14 Facts About Ed Cassidy

Edward Claude Cassidy was an American jazz and rock drummer who was one of the founders of the rock group Spirit in 1967.

Ed Cassidy was born in Harvey, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago on May 4,1923.

Ed Cassidy began his career as a professional musician in 1937.

Ed Cassidy served in the US 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, Ed Cassidy played 282 consecutive one-nighters in 17 states.

Ed Cassidy 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, Ed Cassidy enrolled at college to get a musical teaching credential.

Ed Cassidy sported a shaved head, which was unusual at that time, and he always wore black.

Ed Cassidy used a single bass drum, and two large parade bass drums as floor toms.

Ed Cassidy later performed with Merrell Fankhauser in the Fankhauser Ed Cassidy Band.

Ed Cassidy had a wife, Beverly, a daughter, Carol Ann Griffith, a son, Christian Padriack Ed Cassidy, and several stepchildren and grandchildren.

Ed Cassidy had previously been married to Bernice Pearl Wolfe, the mother of Randy California.

Ed Cassidy wrote, studied history, and continued to correspond with fans from his residence in Southern California until his death.

Ed Cassidy died of cancer in San Jose at the age of 89 on 6 December 2012.