Rockers We’ve Lost in 2012: Ed Cassidy of Spirit

Ed Cassidy, the drummer for the band Spirit, passed away on Dec. 6 of undisclosed causes at age 89. Spirit are one of the great unsung bands of the late '60s, and Cassidy's drumming propelled many of their classics. He started out playing in jazz bands in the '50s before making the move to rock and roll a decade later. Already much older than anyone on the scene, Cassidy was in his early 40s when Spirit formed.

The band released their classic debut album in 1968 which, while not a huge seller, proved to be very influential. Their mixture of jazz, pop, rock and psychedelia delivered a sound all their own. The band would have a few hits along the way, most notably 'I Got a Line on You,' Nature's Way' and 'Mr. Skin' (which was also Cassidy's nickname due to his glaringly bald presence in a scene of long hairs).