in London. That day with 4 friends we jump in an alpha romeo julietta, drove from brussels to ostende on the belgium coast, embarqued on the boat cross the chanel, drove from dover to London. It was a great concert with amasings guitar solos and ed playing the drums with is hands without sticks. I should say we were higth on lsd that nigth. well an unforgetable souvenir.

[@kenderen3736]

A great band that i think should have got way more recognition for their masterful songs.

[@johnmcfarland6168]

I seen this band at The Terrace Ballroom in SLC several times. loved them!

[@stillbill9937]

I dig Randy California's voice, when I saw them in 69 they were doing all there music from the second album, there best stuff, also Nature's Way witch was ahead of its time.

[@1GoPenguins]

Again i say, still love Spirit & Randy California - Randy performed with his heart & soul !!! So Awesome...Great Band & Mr. Skins! So hoping this be remastered and I can watch this full concert on a new CD sometime soon!

[@Connie-B]

Spirit!! I really liked these guys back when. Mechanical World , Mr Skin, Nature's Way, I Got A Line On You, were cool songs as were some of their others. No, they weren't real popular but to some of us back in late 60's early 70's, we dug these guys. Granted this concert wasn't too great but some of their albums were good!!

[@1stSaintsFan]

Down here in Louisiana Spirit was also a kind of Underground band that we all loved, but you never really heard much commercial buzz, which suited us just fine. Dr. Sardonicus was always on the party turntables along with Little Feat.

[@essertpitay]

Such an underrated band, never understood why.

[@robbang.1679]

I suppose it might have something to do with some pretty horrible singing. And then there's that little problem of not writing very interesting lyrics.

[@essertpitay]

Lyrics are so important in the success of a song.

[@SkyleCulley]

Wonder why they were underrated myself? We saw 'Em twice in '77 at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, Ca. A-mazing show. !2 Dreams Album STILL after all these years the BEST ALBUM ALL TIME... Sorry Beatles...

[@robbang.1679]

+MetalMachineManiac Right... Because I do other stuff even better... Bottom line: Their singing stank. Their music was boring. They were too ugly. Their musicianship was wank. What else don't you understand?

[@mlhesler68]

Robban G. I understand you know nothing about music. Spirit blazed a trail in jazz, blues and rock fusion. Enough said.

[@jimgray3989]

Saw the originals while in high school, 1970, maybe 71' or 72' in Phoenix. A huge fan and played their music so often. Loving what they are doing here, simply GREAT!

[@barrytreasure5047]

You MTV / Internet raised kids would never understand the previous generations who could not see their favorite bands live until they came to town on tour and rarely late at night on weekend concert TV shows like Midnight Special or Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. Back then it was not about lip-synching to studio tracks while playing "live" but the experience of hearing and seeing the band live as a memorable thing unto itself and audiences were very forgiving if a band didn't sound like a studio recording. Don't judge a Classic '57 Chevy by today's automobiles and expect it to make sense why it was popular back then. What, no GPS or video rear view camera? Tuners were your ears back then too btw.

[@MetalheadYA]

Barry Treasure Totally agree Barry. And remember when you were at a show back then and band members were tuning up between tunes?.. It was almost like a tribal thing. It was kinda magical and all they were doing was tuning up.. Those days are long gone.. God bless utube for allowing us to relive the best days of rock n roll....

[@hapax87]

Barry, I could not have said it better myself. As a child of the 60-70s era, I was as media deprived as the modern kids are "musicianship" deprived.

[@scottmichael742]

Great comment. I grew up in the 60's and early 70's and my dad used to play the 33 1/2 speed albums. The one that I really remember is The Family That Plays Together. I could never forget " Silky Sam ", : what's ya got there smiley, high low or jack?

[@brainscott8198]

Fun Fact: Randy Wolfe met Jimi Hendrix at age 15 in NYC. Hendrix asked Wolfe to be in his band, Jimmy James & The Blue Flames, but already had Randy Foster whom Jimi nicknamed Randy Texas. Hendrix nicknamed Randy Wolfe, Randy California after Wolfe's birth state...the rest is rock history.

[@electrix6751]

Ed Cassidy on drums, was Randy Wolfe's (alias Randy California) stepfather.

[@timmotel5804]

WOW! My first time seeing this. They were a great band. RIP Randy and Jack. Wonderful guys.

[@tubatalabal]

Who's Jack?

[@SFbank721]

Always loved Spirit....... saw them in 1970 with Jay Ferguson on vocals, few years later with Cassidy, Locke and Staely brothers on guitars, then as 3 piece in 1978 with RCalifornia

[@silverchessdragon]

Having this record of a real performance is great because every memory link with these beautiful people is to be treasured, simple as that. Lots of great stuff musically even when you want to get critical too. Their spirits shine oh so bright - we should try to join with them too.

[@dennis-ul5ht]

My first rock concert: November, 1969, Denison University, Granville, Ohio...

[@ShermanA.ThompsonIII]

SPIRIT was one of the unsung heroes of real rock music... one of the best. Randy California was outstanding!

[@SusankarenFerry-fv5ud]

One if not the favorite bands of mine since i heard them when I was 13. Now in almost 69 and still love the music

[@michelet2312]

Thanks so much for this post -- just finding it. They were one of my favorite bands.

[@Mike383HK]

It got better and better as it went on!! And Ed Cassidy (as an old drummer) after he warmed up he got better and better!! Just Dickey Betts walking in made everybody better!! I miss Randy!! He was a HERO!! Died to save his son from drowning!! That is character!! He's in Heaven!!

[@Mike383HK]

He is one of my heroes as a human being and a father!! Just a great guy!! Ed Cassidy was his mother's boyfriend and mentored him and the band. He was a big band drummer. He knew it all and showed it. Nothing like this will EVER happen again. I miss them.

[@CVT57]

These unsung singing heros have been among the superheros of music since about 1970 and will rock and roll into eternity, many of your more famous heroes got inspirational direction from these guys at the very least Ferguson/Randy/Ed/and fuzzy should be immortalized as trendsetters for almost all others, I LOVE EM!!!

[@sullivan2339]

AWESOME GROOVY FANTASTIC- Thanks for posting

[@johnstallings4049]

Exactly what I need right now so thank you for posting this!😜💙💋

[@paulmcfadden634]

randy grew up behind the stages of sunset blvd as a kid...ed cassidy...from the 30's originally...my comment is that I ran in to them dozens of times in san diego (including the san diego swap meet...50 cents). The point is they had decent music but were so cool to talk to and hang with. And the randy California story is true....

[@TIO540S1]

Wow, what a take on “It’s Nature’s Way.” Never knew it had additional lyrics. Thanks for this.

[@markmelvin299]

Just found this and simply wow. The live album of these shows has been played to death. They came to England I think after and I saw them several times that tour and the one after. Just great. Thanks for the post. I'll just listen now for a while if you don't mind....

[@4everRory]

I´ve seen so many combos live and nearly all the rockpalast-gigs. But I´ll always remember this concert, which is surely far from perfect. But if you had the luck to feel the spirit of this rockpalast-jam as a teen, you´ll like it forever. a zoso-fanboy ;-)

[@blockhead1422]

Thanks for this! One of my favorite bands back in the day...check out their first 2 albums-total classics!

[@jagg2055]

I agree. 2 of top ten rock albums of all time

[@mikereynolds3294]

How Dickey Betts ended up in this mix was an extra added treat👍

[@jamesmorelandoliver8897]

There was such a wealth of amazing talent in the late 60s. To my mind, the Beatles and The Kinks came from more of a ballad tradition which really has its roots in folk but these guys seem to evolve from jazz and blues. I can't help wondering, since Randy played in Hendrix's early band if his incredible stage style was inherited from Hendrix or if Hendrix picked up on Randy's style? All their LP's are a treat to hear, including the later Rapture In The Chambers.

[@marcustooby6461]

My eternal friend "Chef" Mike Jones introduced me to Spirit's 12 Dreams in c. 1989. To this day, I think of Mike and enjoy flashbacks (the best kind) every time I play it.

[@chixaroxn]

23 yrs ole & , my ears are becoming sophisticated , to some great live music I'm hearing & seeing. In Chi-Twn.

[@charliek4190]

fantastic band, it never grows old,

[@billyshane3804]

RIP Randy and Cass. Champions and Legends

[@Bryan-fv7sf]

He's better every time I watch him shame I didn't c him had one chance at a bar but I was 17 couldn't get in rip Randy

[@charleso8826]

AWESOME !

[@bodhidharma9363]

Awesome Hendrix tribute on All Along the Watchtower and Wild Thing

[@richardhincemon9423]

Randy Wolfe played in a band call Jimmy James and the blue flames in New York 1966. They had more than one Randy in that band so Jimmy started calling one of them California. Jimmy became Jimi Hendrix and Randy became Randy California! True story cheers

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Love ‘Hey Joe’ too 🤙

[@gdiddy56]

The amazing baldness of Ed Cassidy; and the man with the guitar, RIP Randy California.

[@ronsullivan9068]

I saw these guys open for Jeff Beck group, four nights in a row at the Fillmore West/Carousel ballroom back in December '68, never knew they included Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, that must have come later...

[@mauricioochoa4179]

Awesome musicianship by everyone!!! Randy California and Ed Cassidy forever!!