depending on whom you talk to. The black conga player was named Tyrone, but nobody can remember his last name. He was supposedly busted for drugs, and then left the band (for jail?). Bob Arkin was the brother of actor Alan Arkin. The band's name came from the book by Kahil Gibran. Jay and Mark joined after running into Randy & Cass at a "Love-In" in Griffth Park in Burbank, likely on May 27th. Mark quit CANNED HEAT to join, and Jay was the last of the original members to join. Cass remembers the first gig with the "classic" line-up was for a private party on the beach down at the bottom of Topanga Canyon.

Randy may have been in and out of the group during this time frame, and Arliss left to be replaced by Al Staehely. He was a former bandmate of JO JO GUNNE drummer Curly Smith in a Texas group called PUMPKIN. John and Al reportedly tried to get Randy to rejoin the group, but he wanted to pursue a solo career instead.

Cass thought they sounded quite interesting and "jazzy", but it was a big strain on John to be the only melody instrument, so in came Al's brother John on guitar for the next album and tour.

They recorded the FEEDBACK album, and tour into the summer, when Cass quits.

Release KAPT KOPTER AND THE (FABULOUS) TWIRLYBIRDS album. I have found no evidence of any other drummer playing gigs with KAPT. KOPTER other than Cass. Randy subs for a sick Ritchie Blackmore for a DEEP PURPLE gig in Quebec, Canada on April 6, 1972.

version of the POTATOLAND album for release as the second KAPT KOPTER album.

Eventually record STAY-HEY-LEE album as THE STAEHELY BROTHERS.

even though they likely legally no longer own the name. The tour ends in mid-May, and an exhausted and sick Randy California exits the band for rehab and later travels to Molokai. During this tour, Randy played guitar on PETER HAMMILL's "Red Shift", later to be released in his THE SILENT CORNER AND THE EMPTY STAGE album.

known as the "Copy Cat" SPIRIT. The SPIRIT name continues in legal limbo. First known gig is in early July 1973. The group does extensive touring off the sudden belated success of SARDONICUS, THE BEST OF SPIRIT, and the single "Mr. Skin", which is a hit in some regional markets. (Top 10 in Cleveland, OH). Donnie Dacus was the original guitarist/vocalist, but he was sacked early on. He was replaced by Steve Edwards, a friend of Scott Shelley. Donnie Dacus went on to tour and record with STEPHEN STILLS and CHICAGO.

likely at great expense, from THE STAEHELY BROTHERS. This line-up plays two Hawaii gigs, Tom Hall misses one due to injury.

before leaving for FIREFALL. First known tour dates are in October.

They also played a New Years eve show in Detroit on Dec. 31, 1974.

at "Curtis Hixon Hall" in Tampa, FL on March 2nd. Taking over the hall from ALVIN LEE, who had cancelled (SPIRIT was to be the opening act), they sold out the hall, and financed the recording of SPIRIT OF 76 at local Tampa STUDIO 70. Signed by Mercury Records, they continue touring through the summer. Record the follow-up album, SON OF SPIRIT.

the touring unit below hit the road starting in July. It is also possible that the recording lineup played some gigs.

The first was in San Luis Obispo, CA, and it is likely that there were several shows prior to the infamous August 28th concert at the "Civic Center" in Santa Monica, CA. According to Jay, he thought a permanent reunion was certainly possible until the Neil Young incident during the Santa Monica concert. John Locke was very good friends with Neil, and his producer (and SPIRIT's on two albums) David Briggs. When Randy shoved a reportedly intoxicated Neil Young off stage during SPIRIT's encore, that was all for him. He reportedly left the stage screaming "I will never play with Randy again!!"

Mercury drops the band from its label. The band records new songs later to appear on CHRONICLES and Randy's solo EURO-AMERICAN. John Locke leaves again.

consider to be one of the strongest and interesting line-ups other than the original group. Appear on German TV on ROCKPALAST on March 4, 1978, and record a live album at the "Rainbow" in London, on March 11, 1978. The album is released in three different configurations in late 1978 - early 1979. (LIVE; LIVE SPIRIT; MADE IN GERMANY).

Tom Hall played guitar on FUTURE GAMES, and was a good friend of Randy's, likely from his Hawaii days. I know of one gig at "The Rock Corporation" in Van Nuys, CA, exact date unknown.

but is not certain whether they ever played live. It is also possible that Larry "Fuzzy" Knight returned until the band imploded in May, with Randy leaving for a solo career. Tim Bogert was the former bassist with VANILLA FUDGE, CACTUS and JEFF BECK.

he brought in his friend Steve "Liberty" Loria from Detroit on bass. They open for (at the time) ex-DEEP PURPLE vocalist Ian Gillan during a 21 date UK tour. They record a four song demo at Kingsway Studios in London on October 31st. Songs recorded were "Thinking Of You"; "You Stole My Heart"; "California Man"; and "Song For Laura". While in England, Randy is presented with a large petition to release POTATOLAND. The band can get no label support and disband. It is possible that Randy did some sort of very short promotional tour with a band including Ian Gillan, but I have not been able to discover any conclusive evidence.

The band plays a few LA area club dates, and appears on cable TV's NEW WAVE THEATRE.

The first gig is at the "Golden Bear" in Huntington Beach, CA on October 22nd, 1980. POTATOLAND is released in the spring of 1981.

the band adds George Valuck for extensive UK and European tours.

this line-up tour in support of the album, and record additional material.

at the A&M Soundstage in Hollywood in December 1982. Originally this was going to be released on an audiophile label, but the band was picked up by Phonogram for a four album deal. Randy was also signed to a solo deal. The album is released in Europe in the spring of 1984 as THE THIRTEENTH DREAM, and in the US as SPIRIT OF 84, with different cover art. A short mini-tour plays the West in August 1984, and then Jay, John and Mark have to return to their other commitments.

Les Warner goes on to become the drummer for THE CULT.

TOMMY JAMES, and MARK LINDSAY (ex- PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS) to raise funds for the restoration of the Statue Of Liberty. They also back-up Mark Lindsay during his set! In November, the group does a few Mid-West dates on it's own, and records a two song demo in Detroit for the next Phonogram album. One of the songs is "I Can't Stop It", which is never released. Phonogram/Mercury drops the band and Randy's solo efforts.

after the departure of Walter Egan.

with John Locke on keyboards, and Mark Andes on bass. It's possible that John may have done a few dates on keyboards. The above line-up tours the US and England. Scott leaves after the tour.

TENT OF MIRACLES in the summer of 1990. They tour the US and Europe extensively. CHRONICLES (1967-1992) is released in late 1991.

The last one on October 27, 1991 in "Mile Square Park" in Fountain Valley, CA is a free concert sponsored by a radio station. It draws tens of thousands, but the band's wonderful performance is hampered by bad sound courtesy of THE DOOBIE BROTHERS crew.

Mike Nile departs for Colorado, and Scott Monahan returns.

During some spring-summer 1994 dates Mike Nile fills in for Scott.

Randy and Cass employ professional "pick up" musicians to play bass and keyboards. There was a set of two musicians for Mid-West dates, and others for East Coast dates. The Mid-West players were Gary Bloom (keys/vocals) and Gordo (bass). Jack Geisenheimer plays bass on some East Coast gigs.

who had opened for them in Savannah, GA the previous month. The last SPIRIT concert was November 24, 1996 at "Mr. Pub" in Ocala, FL.

for a European tour when Randy drowns in Molokai on January 2, 1997.