Randy California Tribute

On January 2, 1997, the world lost one of it's most passionate songwriters, guitarists and vocalists.  He was a man who touched millions of lives across five continents with his music and his special spirituality.   Randy California was hailed as one of the world's best guitarists by renowned players like Eric Clapton and Ted Nugent.  His songwriting resulted in such timeless material as I Got a Line on You, Nature's Way, 1984, Dark Eyed Woman, Prelude/Nothin' to Hide, and many more.  Those who worked with him in the studio thought his layered harmonies and singing abilities were his greatest commercial strength.

Despite Randy's many talents, this was a man known as much for his human kindness as his abilities.  His thousands of loyal fans span the world, and they were perhaps least surprised that Randly California saved his son, Quinn, from drowning before being carried out to sea on that fateful day in Molokai.  At age 46, Randy had led a heroic and difficult life.

Attracted as a child to music and specifically the blues by his uncles, Randy became a child phenomenon who would perform at the age of 14 with Jimi Hendrix, who he met in a New York record store.  Randy joined Jimmy James and the Blue Flames for five sets a night in Greenwich Village.   It was Jimi who gave Randy his last name, (Randy Wolfe being his real name).   When Jimi left for England he asked Randy to go with him, but Randy's mother felt he was too young, and moved the family back to California.

In 1968, Randy embarked on a musical journey that would be the focus of his musical career for the rest of his life.  He formed the band Spirit with bass player Mark Andes, keyboardist John Locke, vocalist Jay Ferguson, and his then-stepfather and close confidant, Ed Cassidy.

Spirit's 1969 album The Family that Plays Together was a top-20 success and contained Spirit's biggest hit, I Got a Line on You.  A year later, Spirit released one of the most critically acclaimed albums in the history of rock music.  The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus.  It contained the song Nature's Way, which has become an anthem for a generation, expressing Randy's strong feelings for the earth and it's inhabitants.  Nature's Way has been re-recorded by more than 20 artists and used in many films.

The original Spirit broke up after it's initial success, but Randy and Cass would forge ahead with a collection of compelling works and some wonderful new musicians and albums.  Potatoland was Randy's first album under the nom de plume of Kaptain Kopter, followed by Kaptain Kopter and His Fabulous Twirlybirds, and a couple of solo efforts.  Subsequently, Spirit resurfaced on Mercury records with albums like Spirit of '76 and Future Games.   In recent years, Randy and Cass continued to tour the United States and Europe to very enthusiastic crowds, releasing the records Rapture in the Chambers for IRS Records, and Tent of Miracles.  Randy produced both records.   In 1992, the band released a Spirit compilation, Time Circle, and was close to releasing a very interesting new blues disc called California Blues at the time of Randy's death.

Without question, Randy California deserves his place as a legendary rock figure.  Playing guitar solos with his teeth or slide guitar with a beer bottle, writing some of the most poigant lyrics in music history, and sending a shiver up your spine with his soaring vocals, (not to mention arm-wrestling at times with members of the audience), Randy cared about his music, his family, his friends and his fans.  His Spirit will live on in countless ways.   He will always be missed.

Dr. Michael Lee      

Check out Expose Magazine's article by Steve Robey:

"Through The Times With Randy California & Spirit   A Historical Discography"

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