Put Spirit into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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As the 2009 nominees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were announced, a group that made a seminal contribution to the music of the late 60вand early 70вs has once again been slighted. Spirit (Randy California, guitar and vocals , Jay Ferguson, vocals, John Locke, keyboards, Mark Andes, bass, and Ed Cassidy, drums), the groundbreaking band founded in Los Angeles in the 1960вs, has been virtually neglected by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since itвs original eligibility in the mid 90вs This petition aims to right that situation.
Spirit has never gotten the acclaim the group deserves. While other west coast groups like the Doors, the Byrds, and Buffalo Springfield, have gone on to more popular recognition, Sprit remains an underground but vital phenomenon. The four albums this LA quintet cut between 1968 and 1971 (and a fifth soundtrack for motion picture Model Shop) certainly rank among the best albums of that period. Their final album in their original configuration, вThe Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus,в is viewed as one of the first concept albums, a вdiverse yet cohesive effort, and long considered by fans, critics and musicians alike to be one of the finest albums ever recorded.в It extended the experimentalism of Spiritвs earlier albums with new elements that anticipated the rock trends of the 70вs . As one critic notes вSpirit should be remembered as one of the half-dozen best American bands of the 60sв
If music is the universal language, Spirit was its rock n roll translator. Like other innovative groups of the 60вs, Spirit set out to create new musical forms. Mixing influences from free form and small group jazz with improvisation, psychedelia, hard rock, blues and even pop sensibilities, they aimed to create more universal musical forms. They often succeeded, creating music with the widest range of musical expression of any rock group before or since. Another critic writing in 1968: вSpirit makes use of all the variables available to modern music; in form, style, tone color, dynamics, rhythms, lyric subjects, modes, scales, feelings, everything.в Spirit was among the earliest and most successful fusion groups. Spirit also displayed an early ecological sensibility and a concern for social justice, and critical and adventurous lyrical spirit that captured the sense of the times. Californiaвs вNature's Wayв and Fergusonвs вFresh Garbage,в illustrate their early environmental concerns.
In a spirit retrospective Jim Washburn wrote: вThe Doors were alright but for many rock fans in the late 60вs the band that really mattered was Spirit,в Spirit is the forgotten super group of the 60вs. They headlined for groups like Led Zeppelin and the Police and were it not for an unfortunate management decision would have been featured at Woodstock.
Though the original Spirit lineup broke up in1971, Spirit continued until Randy Californiaвs death in 1997, centered around the virtuoso musicianship of drummer Ed Cassidy and guitarist Randy California. California is recognized by many as one of the premier guitarists of rock. Exposed early on to blues and to the influence of Jimi Hendrix, California not only could master almost any style from smooth jazz to blues to psychedelic, he possessed a strong melodic sense, Spirit kept writing music and producing albums that challenged conformity, record company executives, and received ideas, in times of political quietism. (Potatoland, Spirtofв76, Further Along, for example) Spiritвs last studio album, California Blues, is a thoughtful return to Californiaвs blues roots. It is infused with an underlying sense of the community of mankind that can be traced back to Californiaвs early work with Spirit.
If youвre a fan of Spirit please sign this petition and show the rock establishment that Spirit still lives. If you havenвt listened to Spirit for a while or at all, take a chance to listen to one of rockвs neglected treasures. Then sign on to the petition.
Spirit has never gotten the acclaim the group deserves. While other west coast groups like the Doors, the Byrds, and Buffalo Springfield, have gone on to more popular recognition, Sprit remains an underground but vital phenomenon. The four albums this LA quintet cut between 1968 and 1971 (and a fifth soundtrack for motion picture Model Shop) certainly rank among the best albums of that period. Their final album in their original configuration, вThe Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus,в is viewed as one of the first concept albums, a вdiverse yet cohesive effort, and long considered by fans, critics and musicians alike to be one of the finest albums ever recorded.в It extended the experimentalism of Spiritвs earlier albums with new elements that anticipated the rock trends of the 70вs . As one critic notes вSpirit should be remembered as one of the half-dozen best American bands of the 60sв
If music is the universal language, Spirit was its rock n roll translator. Like other innovative groups of the 60вs, Spirit set out to create new musical forms. Mixing influences from free form and small group jazz with improvisation, psychedelia, hard rock, blues and even pop sensibilities, they aimed to create more universal musical forms. They often succeeded, creating music with the widest range of musical expression of any rock group before or since. Another critic writing in 1968: вSpirit makes use of all the variables available to modern music; in form, style, tone color, dynamics, rhythms, lyric subjects, modes, scales, feelings, everything.в Spirit was among the earliest and most successful fusion groups. Spirit also displayed an early ecological sensibility and a concern for social justice, and critical and adventurous lyrical spirit that captured the sense of the times. Californiaвs вNature's Wayв and Fergusonвs вFresh Garbage,в illustrate their early environmental concerns.
In a spirit retrospective Jim Washburn wrote: вThe Doors were alright but for many rock fans in the late 60вs the band that really mattered was Spirit,в Spirit is the forgotten super group of the 60вs. They headlined for groups like Led Zeppelin and the Police and were it not for an unfortunate management decision would have been featured at Woodstock.
Though the original Spirit lineup broke up in1971, Spirit continued until Randy Californiaвs death in 1997, centered around the virtuoso musicianship of drummer Ed Cassidy and guitarist Randy California. California is recognized by many as one of the premier guitarists of rock. Exposed early on to blues and to the influence of Jimi Hendrix, California not only could master almost any style from smooth jazz to blues to psychedelic, he possessed a strong melodic sense, Spirit kept writing music and producing albums that challenged conformity, record company executives, and received ideas, in times of political quietism. (Potatoland, Spirtofв76, Further Along, for example) Spiritвs last studio album, California Blues, is a thoughtful return to Californiaвs blues roots. It is infused with an underlying sense of the community of mankind that can be traced back to Californiaвs early work with Spirit.
If youвre a fan of Spirit please sign this petition and show the rock establishment that Spirit still lives. If you havenвt listened to Spirit for a while or at all, take a chance to listen to one of rockвs neglected treasures. Then sign on to the petition.
480 Signatures
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Terrill K
- Comments
- Yes!!!!!
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sally b
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Garnet M
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vandenbussche
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- great SPIRIT .
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Alan T
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- Spirit and Randy California true rock legends. This award is long overdue.
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Scott R
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- I thought they would have been there by now...Randy California was a true legend and the band with him!
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Kenny C
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- do it now
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David O
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- Spirit were one of the best rocks bands ever!!!
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Terry L. L
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paul h
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- the music created by Spirit in all its forms was and still is amongst the best ever created the first four albums by the five piece band should be in evryones collection
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Laura Nardoni (
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- Spirit is one of the most important band of the 60-70's and the induction is LONG OVERDO!! Randy California is a Guitar icon alone. Please consider the induction-long overdo in my book!
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Steven S
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ukasz F
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George B
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- Spirit belongs....Led Zeppelin members should have been 1st to sign this petition....
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Lenny R
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- The wellspring of the psychedelic era in LA.
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Henk D
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Kim W
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Robert Arlan N
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- They are/were, without question, one of the most amazing bands of the late 60's.
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Dane S
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- The inovators of Jazz/pop experimental rock influenced Led Zepplin where they stole stairway to heaven from them time to recognize the inovators.
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Andrea B
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- My Brother Deserves This!!
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Shannon W
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- Just say YES
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Wynn D
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- Spirit was among the best in pioneering Rock/Jazz fusion
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Rick M
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Valerie B
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- Spirit for RRHOF
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Jean K
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Allan R
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- Spirit's jazz-rock fusion created some of the best 'timeless' songs ever. One of my favorite-of-all-time groups.
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John T
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- Until acts that made an impact on music like Spirit get into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame it can only be known as the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF SHAME!! Shame on the panel for nominating acts like the Beastie Boys yet ignoring bands like Spirit, Grand Funk, Rush and so many others that actually gave us rock and moved the music forward. Quit putting in rap crap, it is just that....crap! 25 years from now kids won't be going back to see that crap, unlike bands from the 'day' that still tour and draw a crowd!
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Bruce H
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Bob P
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- The only consolation we have in this matter is that the Hall has become almost a total joke with respect to whom they enshrine (Miles Davis? Rock?!) and whom they don't.
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Si H
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Rich G
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- Anyone trading cdrs?
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Alan P
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patrick f
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- Please induct Spirit into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They deserve it.
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James L
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- One of the most original and important bands of the era. Made jazz fusion available and accessible to a generation.
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jd
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david b
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- do it ... rock hall
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Kenneth T
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Carrie M
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Richard W
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- No one deserves to be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame until Spirit is inducted. This band has influenced millions of musicians, including myself.
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Marcus
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- The unluckiest band of all-time. A bonafide classic.
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Esther C
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William A
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- Spirit never got the recognition they deserved. They should be in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame!
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MJH
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- Have loved this band for years - saw Randy in San Diego in the late 90s but was too shy to ask for an autograph - one of my great regrets !!!
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Alan M
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- I saw Randy at Edinburgh University in the late 70's. Rest in peace Randy. HOF long overdue.
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Marty S
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- To me, Spirit epitomizes the Hollywood/Sunset Blvd. scenes of the late '60's: the Sea Witch and other clubs rocked on into the wee hours of the morning, hippies panhandled on Venice Beach and the cops were everywhere. But Randy California and Spirit distilled all these things down to their essential spirit in tracks such as Fresh Garbage and Mechanical World. So strange yet so evocative. If any group belongs in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, it most certainly is Spirit!
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Sean H
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John M
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- One of the greatest bands that ever set foot on a stage and Randy California is among the Top 5 players of the electric guitar ever. If the quality of a band's music is the measure of RRHoF worthiness they are a slam dunk.
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JIM G
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- ONE OF IF NOT THE GREATEST BANDS IN HISTORY AND ED CASSIDY IS HANDS DOWN THE GREATEST DRUMMER.........EVER! THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1 OF THE FIRST BANDS VOTE IN. ED CASSIDY SHOULD BE IN THE HALL WITH THE BAND AND BY HIMSELF. HE'S THE "GODFATHER" OF DRUMMERS. ED AND THE BAND NEVER GOT THE CREDIT THEY DESERVE. LISTEN TO I GOT A LINE ON YOU AND FRESH GARBAGE AND IT'S ALL THE SAME. 3 OF THE SONGS OF THE 60'S
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Larry z
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- I listened to 12 dreams of Dr. Sardonicus everyday for 6 months once. Saved my life.
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Randy W
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- That Spirit belongs in the HOF should be immediately obvious to anyone who wants to check them out. Yesterday, I listened to Spirit for the first time in almost 40 years. Very strange that it all came rushing back to me. I couldn't believe how fresh and new it all sounded, but at the same time it was all very familiar... because it was so memorable the first time I heard it. So many of these songs are timeless. They are as at home in the 21st century as when they were recorded in 1968 - 70.
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