Spirit was an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1967. The band was known for its eclectic blend of rock, jazz, and psychedelic music, as well as its unique instrumentation and improvisational style. The original lineup of the band consisted of Randy California (guitar/vocals), Jay Ferguson (vocals/keyboards), Mark Andes (bass), Ed Cassidy (drums), and John Locke (keyboards).

Spirit gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a string of successful albums, including their self-titled debut album, which featured the hit single "Mechanical World," and their 1969 album "Clear," which included the popular track "I Got a Line on You." The band's music was characterized by California's intricate guitar work, Ferguson's distinctive vocals, and the unique sound of Locke's keyboard playing.

Despite their success, Spirit never achieved the same level of mainstream success as some of their contemporaries, such as Led Zeppelin and The Doors. However, they were highly influential on other musicians and bands, and their music has been cited as an inspiration by artists as diverse as Nirvana and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Spirit continued to release albums and tour throughout the 1970s and 1980s, but their lineup changed frequently over the years. Randy California was tragically killed in a drowning accident in 1997, but the band has continued to perform and release new music with various members over the years. Today, they are remembered as an innovative and influential band that helped to shape the sound of rock music in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Spirit's guitarist/vocalist Randy California is the step-son of drummer Ed Cassidy. -GSH

• Randy California - guitar/vocals - b. Randy Craig Wolfe, February 20, 1951, Los Angeles, California; d. January 2, 1997 (drowned while saving his son off the coast of Molokai, Hawaii) - formerly with The Tangerine Puppets.
  
• Ed Cassidy - drums - b. May 4, 1924, Chicago, Illinois - formerly with Thelonius Monk, Art Pepper, Cannonball Adderly, Gerry Mulligan, New Jazz Trio, and Rising Sons (with Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal).
• Jay Ferguson - guitar/keyboards/vocals - b. John Arden Ferguson, May 10, 1947, Burbank, California - formerly with bluegrass band The Oat Hill Straddlers.
• Mark Andes - bass/vocals - b. February 19, 1948, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - formerly with The Marksmen and The Red Roosters.

• Randy California - guitar/vocals
• Ed Cassidy - drums
• John Locke - keyboards/vocals - b. September 25, 1943, Los Angeles, California - formerly with New Jazz Trio.

• Randy California - guitar/vocals
• Ed Cassidy - drums
• John Locke - keyboards/vocals
• Jay Ferguson - guitar/keyboards/vocals
• Mark Andes - bass/vocals

1. "Spirit" (1968)
2. "The Family That Plays Together" (1968) - Single: "I Got a Line on You"
3. "Clear Spirit" (1969) - Single: "Dark Eyed Woman"
4. "The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" (1970) - Single: "Nature's Way"
5. "Cosmic Smile" (2000)

• Ed Cassidy - drums
• John Locke - keyboards/vocals
• John Christian Staehely - guitar/vocals - b. Texas. [Ref: Mark Plummer, Oct. 8, 2002]
• Al Staehely - bass/vocals - b. Texas.

1. "Feedback" (1971)

• Randy California - guitar/vocals
• Ed Cassidy - drums
• Barry Keene - bass

1. "Spirit of '76" (1975)
2. "Son of Spirit" (1975)

• Randy California - guitar/vocals
• Ed Cassidy - drums
• John Locke - keyboards
• Mark Andes - bass/vocals
• Matt Andes - guitar/vocals

1. "Farther Along" (1976)

• Randy California - guitar/vocals

1. "Future Games: A Magical Kahauna Dream" (1977)

• Randy California - guitar/vocals
• Ed Cassidy - drums
• Larry "Fuzzy" Knight - bass/vocals

1. "Live" (1978)
2. "Live At The Rainbow 1978" (2000)

• Randy California - guitar/vocals
• Ed Cassidy - drums

1. "Journey to Potatoland" (1981)
2. "Spirit of '84" (1984)
3. "Rapture in the Chambers" (1989)
4. "Tent of Miracles" (1990)
5. "California Blues" (1996)
6. "Live From The Time Coast" (2-CDs) (2005)
   

1. "The Best of Spirit" (1973)
2. "Time Circle 1968-1972" (2-CDs) (1991)
3. "Chronicles 1967-92" (1991)
4. "The Mercury Years" (2-CDs) (1997)
5. "Sea Dream" (2-CDs) (2002)
6. "Son of Spirit / Farther Along" (two-fer) (2004)
   
7. "Future Games / Spirit of '84" (2-CDs) (2005)
   

1. "Kapt. Kopter and The (Fabulous) Twirly Birds" (1972)
2. "Restless" (1985)
3. "Euro-American / Shattered Dreams" (2-CDs) (1997)
   

• Spirit - Kspace Music Kiosk
• Randy California - Kspace Music Kiosk
• Tent of Miracles - The Unofficial Spirit HomePage
• Potato Land - An Unofficial Spirit HomePage
• "Through the Times with Randy California and Spirit" (Expose article)
• The REAL Jay Ferguson HomePage
• Ed Cassidy's Spirit Revisited HomePage
• Mark Andes - Official Web Page