Who is Randy California and Spirit
Ranked #7,965 in Music, #215,967 overall | Donates to Acumen Fund
Given name: Randy Craig Wolfe
Spirit is the name of an eclectic rock band fronted by lead singer and guitarist Randy California.
Randy started his career early, playing with Jimi Hendrix at age 15 before forming his own band with his step-father, drummer Ed Cassidy. Hendrix coined the name "California" to tell the difference between two guys named Randy in Jimi's first band: Jimmy James and the Blue Flame.
Spirit - Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
The band started in the Summer of Love (1968) and Spirit continued to tour with new material until Randy's tragic death in 1997 while saving his son Quinn from a strong rip current in Hawaii.
Press play > and listen to music below while learning about Spirit and Randy California.Contents at a Glance
The 12 Dreams of Doctor Sardonicus
4th Spirit album
"Rougher Road", "Street Worm" and "Red Light Roll On" are bonus tracks that were previously unreleased. "Why Can't I Be Free" and "Love Has Found a Way" are excellent songs with incredibly beautiful vocals. Read more than 100 reviews at Amazon for The 12 Dreams of Doctor Sardonicus.
Two CD compilation (2009)
One-stop shopping
Time Circle
Amazon Price: $32.45 (as of 06/04/2012)
The first 4 albums on two CDs with all their radio favorites and classic songs from Spirit during the years 1968 to 1974. This is all you need to enjoy the height of their career. Listen to the tracks, below.
Spirit (self-titled first album)
Released in 1968
This is my desert island disk for Spirit -- every song is good, and most tracks are excellent, including "Fresh Garbage", "Topanga Windows" (named for Topanga Canyon in Los Angeles), "Straight Arrow" and "Gramophone Man". "Water Woman" is one of my all time favorite songs.
Three reasons to love Randy California
A brilliant musician with strong beliefs
The second reason is that Randy played with Jimi Hendrix, who gave Randy Wolfe his stage name. They met at the legendary Manny's Music Store in Manhattan and played together until Hendrix went off to Europe to be discovered. Randy was only 15 at the time, and his parents thought he should finish school rather that touring with Jimi.
The third reason to love Randy California is the time period - the late sixties on the West Coast was a time of revolution, social change and the center of the best music scene in the country. The best rock poster artists and underground cartoonists also made a lasting impression during the 1960s as creative people, like Randy, voiced their opinions.
The Family That Plays Together
The second album
"She Smiles", "Space Chile" and "So Little To Say" are all previously unreleased songs for this MP3.
Great Spirit stuff from Amazon
Do you like the music of Spirit?
Clear
Third album from Randy California and Spirit
More cautionary tales with the song 1984, inspired by the book by George Orwell. Coral and Fuller Brush Man are bonus tracks on the CD or downloaded MP3 released.
Twitter buzz on Randy California and Spirit
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- olawuzemu
- Family That Plays Together (Audio CD): "Family" as in Randy California and his godfather, drummer Ed Cassidy! In... http://t.co/RZjGoK0m
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- tiryfarywu
- Family That Plays Together (Audio CD): "Family" as in Randy California and his godfather, drummer Ed Cassidy! In... http://t.co/9Cn226cQ
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- boezim
- One of the original members of the band "Spirit",== Randy California - Colorized Weed: http://t.co/mC6llLfT via @youtube
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- kbstewartjr
- Spirit – Taurus !! @lukesharp It's suggested that Jimmy Page borrowed Randy California's guitar part from "Tauru... ♫ http://t.co/ON5PopIW
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- neguhixop
- SPIRIT Randy California COMPUTER MOUSE PAD: Cool collectible! Great gift!! Mouse pad is brand new in excellent c... http://t.co/uKZ7SZR7
Time Circle is a great introduction to the music of Spirit with the most popular songs mixed in with unreleased tracks.
Vote for your favorite Spirit album
12 Dreams of Dr Sardonicus
Spirit was formed with the intention to combine jazz, more...1 point
Time Circle
Time Circle, 1968-1972 was a compilation album by Spirit, more...1 point
Future Games/Spirit of 84
Two albums, from '77 and '84 respectively--the las more...1 point
External links & resources
- Article clippings from the Randy California Tribute page
- Randy California (1951-1997) A True Spirit and Guitarist Extraordinaire
- Tent Of Miracles
- The Unofficial Spirit Homepage
- Randy California obituary
- An appreciation of the career of RANDY CALIFORNIA with quotations and commentary
- Album reviews
- Reviews and images of the most popular recordings from Spirit
- Spirit & Randy California
- Album cover artwork and record reviews
Music topics
Rock 'n' Roll musician toys
Pop! Rock Music Legends
The Poster Series
More articles from dotpattern
What do you think of Randy California?
Share your stories and thoughts. Did you ever see Spirit in concert?
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Tipi
May 27, 2011 @ 2:25 pm | delete
- Someone will be waiting for you at your door when you get home tonight...yup, I like!
1984 knocking on your door......funky fun!
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dotpattern
May 27, 2011 @ 4:41 pm | delete
- A song based on the book '1984' by George Orwell. The song is every bit as prophetic as the book.
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Time Circle (1968-1974)
First four records on 2 CDs
Time Circle
Amazon Price: $32.45 (as of 06/04/2012)
41 tracks total from the first 4 albums. Some of the bonus tracks are only available on this 2 CD set.
12 Dreams from the sixties
One of the greatest 60s albums
![Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus [Vinyl]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41K6SskpkRL._SL160_.jpg)
Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus [Vinyl]
Amazon Price: $14.72 (as of 06/04/2012)
Culmination of the work by the original band and the highest charting album that Spirit produced. (VINYL)
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