Spencer Dryden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Spencer Dryden
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Dryden, c. 1970s
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Spencer Charles Dryden |
| Born | April 7, 1938 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | January 11, 2005 (aged 66) Petaluma, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Psychedelic rock, acid rock, country rock, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1966–1995 |
| Labels | RCA, BMG, Columbia |
| Associated acts | The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Jefferson Airplane, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Dinosaurs |
Spencer Charles Dryden (born April 7, 1938 – died January 11, 2005) was an American musician. He was best known as the drummer for two famous bands: Jefferson Airplane and New Riders of the Purple Sage. He also played with other groups like Dinosaurs and the Ashes (which later became the Peanut Butter Conspiracy). In 1996, he was honored by being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Jefferson Airplane.
Contents
Spencer Dryden's Life and Music
His Early Years
Spencer Charles Dryden was born in 1938 in New York City. His mother, Alice Chapple, was a ballet dancer. His father, George Dryden Wheeler Jr., was an actor and director. Spencer's father was also the half-brother of the very famous actor Charlie Chaplin. When Spencer was young, he kept his connection to Charlie Chaplin a secret. He did not want people to judge him based on his famous uncle.
When Spencer was a baby, his family moved to Los Angeles. His father worked there as an assistant director for Chaplin. Spencer's parents divorced in 1943. Spencer remembered visiting his father at his uncle's Hollywood studio and playing there as a child.
In the 1950s, Spencer became friends with Lloyd Miller, who lived nearby. Both boys loved jazz music. Miller suggested they start a band and encouraged Spencer to play drums. Spencer did not have a drum set. So, Miller made one by stretching an old inner tube over a wooden barrel. Miller would play his player piano, cornet, or clarinet, and Spencer would play beats on his homemade drum.
One day, Miller visited Spencer's house and heard him playing on a real drum set. Spencer was playing jazz drum solos perfectly. Soon, they formed a band called the Smog City Six. They practiced in Miller's garage. When their parents complained, they played short concerts on neighborhood lawns. They sometimes had to run from the police!
People soon wanted them to play their lawn jams. Their last New Orleans-style jazz show was at Miller's school. After that, Spencer started playing a different style of jazz called cool jazz in Hollywood. Spencer's father also loved jazz. He took Spencer to jazz clubs in Los Angeles during the 1950s. These trips inspired Spencer's dream to become a musician. His father passed away in 1957 when Spencer was 19.
Joining Jefferson Airplane
In the middle of 1966, Spencer Dryden joined Jefferson Airplane. This was a very popular psychedelic rock band from San Francisco. He became their new drummer, replacing Skip Spence. With bassist Jack Casady, Spencer helped create a great rhythm section for the band.
When Jefferson Airplane played live, they often had long, free-form jam sessions. Spencer's drumming and Casady's bass playing worked very well together. You can hear examples of this on songs like "Thing" and "Bear Melt" from their album Bless Its Pointed Little Head.
The song "Lather" was on the Airplane's album Crown of Creation. It is said that Grace Slick wrote this song for Spencer's 30th birthday. The song's words tell a story about a boy who tries to stay young. But one day, he has to grow up.
Spencer Dryden left Jefferson Airplane in February 1970. This happened after a difficult concert called the Altamont Festival. At that event, lead singer Marty Balin was hurt by bikers. The concert had a very bad feeling, and Spencer had a sense that something was wrong. He did not want to play there at first.
New Riders of the Purple Sage and Dinosaurs
Spencer Dryden took a short break from music. But he soon returned to drumming. He joined the band New Riders of the Purple Sage. He played and recorded with them from late 1970 until 1977. After that, he became the band's manager.
After leaving the New Riders, Spencer played for a long time with the band Dinosaurs. He also played with Barry Melton's band. He stopped drumming in 1995.
Later Life and Legacy
Spencer Dryden did not join Jefferson Airplane for their reunion in 1989. However, in 1996, Spencer was honored. He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other members of Jefferson Airplane. He played with the band at a special event that year. It was his first time playing with them since 1970. In 2003, Spencer joined the group on stage one last time for the Jefferson Starship Galactic Reunion.
Spencer lived a quiet life in Penngrove, California. He lived in a small house on rented land. In 2003, his home was destroyed by a fire. A few years before he passed away, Spencer needed hip replacement and heart surgeries. In May 2004, a special concert was held to help him. Musicians like Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead played. The concert raised about US$36,000 to help pay Spencer's medical bills.
Later in 2004, Spencer was diagnosed with cancer. The benefit concert helped Spencer become friends again with Jorma Kaukonen, a band member from Jefferson Airplane. Kaukonen remembered Spencer fondly. It was only shortly before Spencer's death that Kaukonen learned Spencer was Charlie Chaplin's nephew. Spencer's last public appearance was in 2004. He was with Jefferson Airplane band members at a party for their Fly documentary DVD release.
Spencer Dryden passed away from colon cancer on January 11, 2005. He was married three times. He was survived by his three sons, Jeffrey, Jesse, and Jackson Dryden. He also had six grandchildren and his mother, Alice Chapple Judd. His mother passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2005, at 94 years old.
When Spencer died, Grace Slick and other band members wrote tributes to him. These were posted on the group's website. Grace Slick's tribute ended with these words: "Lather was 30 years old today, they took away all of his toys."
Honors
- In 1996, Spencer Dryden was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Spencer Dryden para niños
