Author Topic: One of The Greatest - Spence Dryden 1938 - 2005 (Read 270 times)

bucky · « **on:** February 19, 2005, 09:24:02 PM »

Hey My Alembic Brothers:

I don't know how many of you younger Alembic Bros know about this man but he was one of the greatest drummers that ever graced a drum throne. Sadly, Spencer Dryden of the Jefferson Airplane recently passed away. As a teenager I loved the Jefferson Airplane and was particularly influenced by the rhythm section of the Airplane, bassist Jack Casady and drummer Spence Dryden. For those of us fortunate enough to have seen that iteration of the Airplane all I can tell you is they were like NO other rock band since or then. They, more than any band of the mid-Sixties embodied the Spirit, originality, verve and creativity of those Wondrous Times.

May you rest in Peace Lather . . and may your Spirit now be truly free. . know that you have touched the lives of millions. . . no man could hope for more.

the_mule · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2005, 03:24:18 AM »

There was already a thread about his passing away, he was and will be remembered with great respect.
For the sake of completeness here's the link: http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15833.html?1105736617

Wilfred

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2005, 05:27:54 AM »

I just found and purchased Fly Jefferson Airplane, a DVD about this major influence on me (from a distance - I never saw them live, only on TV). This is a collection of their TV appearances from several TV shows and the New York rooftop performance that predates the Beatles on Apple's rooftop. Bucky, you are absolutely correct. Spencer and Jack were the major influence on my picking up a bass to begin with. I loved all of their output with the Airplane, Hot Tuna, Paul and Graces solo albums (I still have Blows against The Empire) and David Crosby's first solo album.
Mike

kmh364 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2005, 05:43:14 AM »

I got that JA DVD for Xmas (To: Me, From: Me, LOL!). I didn't realize Spence was sick, much less that he had passed. I also missed the original thread that Wilfred dug up above. My bad. What a unique drummer in a very unique band (JA) he was.

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2005, 09:08:14 AM »

Blows is IMO one of the greatest hidden treasures of the San Francisco sound era. Incredible album. If you haven't heard it, check it out.

Kantner, Cassidy, Jorma, Slick, Joey Covington, Garcia, Kruetzmann, Hart, Crosby, Nash, David Frieberg, among others as The Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra.

Hijack a Starship!

Also excellent: Baron Von Tollbooth & the Chrome Nun - Kantner, Slick & Frieberg

Oh the memories!

Bill, tgo

bucky · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2005, 03:10:23 PM »

Thanks, Everyone. Really. . I am sorry if I was repeat posting something that had been gone over by everyone. I guess I'm just a little behind the news curve. And I felt I just had to say something. It's great to hear that the Fly JA DVD is good. . I have it on order sight unseen just because I can't imagine it will disappoint me. I remember seeing them on the Smothers Brothers show (that's included isn't it?) and how uncomfortable all the adults seem to be in the room. I LOVED IT! They definitely were a one-of-a-kind unit. If you go here: http://www.jeffersonairplane.com/tribute.html to their official website tribute page and read what the band members themselves say to Spence as a last goodbye, Man it will move you! They represent a kind of band attitude - a dynamic that I find sorely missing these days.

Or maybe I'm just becoming one of those uncomfortable adults(-; to a New Generation. . .

Anyway. . Peace to all of you!

Jeff

p.s. I bet Susan could check in with some stories about the Airplane if she had a mind to. I'd be VERY surprised if she didn't know Spencer to some degree. That scene was very communal. And I couldn't agre more about Blows! I've always thought that was one of the greatest albums and still listen to the CD release of it regularly!

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2005, 03:32:17 PM »

Thanks for the tribute link Bucky.

tom_z · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2005, 03:35:46 PM »

Another album with very similar personnel is If I Could Only Remember My Name, David Crosby's debut album. It's more ethereal than Blows but another very beautiful collection of tunes. I thought I read somewhere along the way that it was also considered a Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra collaboration. At any rate, there were a bunch of recordings to come out of Wally Heider's studio in San Fran featuring various combinations of these folks. I even have some bootleg recordings of sessions from Heider's studio - great stuff.

Tom

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2005, 05:13:27 PM »

While we're on the subject of the Airplane, let me recommend a wonderful book:

Got a Revolution! :The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane by Jeff Tamarkin

One of the best Rock 'n Roll biographies and an outstanding reminescience of the San Francisco era.

Bill, tgo

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2005, 05:21:02 AM »

Tom,
About three years ago I burned a bunch of my old LPs to CD, doubling up for space as available. One CD is both Blows... and If I Could Only... I've been surprised over the years how many musicians see David's album as a true hidden gem, even friends who are hardcore Anglophiles/ Floyd fans who hate the Dead scene. That along with The Airplane catalogue kept my ears wide open to musical possibilities. I miss those days.
Mike

bucky · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2005, 12:40:14 PM »

Dave, Tom, Bill and Mike:

Thanks guys for the continuing thread. YES! I LOVE If I Could Only. . GREAT album! A real forgotten gem if ever there were one. It contains quite a few really good songs. I think everyone would agree that Crosby - though an incredible singer - was never the most prolific songwriter of that group. .but THIS album has a majority of really well-crafted melodic tunes. And of course no one would *ever* fault that voice. And Bill, I most definitely will pick up 'Got a Revolution. . ' I was quite politically motivated when I was a teenager War Protests and all- something that came through later in life in my Jeff Joad persona http://www.rpursuit.com/jeffjoad/Index.asp - and the Airplane were just SOOOO ballsy in their Political comment. I couldn't believe they got away with the lyric up against the wall muther*#!@r when I first heard it on that anthem. .and that RCA would back them on that. Can you even remotely imagine that happening in this Conservative climate? There are some great anti-establishment (Boy, THAT sure dates me, eh?) sentiments expressed in some of the more articulate, less-self-indulgent Hip-Hop and Rap artists today but where is the fire in the Rock Mainstream? Even sadder is that Vietnam and Iraq have so many parallels. . it must make the members of The Airplane (especially Kantner) *bristle* with anger. . .

Anyway. . I?ve gotten off on another tangent. . sorry. . thanks Guys. Really. Spencer would have LOVED this thread. You know, besides his health he also lost nearly all of his possessions in a tragic house fire a few years ago. His bandmates and friends came to his rescue to a degree that they had a Benefit Concert for him. But still we all know you can?t put a price on some things..leaves me wondering if he lost the drum set he played on that *beautiful* opening to ?She has Funny Cars? on one of the (IMHO) GREATEST ALBUMS EVER MADE ?Surrealistic Pillow?.

Jeff

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2005, 06:22:57 PM »

Looking back, I think it not unreasonable to suggest that Surrealistic Pillow had a significant influence in my life.
Go ask Alice.