Skip Spence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander "Skip" Spence
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Spence in 1966
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alexander Lee Spence, Jr. |
| Born | April 18, 1946 Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Origin | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | April 16, 1999 (aged 52) Santa Cruz, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1965–1971; sporadically until 1999 |
| Labels | Columbia |
Alexander "Skip" Spence (born Alexander Lee Spence, Jr.; April 18, 1946 – April 16, 1999) was a talented singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born in Canada but became known in the American music scene. Skip helped start the band Moby Grape and played guitar for them until 1969. That same year, he released his only solo album, Oar. After that, he mostly stepped away from the music world. Earlier in his career, he played guitar for Quicksilver Messenger Service and was the drummer for Jefferson Airplane's first album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off.
About Skip Spence's Life
Early Years: 1946–1965
Alexander Lee Spence was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on April 18, 1946. His father, Alexander Lett "Jock" Spence, was a machinist and salesman. He also played piano and sang.
In the late 1950s, Skip's family moved from Windsor to San Jose, California. His father found work in the aircraft industry there. Skip received his first guitar when he was 10 years old.
Music Career Highlights: 1966–1969
Skip Spence first played guitar in a band called The Other Side. Then, Marty Balin asked him to be the drummer for Jefferson Airplane. Skip was an important part of the 1960s music scene in the San Francisco Bay Area.
He played drums on Jefferson Airplane's first album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off. This album was recorded before Grace Slick joined the band. Skip later left the group after taking an unplanned trip. He thought about joining another band, Buffalo Springfield, as a drummer. However, he decided to go back to playing guitar and helped create the band Moby Grape.
In June 1968, Skip faced some health challenges that led him to take a break from music. During this time, he recorded his only solo album, Oar, in 1969. He recorded this folk album mostly by himself, and it became a classic.
Later Years and Music: 1970–1999
In the early 1970s, Skip formed and experimented with new bands. These included a three-man rock band called Pachuca and a larger group called The Rhythm Dukes. He continued to be involved in some Moby Grape projects and reunions.
Even when he couldn't perform much, his bandmates often included his songs on their albums. For example, his song "My Best Friend" was on Jefferson Airplane's Surrealistic Pillow album, even after he had left the group. Moby Grape members also supported Skip for many years.
Skip faced health issues that made it hard for him to continue a full-time music career. He spent many years receiving care and lived in different places. Peter Lewis, a bandmate, often visited Skip in his later years.
In 1994, Skip took part in a music program for people with health challenges in San Jose. Two years later, in 1996, he was asked to write a song for The X-Files soundtrack. The song, "Land of the Sun", wasn't used for the show but appeared on a tribute album called More Oar.
Skip's last performance with Moby Grape was on August 9, 1996, in Santa Cruz. He led the band through "Sailing" and an unplanned performance of "J.P.P. McStep B. Blues," a song he wrote for Jefferson Airplane in 1966.
Skip Spence's Passing
Skip Spence passed away from lung cancer on April 16, 1999. This was just two days before his 53rd birthday. He was survived by his four children, eleven grandchildren, and other family members.
A tribute album, More Oar: A Tribute to the Skip Spence Album, was released a few weeks after his death. Famous musicians like Robert Plant, Tom Waits, and Beck contributed to it. Skip was able to hear the album in the hospital shortly before he passed away. He is buried at Soquel Cemetery in Santa Cruz County.
Skip Spence's Musical Legacy
Skip Spence wrote the song "Omaha" for Moby Grape's first album. In 2008, Rolling Stone Magazine named it one of the 100 greatest guitar songs of all time.
In June 2008, a concert was held in Santa Cruz to honor Skip Spence. His son, Omar, who has sung with Moby Grape, performed his father's songs. He was backed by the Santa Cruz White Album Ensemble and other musicians who had played with Moby Grape members. Don Stevenson, an original Moby Grape member, also performed. Another tribute concert for Skip Spence was held in October 2008.
Music Albums and Songs
With Jefferson Airplane
- Jefferson Airplane Takes Off (RCA, 1966)
- Compilations
- Early Flight (RCA, 1974)
- Jefferson Airplane Loves You (RCA, 1992)
With Moby Grape
- Original albums
- Moby Grape (Columbia, 1967)
- Wow/Grape Jam (Columbia, 1968)
- Moby Grape '69 (Columbia, 1969)
- 20 Granite Creek (Reprise, 1971)
- Live Grape (Escape, 1978)
- The Place and the Time (Sundazed, 2009)
- Moby Grape Live (Sundazed, 2010)
- Compilations
- Omaha (Harmony, 1971)
- Great Grape (Columbia, 1972)
- Murder in My Heart (Edsel, 1986)
- Vintage: The Very Best of Moby Grape (Columbia/Legacy, 1993)
- Crosstalk: The Best of Moby Grape (Sony International, 2004)
- Listen My Friends! The Best of Moby Grape (Columbia/Legacy, 2007)
Solo Work
Studio Album
- Oar (Columbia, 1969), remastered and expanded in 1999 by Sundazed
Other Releases
- AndOarAgain (Columbia, 1969), remastered and expanded "Oar" with three discs (Modern Harmonic/Sundazed) (2018)
Single Songs
- "Land of the Sun" (Sundazed, 1999)
- "After Gene Autry" b/w "Motorcycle Irene" (aka Previously Unissued Demo Recordings) (Sundazed, 2009)
- "I Want A Rock & Roll Band" b/w " I Got A Lot To Say / Mary Jane" (Modern Harmonic/Columbia, 2019)
Songs on Other Albums
- Psychodelia (MCI, 1994) - "War in Peace"
- Psychodelic Frequencies (Temple, 1996) - "War in Peace"
- L'odyssee Du Rock (Sony Music Media/Sony, 2004) 4XLP - "Cripple Creek"
- Meridian 1970 (Protest, Sorrow, Hobos, Folk and Blues) (Forever Heavenly/EMI, 2005) - "Cripple Creek"
- Woodstock Generation (Sony Music, 2009) MP3 - "War in Peace"
- Come on Back to The War (Mississippi, 2011) cassette - "Margret Tiger Rug"
- The Anniversary of Light (Mississippi, 2013) cassette - "Weighted Down"
- Bobby Gillespie Presents Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down (Ace, 2015) - "War in Peace"
- Institute-A Mixed Tape Made By Institute (Sacred Bones, 2015) ltd. edition cassette - "Cripple Creek"
- Between the Music Vol. One (End of the Road, 2022) 2XLP - "Cripple Creek"
- Music For The Stars (Celestial Music 1960-1979) (Two Piers, 2022) 2XLP/CD - "Broken Heart"
- Who Has Seen The Wind (Mississippi) cassette - "Broken Heart"
Tribute Album
- More Oar: A Tribute to the Skip Spence Album (Birdman, 1999)
