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Spirit (band)

2025-11-04T06:34:55Z

166.181.250.211:

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{short description|American rock band founded in 1967}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Spirit
| image =File:I Got a Line on You - ad 1968.png
| caption =''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' advertisement, November 16, 1968
| alias =
| origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| genre = {{Hlist|[[Psychedelic music|Psychedelia]]|[[progressive rock]]|[[art rock]]}}
| occupation =
| years_active =
{{flatlist|
*1967–1973
*1974–1979
*1982–1997
}}
| label =
{{flatlist|
*[[Ode Records|Ode]]
*[[Epic Records|Epic]]
*[[Repertoire Records]]
*[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
*[[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino]]
*[[Beggars Banquet Records|Beggars Banquet]]
*[[Line Records]]
}}
| website =
| current_members =
| past_members = [[#Band members|See below]]
}}

'''Spirit''' was an American [[rock music|rock]] band founded in 1967 and based in Los Angeles. Their most commercially successful single in the United States was "[[I Got a Line on You]]". They were also known for their albums, including their [[Spirit (Spirit album)|self-titled debut album]], ''[[The Family That Plays Together]]'', ''[[Clear (Spirit album)|Clear]]'', and ''[[Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spirit - Band - Master - Bahr Gallery |url=https://www.bahrgallery.com/band-master/spirit |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=www.bahrgallery.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Original lineup ==
The original lineup of the group evolved from a Los Angeles band, the Red Roosters, which included [[Randy California]] (born Randy Craig Wolfe; guitars, vocals), [[Mark Andes]] (bass) and [[Jay Ferguson (American musician)|Jay Ferguson]] (vocals, percussion). With the addition of California's stepfather [[Ed Cassidy]] on drums, and keyboard player [[John Locke (musician)|John Locke]], the new band was originally named the ''Spirits Rebellious'' (after a book by [[Kahlil Gibran]]), but the name was soon shortened to Spirit. Before returning to his native state, California previously played with [[Jimi Hendrix]] as a member of [[Jimmy James and the Blue Flames]] in New York City's [[Greenwich Village]] in 1966. Hendrix gave Randy Wolfe the nickname "Randy California" to distinguish him from Randy Palmer, whom Hendrix named "Randy Texas".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bernarde |first1=Scott |title=Stars of David: Rock'n'Roll's Jewish Stories |date=2003 |publisher=Brandeis University Press |pages=164–169 |isbn=978-1-58465-303-5}}</ref>

Cassidy was recognizable by his shaved head (hence his nickname "Mr. Skin", later the title of a Spirit song) and his fondness for wearing black. Born in 1923, he was about twenty years older than the rest of the group. Although his earlier career was primarily in jazz (including stints with [[Cannonball Adderley]], [[Gerry Mulligan]], [[Rahsaan Roland Kirk|Roland Kirk]], [[Thelonious Monk]] and [[Lee Konitz]]), he had served as the founding drummer of [[Rising Sons]], an early [[blues rock]] vehicle for [[Taj Mahal (musician)|Taj Mahal]] and [[Ry Cooder]].

== 1960s ==

Early demo recordings by the band were produced by their [[Topanga Canyon]] roommate Barry Hansen, later known as the radio host [[Dr. Demento]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.randycaliforniaandspirit.com/links.html |title=Articles |access-date=June 8, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712023103/http://www.randycaliforniaandspirit.com/links.html |archive-date=July 12, 2015 }}</ref> In August 1967, the record producer [[Lou Adler]] (known for his work with [[The Mamas & the Papas]] and [[The Grass Roots]]) signed the band to his label, [[Ode Records]]. The group's first album, ''[[Spirit (Spirit album)|Spirit]]'', was released in 1968. "Mechanical World" was released as a single (it lists the playing time merely as "very long"). The album was a hit, reaching number 31 on the [[Billboard 200]] and staying on the chart for seven months. A song from the album, "Fresh Garbage", was included on the [[Columbia Records|CBS]] [[sampler album]] ''[[The Rock Machine Turns You On]]'', released in 1968 in the UK, Europe and South Africa, and was the UK's first introduction to the band.

The band capitalized on the success of their first album with another single, "I Got a Line on You". Released in November 1968, a month before their second album, ''[[The Family That Plays Together]]'', it became their biggest hit single, reaching number 25 on the charts (number 28 in Canada). The album matched its success, reaching number 22. In December, they appeared at the Denver Auditorium, with support band [[Led Zeppelin]],<ref name="lewispallett">{{cite book|author=Lewis, Dave|author2=Pallett, Simon|title=Led Zeppelin: The Concert File|year=1997|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-7119-5307-9|page=31}}</ref> who soon after interpolated parts of Spirit's song "Fresh Garbage" in an extended medley based around their cover of Bob Elgin and [[Jerry Ragavoy]]'s "As Long as I Have You" (initially popularized by [[Garnet Mimms]]) during their early 1969 concerts. Spirit also appeared with Led Zeppelin at two outdoor music festivals in July 1969. [[Jimmy Page]]'s use of a [[theremin]] has been attributed to his seeing Randy California use one that he had mounted to his amplifier.<ref>[[Mick Wall|Wall, Mick]] (2008). ''When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography of Led Zeppelin''. London: Orion, p. 99</ref> ''[[Guitar World]]'' magazine stated that "California's most enduring legacy may well be the fingerpicked acoustic theme of the song 'Taurus', which Jimmy Page was accused of copying note for note for the introduction to '[[Stairway to Heaven]]'."<ref>"Whammy Bar". ''[[Guitar World]]'', April 1997, p. 19: "California's most enduring legacy may well be the fingerpicked acoustic theme of the song "Taurus," which Jimmy Page was accused of copying virtually note for note for the introduction to "Stairway to Heaven."</ref> ''The Independent'' noted the similarity in 1997.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-randy-california-1283572.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-randy-california-1283572.html |archive-date=2022-05-24 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Obituary: Randy California |date=17 January 1997 |work=The Independent |quote='Stairway To Heaven', the Led Zeppelin classic, bears more than a passing resemblance to 'Taurus'...}}</ref> In 2014, Mark Andes and a trust acting on behalf of Randy California filed a copyright infringement suit against Led Zeppelin in an attempt to obtain a writing credit for "Stairway to Heaven".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27497950|title=Copyright row over Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven|date=21 May 2014|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/led-zeppelin-loses-first-round-in-stairway-to-heaven-plagiarism-lawsuit/|title=Led Zeppelin loses first round in "Stairway to Heaven" plagiarism lawsuit|website=Cbsnews.com|date=October 21, 2014 }}</ref> Page denied copying "Taurus",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamrock.com/news/2015-05-26/led-zeppelin-stairway-lawsuit-spirit-response|title=Led Zep respond to Stairway lawsuit|date=May 26, 2015|website=Teamrock.com}}</ref> and the suit was unsuccessful.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36611961 BBC News, "Led Zeppelin cleared of plagiarism in Stairway case", 23 June 2016]. ''Bbc.co.uk'', Retrieved June 23, 2016</ref> The verdict was overturned on appeal in September 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/led-zeppelin-ordered-go-back-trial-stairway-heaven-copyright-lawsuit-n914831|title=Led Zeppelin ordered to go back on trial in 'Stairway to Heaven' copyright lawsuit|work=NBC News|access-date=September 29, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> On March 9, 2020, the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit|Ninth Circuit]] re-instated the original jury verdict.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEI1KSnaXQkv2M9XB2UFaUYwqGAgEKg8IACoHCAowjuuKAzCWrzww86qmBg?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen|title=Led Zeppelin Prevails in "Stairway to Heaven" Appeal|website=News.google.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

After the success of their early records, the group was asked by French film director [[Jacques Demy]] to record the soundtrack to his film ''[[Model Shop (album)|Model Shop]]'', and they also made a brief appearance in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064679/soundtrack|title=Model Shop (1969)|access-date=May 18, 2018|website=IMDb.com}}</ref> Their third album, ''[[Clear (Spirit album)|Clear]]'', released in 1969, reached No. 55 on the chart.

== "1984" and the ''Sardonicus'' era ==
In late 1969, [[Lou Adler]] moved distribution of his record label, [[Ode Records]], from [[Columbia Records]] to [[A&M Records]]. As part of the termination agreement, Columbia was allowed to keep the group under contract. Further releases would be shifted to the [[Epic Records]] label.

After the release of ''Clear'', the group recorded the song "1984", written by California and produced by the group on their own. After being released in February 1970, it placed at No. 69 on the ''Billboard'' chart and No. 66 on the ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.3769.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Singles – March 21, 1970|format=PDF|website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca}}</ref> The song would finally see general release on ''The Best of Spirit'' in 1973. The song was later covered by [[Nash the Slash]] on his 1984 album ''American Band-ages''.

In 1970, Spirit started working on their fourth LP ''[[Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus]]''. The band chose frequent [[Neil Young]] collaborator [[David Briggs (producer)|David Briggs]] as the producer at the recommendation of the singer-songwriter, an acquaintance from the Topanga Canyon scene. It was a prolific time for the group's writers, and the album was released in late 1970, peaking at No. 63 in early 1971 in the US, and No. 49 in Canada.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.5226.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Albums – February 27, 1971|format=PDF|website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca}}</ref> The album included Randy California's "Nature's Way", a minor hit (No. 111) which was written in an afternoon during an engagement at the [[Fillmore West]] in San Francisco.

Epic also released an early mix of "Animal Zoo" as a single, but it too only made it to No. 97 on the chart. Like [[The Who]]'s ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'' and [[Pink Floyd]]'s ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]'', ''Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus'' is critically regarded as a landmark of [[art rock]], with a tapestry of literary themes about the fragility of life and the complexity of the human experience, illustrated by recurring lyric "life has just begun", and continued the group's pioneering exploration of environmental issues in their lyrics (cf. "Fresh Garbage"). The album is also notable for its inventive production and the use of a modular [[Moog synthesizer]].

== 1971–73 ==
After the group undertook a promotional tour to support the album ''Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus'', Ferguson and Andes left the group, forming [[Jo Jo Gunne]]. California had accused them of plotting to take over the group. Their final gig with Spirit occurred on January 30, 1971, which almost ended with a fist-fight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamrock.com/features/2014-06-18/california-dreaming |title=California Dreaming |last=Bell |first=Max |date=June 18, 2014 |publisher=Classic Rock |access-date=February 19, 2016}}</ref>

John Arliss initially took Andes' place. California was still in the lineup, but he had suffered a head injury from a horse riding accident and was unable to tour. Shortly thereafter, bassist and recent University of Texas School of Law graduate [[Al Staehely]] was recruited by Locke and Cassidy to replace Arliss. The trio toured briefly before deciding that they had to add a guitarist to do the music justice. Al's brother, John Christian (Chris) Staehely, auditioned for the band and was quickly brought on board, departing the Texas rock group Krackerjack.

The Staehelys, Cassidy and Locke recorded the 1972 album ''[[Feedback (Spirit album)|Feedback]]'' in Columbia/Epic's Hollywood studios. It was a different turn for the group, showing more of a [[country rock]] influence pervading their jazzier tendencies, but it met with only a mild commercial response, reaching No. 63 in the chart. While the tour for ''Feedback'' proceeded well for much of that year, Cassidy and Locke lacked an affinity for roots-based music and soon left the lineup. The Staehely brothers completed the critically successful tour with drummer Stu Perry before dissolving the group in mid-1973 and releasing their own album, ''Sta-Hay-Lee''.

California, meanwhile, had recorded and issued his first solo album, ''[[Kapt. Kopter and the (Fabulous) Twirly Birds]]'', also on Epic Records in late 1972. Featuring appearances by [[Noel Redding]] (as "Clit McTorius"), Leslie Sampson (the drummer from Redding's band Road; as "Henry Manchovitz"), and Cassidy, the album had a hard rock sound. Following a brief tour in support of the album in the Los Angeles area with Cassidy and bassist Larry "Fuzzy" Knight, California toured Europe with this trio under the imprimatur of Spirit amid pressure from booking agents who wanted to capitalize on the band's name and were not interested in his solo work. During this period, a follow-up album (''The Adventures Of Kaptain Kopter And Commander Cassidy In Potato Land'') also was recorded with Cassidy. Although Locke made a guest appearance, it was not intended as a Spirit album at the time. California moved to Molokai, Hawaii, after Epic rejected the completed album.

In 1973, Epic Records decided to re-issue the group's first and third albums as a two-fer entitled ''Spirit'' in response to ''Sardonicus'' continuing to sell well as a catalog item; eventually, ''Sardonicus'' earned the band's only [[RIAA certification#List of certifications|RIAA gold certification]] in 1976. That same year, Epic issued ''The Best of Spirit'' compilation album alongside the ''Sardonicus'' track "Mr. Skin" as a single. "Mr. Skin" became another minor hit (peaking at No. 92), and the two-fer also hit the charts along with ''The Best of Spirit''. Cassidy decided to capitalize on the new demand for the group and put together an entirely new group for touring purposes, which lasted throughout the year.

== The Mercury years (1974–79) ==
In 1974, Cassidy made it a point to find and re-establish contact with his stepson. He eventually persuaded California to return to the mainland and give the band another shot. Andes worked with the duo for a while, but never intended to stay, as he was in the process of forming the group [[Firefall]] at the same time. Andes was replaced by former [[Frank Zappa]] sound engineer Barry Keene.

In early 1975, the group was scheduled to open for [[Ten Years After]] at a show in Florida, but when the headlining band backed out at the last minute, Spirit was granted permission to take over the theater for the evening. After going around to local radio stations to promote the show and setting a low ($3) ticket price, Spirit managed to sell out the 3,000-seat theater. Using the profits from the show, they blocked out as much time as they could at Studio 70 in Tampa, Florida.

After recording a large amount of material at the studio, manager Marshall Berle (the nephew of [[Milton Berle]]) offered the cache of tapes to [[Mercury Records]]. On the basis of the material, the group was offered a contract, and a double album entitled ''[[Spirit of '76 (album)|Spirit of '76]]'' was culled from the material and released in May 1975. The album peaked at No. 147 and garnered some FM airplay, so they quickly followed it up with ''[[Son of Spirit]]'', released later that year and featuring many songs taken from the same sessions.

For the tour in support of ''Son of Spirit'', Locke re-joined the group. Eventually, Andes returned to the lineup as well, and although Ferguson declined to participate in the group reunion at first, the band (with the addition of Mark's brother Matt Andes as a second guitarist) recorded an album entitled ''[[Farther Along (Spirit album)|Farther Along]]'', released in late 1976.

=== First full reunion and ''Future Games'' ===
For a few shows at the [[Santa Monica Civic Auditorium]], Ferguson re-joined the group. Neil Young created an incident during the final show's encore of "[[Like a Rolling Stone]]" when he walked on stage inebriated. California would later claim that he did not recognize Young, but at the time was angry with Young for upstaging what he saw as his own comeback. California moved over in front of Neil and began pushing him backwards, away from the microphone, back past the drumkit and offstage. Young, along with other influential artists including New Hollywood director [[Hal Ashby]], had been visiting the band backstage before they went on, and Locke (a friend of Young) had invited the guitarist to join them in their encore. When Locke saw California pushing Young offstage, he got up from his piano and said that he had had enough and did not ever want to play with California again, walking off stage. Cassidy initially quelled the situation by leaving his kit and physically pulling both California and Young back onstage to the microphone to close out the song, asking the audience to sing along with them. After finishing the song, the band members argued backstage over what had unfolded leading to the end of the reunion.

Afterwards, California assembled ''[[Future Games (album)|Future Games: A Magical Kahauna Dream]]'' with Cassidy and limited assistance from session musicians. The experimental album included a Hendrix-influenced cover of "[[All Along the Watchtower]]" and underpinned science fiction-based lyrical themes with many samples from ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' in a variant of [[filk]]. Although Mercury approved its release in early 1977, it received no promotion and peaked at No. 179 on the U.S. chart, ending what little commercial momentum the group might have regained. It also (initially) ended their contract with Mercury. During this period, Ferguson was having success in his solo career with the hits "[[Thunder Island (song)|Thunder Island]]" (1977; No. 9) and "[[Shakedown Cruise]]" (1979; No. 31).

=== Return to trio ===
In a reprise of the ''Kapt. Kopter''-era trio, California, Cassidy and Larry "Fuzzy" Knight toured extensively as Spirit throughout 1978; an English leg saw the band headline a triple bill that included [[post-punk]] ensemble [[Alternative TV]] and [[The Police]]. Throughout the tour, California doubled on the foot-controlled [[Moog Taurus]] to partially compensate for the lack of a keyboardist. The German TV/radio programme ''[[Rockpalast]]'' recorded and broadcast Spirit's entire show of March 4/5, 1978, including the encore jam where [[Dickey Betts]] joined the band. This trio lineup also recorded a heavily-overdubbed live album (also released in 1978) that was released in slightly different configurations in several countries by different independent labels. It was not a commercial success, and after the tour's end in 1979, California left the group again.

== The 1980s and beyond ==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2016}}
After Spirit's demise, California put together another group with the short-lived intent of restarting his solo career. While in England, a fan presented him with a petition of 5,000 signatures requesting the release of the ''Potato Land'' album from 1973. Consequently, in 1981, California released an overdubbed selection of tracks from the original album alongside several unrelated songs dating from the late 1970s. Contrary to the intention of the original sessions, it was released under the imprimatur of Spirit in the United States by [[Rhino Records]] (a nascent archival label with ties to Dr. Demento) and in Britain by [[Beggars Banquet Records]], a well-regarded independent label specializing in [[punk rock]] and its derivations. It was the only Spirit album other than ''Sardonicus'' to chart in Britain, peaking at No. 40 in the [[UK Albums Chart]] and receiving airplay on [[BBC Radio 1]].

On February 14, 1982, Spirit, performed as a three-piece band, Randy California, Ed Cassidy and an unknown bass player, at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri. The show was sponsored and heavily promoted by local rock radio station K-SHE 95 and billed as; "K-SHE 95 presents the 5th Annual St. Valentine's Day Massacre," JOHN KAY & STEPPENWOLF, w/special guests; SPIRIT. The show was a near sell out with a little over 8,000 in attendance. California's second solo album, ''Euro-American'', was released in 1982 by Beggars Banquet. It featured a lineup including drummer [[Preston Heyman]]. During this period, California performed on the second tier at the 1982 [[Glastonbury Festival]]. When the power generator failed—allegedly because the operator had fallen asleep stoned and neglected to refill the fuel—Heyman performed a twenty-minute solo while the situation was rectified.

In December 1982, the original Spirit lineup re-formed and recorded several songs from their first four albums (as well as a few new tracks) live on a soundstage. The band was joined by several guests, including [[Jeff Baxter]] and [[Bob Welch (musician)|Bob Welch]]. The resulting [[The Thirteenth Dream|''Spirit of '84'']] (released internationally as ''The Thirteenth Dream'') was initially recorded for an audiophile label; however, Mercury Records re-signed the band (including a California solo deal) and released the album in 1984. The album was only a moderate critical success and failed to chart. While some of the original members went on to do other projects, California and Cassidy continued touring with new members Scott Monahan on keyboards and [[Dave Waterbury]] on bass.<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r18663/review|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review of Spirit of '84], ''[[AllMusic]]''</ref>

California headed to England and recorded his third solo album, the contemporary hard rock effort ''Restless'', for which Heyman (who played on the track "Jack Rabbit") secured a deal with Phonogram for in late 1985. Following a few live dates in England, California returned to the United States and resumed touring extensively with Cassidy, Monahan, and Waterbury. There was one more solo album from California: a collection of material entitled ''Shattered Dreams'' that was released in 1986.

In 1988, California secured a deal for Spirit with prominent independent label [[I.R.S. Records]] (best known for cultivating [[R.E.M.]] and [[The Go-Go's]]), leading Locke to rejoin the band. They recorded an album entitled ''[[Rapture in the Chambers]]'' at the [[Malibu, California]], recording studio Nileland, where studio owner/engineer, bassist and vocalist Mike Nile was asked to join the band. Although the group (including California, Cassidy, Locke, Nile, Monahan, and George Valuck on keyboards) toured extensively in support, the album failed to chart. California, Cassidy, and Nile continued to tour as a [[power trio]] while self-releasing ''Tent of Miracles'' in 1990. Nile contributed heavily to the album, writing songs and sharing lead vocals.

Spirit continued working almost continually for the next six years. Although they only released one album after ''Tent of Miracles'', the group was always either recording or touring.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-29-vl-828-story.html|title=Spirit Guide : Ojai's Randy California will lead his 25-year-old band to a Halloween gig at the Insomniac Coffeehouse in Ventura.|last=Locey|first=Bill|date=October 29, 1992|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 5, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> California had his own home recording studio since the early 1980s, though he had been making home recordings for years prior to that. This came to an end on January 2, 1997, when California drowned off the coast of Hawaii. He had been surfing with his son, who got caught in a riptide. He managed to push his son to safety but ended up losing his own life.

While Cassidy played a few dates with Spirit alumni under the name "Spirit Revisited" in 1998, California's death was effectively the end of the group. Locke died of complications resulting from [[lymphoma]] in August 2006. Cassidy died on December 6, 2012, in [[San Jose, California]], at age 89.

== Posthumous ==
California's death, however, did not mark the end of the emergence of Spirit material. Starting in 2000, there have been five collections of previously unreleased studio and live material, four of which were two-CD sets. California had also prepared an anthology of material from the group's first stint with Mercury Records entitled ''The Mercury Years''. The two-CD set was released in early 1997, though it raised the ire of some fans who did not care for the fact that some of the material had been re-edited or featured overdubbing that was not present on the original releases.

Likewise, nearly all of Spirit's original albums are currently in print on CD. This is thanks to the efforts of [[Sony Music]] (with the Epic catalog, though Collector's Choice Music was the first to reissue ''[[Feedback (Spirit album)|Feedback]]'' on CD in the U.S., following a brief release on disc in France in the late 1990s) and Beat Goes On alongside Edsel, both UK labels (with the Mercury catalog, some of which had made it to CD prior to Beat Goes On and Edsel reissuing all of their Mercury albums). Their later independent albums are available through the group's website. The one album that is unavailable at this time is ''Rapture In The Chambers'', which has not been reissued since the original 1989 release, though it was released on CD at that time.

Spirit has also found its work [[sample (music)|sampled]] by modern artists several times. The most notable of these was the "Extra P. Remix" of the song "Resurrection" by [[Common (rapper)|Common]] (which samples "Ice" from ''Clear)'' and "[[Feel Good Time]]" by [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] (which samples the track "Fresh Garbage").

In 2015, "I Got a Line On You" was covered by Alice Cooper's super group [[Hollywood Vampires (band)|the Hollywood Vampires]] on the album of the same name.

== Musical style ==
{{Expand section|date=June 2023}}
{{quote box|quote="The [[liner notes|notes]] identify them as 'pioneers' of 'topical lyrics that were realized by the production of the song,' which makes me think again about the way the first two cuts, '1984' and 'Mechanical World,' shift [[texture (music)|texture]] and [[tempo]]. By the stars, I do believe these fellows helped invent [[art-rock]]. This is not an unmixed distinction, but it could be worse: the topicality is a notch above ordinary rock [[sci-fi]] (they have a sense of humor), the derivations more [[jazz]] than [[classical music|classical]]. The big plus here though, is that great shining 2:39 of hard rock guitar, [[Randy California]]'s '[[I Got a Line on You]].'"|source=—''The Best of Spirit'' review in ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]'' (1981)<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=0-89919-026-X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: S|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=S&bk=70|access-date=March 12, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>|width=26%|align=right|style=padding:8px;}}
According to [[AllMusic]], Spirit was an "ambitious and acclaimed West Coast [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] band that fused [[hard rock]] to [[jazz]], [[blues]], [[country music|country]], and [[Folk music|folk]]";<ref name=Ruhlmann>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/spirit-mn0000746010/biography |title=Spirit Biography by William |last=Ruhlmann |first=William |work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2023-06-06}}</ref> Formed by an eclectic group of musicians who had backgrounds in [[rock music|rock]], [[pop music|pop]], folk, blues, [[classical music]] and jazz, Spirit "had an eclectic musical style in keeping with the early days of [[progressive rock]]"<ref name=Ruhlmann/> and they "seemed determined to out-eclecticize everybody else on the California psychedelic scene, with [their] melange of rock, jazz, blues, [[folk rock|folk-rock]], and even a bit of classical and [[Indian music]]."<ref name=AM>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r18665|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review of ''Spirit''], ''AllMusic''</ref> [[Robert Christgau]] wrote that Randy California was "the rock equivalent of the cool, progressive jazzman of the '50s".<ref name="VV">{{cite news|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=August 14, 1969|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg3.php|title=Consumer Guide (3)|newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]|accessdate=March 12, 2019|via=Robertchristgau.com}}</ref>

== Band members ==
;Original lineup

* [[Randy California]] – guitar, vocals {{Small|(1967–1972, 1972–1973, 1974–1979, 1982–1997; died 1997)}}
* [[Ed Cassidy]] – drums {{Small|(1967–1972, 1972–1973, 1974–1979, 1982–1997; died 2012)}}
*[[John Locke (musician)|John Locke]] – keyboards {{Small|(1967–1972, 1976, 1982–1985, 1988–1989; died 2006)}}
*[[Mark Andes]] – bass, guitar, vocals {{Small|(1967–1971, 1974, 1976, 1982–85, 1988–1989)}}
*[[Jay Ferguson (American musician)|Jay Ferguson]] – vocals, percussion, keyboards, guitar {{Small|(1967–1971, 1976, 1982–1985)}}
;Later members
Following ''Sardonicus'', many musicians passed through the group's ranks. Most of them did not make a huge contribution to the group's sound, but some did. The most important of the later group members are listed here:

*John Arliss – bass {{Small|(1971)}}
*[[Al Staehely]] – bass, lead vocals {{Small|(1971–1973)}}
*John Christian Staehely – guitar, vocals {{Small|(1971–1973)}}
*Stu Perry – drums {{Small|(1972–1973)}}{{Efn|Perry is best known for portraying the drummer who was crushed by the grand piano in ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]''.}}
*Scott Shelly – guitar, vocals {{Small|(1973–1974)}}
*[[Donnie Dacus]] – guitar, vocals {{Small|(1973–1974)}}
*Steve Olitski – keyboards {{Small|(1973–1974)}}
*Steve Edwards – guitar, vocals {{Small|(1973–1974)}}
*Barry Keene – bass {{Small|(1974–1976)}}
*Benji – keyboards {{Small|(1975)}}
*Matt Andes – guitar, vocals {{Small|(1976, 1995–1997)}}
*Larry "Fuzzy" Knight – bass, vocals {{Small|(1972–1973, 1976–1979)}}
*Terry Anderson – vocals {{Small|(1976–1977)}}
*Scott Monahan – keyboards, bass, vocals {{Small|(1985–1988, 1990–1995)}}
*[[Dave Waterbury]] – bass, vocals {{Small|(1985–1988)}}
*Mike Nile – bass, vocals {{Small|(1988–1993)}}
*George Valuck – keyboards {{Small|(1990–1995)}}
*Steve "Liberty" Loria – bass, vocals {{Small|(1993–1997)}}
*Gordon Patriarca – bass {{Small|(1995–1996)}}
*Rachel Andes – vocals {{Small|(1995–1997)}}
*[[Walter Egan]] – bass, vocals {{Small|(1997)}}

=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:960 height:auto barincrement:20
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DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
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Legend = position:bottom orientation:vertical columns:4

Colors =
id:voc value:red legend:Vocals
id:g value:green legend:Guitars
id:key value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:b value:blue legend:Bass
id:dr value:orange legend:Drums
id:perc value:claret legend:Percussion
id:alb value:black legend:Studio_release
id:bars value:gray(0.9)

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LineData =
at:22/01/1968 layer:back
at:01/12/1968
at:01/10/1969
at:01/11/1970
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at:01/05/1975
at:01/10/1975
at:01/06/1976
at:01/04/1977
at:01/01/1981
at:01/06/1984
at:01/01/1989
at:01/01/1990
at:03/12/1996

PlotData =
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,–4)
bar:Jay Ferguson from:start till:01/05/1971 color:voc
bar:Jay Ferguson from:start till:01/05/1971 color:perc width:3
bar:Jay Ferguson from:01/01/1976 till:01/04/1976 color:voc
bar:Jay Ferguson from:01/01/1976 till:01/04/1976 color:perc width:3
bar:Jay Ferguson from:01/12/1982 till:01/07/1985 color:voc
bar:Jay Ferguson from:01/12/1982 till:01/07/1985 color:g width:3
bar:Al Staehely from:01/09/1971 till:01/07/1973 color:b width:3
bar:Al Staehely from:01/09/1971 till:01/07/1973 color:voc
bar:Matt Andes from:01/04/1976 till:01/08/1976 color:voc
bar:Matt Andes from:01/04/1976 till:01/08/1976 color:g width:3
bar:Matt Andes from:01/07/1995 till:end color:g
bar:Matt Andes from:01/07/1995 till:end color:voc width:3
bar:Terry Anderson from:01/08/1976 till:01/07/1977 color:voc
bar:Rachel Andes from:01/07/1995 till:end color:voc
bar:Randy California from:start till:01/02/1972 color:g
bar:Randy California from:start till:01/02/1972 color:voc width:3
bar:Randy California from:01/07/1974 till:01/11/1979 color:g
bar:Randy California from:01/07/1974 till:01/11/1979 color:voc width:3
bar:Randy California from:01/12/1982 till:end color:g
bar:Randy California from:01/12/1982 till:end color:voc width:3
bar:John Christian Staehely from:01/02/1972 till:01/07/1973 color:g
bar:John Locke from:start till:01/05/1972 color:key
bar:John Locke from:01/01/1976 till:01/01/1977 color:key
bar:John Locke from:01/12/1982 till:01/07/1985 color:key
bar:John Locke from:01/07/1988 till:01/07/1989 color:key
bar:Benji from:01/07/1974 till:01/08/1975 color:key
bar:Scott Monahan from:01/07/1985 till:01/07/1988 color:key
bar:Scott Monahan from:01/07/1985 till:01/07/1988 color:voc width:3
bar:Scott Monahan from:01/07/1990 till:01/07/1995 color:key
bar:Scott Monahan from:01/07/1990 till:01/07/1995 color:voc width:3
bar:George Valuck from:01/07/1990 till:01/07/1995 color:key
bar:Mark Andes from:start till:01/05/1971 color:b
bar:Mark Andes from:01/07/1974 till:01/10/1974 color:b
bar:Mark Andes from:01/05/1976 till:01/01/1977 color:b
bar:Mark Andes from:01/05/1976 till:01/01/1977 color:voc width:3
bar:Mark Andes from:01/12/1982 till:01/07/1985 color:b
bar:Mark Andes from:01/12/1982 till:01/07/1985 color:voc width:3
bar:Mark Andes from:01/07/1988 till:01/07/1989 color:b
bar:Mark Andes from:01/07/1988 till:01/07/1989 color:voc width:3
bar:John Arliss from:01/05/1971 till:01/09/1971 color:b
bar:Barry Keene from:01/10/1974 till:01/05/1976 color:b
bar:Larry "Fuzzy" Knight from:01/05/1977 till:01/11/1979 color:b
bar:Larry "Fuzzy" Knight from:01/05/1977 till:01/11/1979 color:voc width:3
bar:Dave Waterbury from:01/07/1985 till:01/07/1988 color:b
bar:Dave Waterbury from:01/07/1985 till:01/07/1988 color:voc width:3
bar:Mike Nile from:01/07/1989 till:01/07/1993 color:b
bar:Mike Nile from:01/07/1989 till:01/07/1993 color:voc width:3
bar:Steve "Liberty" Loria from:01/07/1993 till:15/11/1996 color:b
bar:Steve "Liberty" Loria from:01/07/1993 till:15/11/1996 color:voc width:3
bar:Walter Egan from:15/11/1996 till:end color:b
bar:Walter Egan from:15/11/1996 till:end color:voc width:3
bar:Ed Cassidy from:start till:01/05/1972 color:dr
bar:Ed Cassidy from:start till:01/05/1972 color:perc width:3
bar:Ed Cassidy from:01/07/1974 till:01/11/1979 color:dr
bar:Ed Cassidy from:01/07/1974 till:01/11/1979 color:perc width:3
bar:Ed Cassidy from:01/12/1982 till:end color:dr
bar:Ed Cassidy from:01/12/1982 till:end color:perc width:3
bar:Stu Perry from:01/05/1972 till:01/07/1973 color:dr
}}

== Discography ==
=== Albums ===
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Album
![[Billboard 200|US Top 200]]
![[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="Martin Roach 2009, p.256">Martin Roach (ed.), ''The Virgin Book of British Hit Albums'', 2009, {{ISBN|978-0-7535-1700-0}}, p. 256</ref>
![[RPM (magazine)|Canada]]
!Certification
!Label
|-
|rowspan="2"|1968
|''[[Spirit (Spirit album)|Spirit]]''
|align="center"|31
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|rowspan="3" align="center"|[[Ode Records|Ode]]
|-
|''[[The Family That Plays Together]]''
|align="center"|22
|align="center"|
|align="center"|46 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.6024.pdf| title=RPM Top 50 Albums – March 31, 1969|format=PDF|website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca}}</ref>
|
|-
|1969
|''[[Clear (Spirit album)|Clear]]''
|align="center"|55
|align="center"|
|align="center"|29 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://3345.ca/rpm-magazine/issue/Volume+12-No.+6-September+27%2C+1969/| title=RPM Top 50 Albums – September 27, 1969|website=3345.ca}}</ref>
|
|-
|1970
|''[[Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus]]''
|align="center"|63
|align="center"|29<ref>{{cite web |title=Spirit: Artist Chart History |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/2770/spirit/ |publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|49 <ref name="auto" />
|
* US: Gold<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=spirit&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum – RIAA|work=RIAA|access-date=November 12, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
|rowspan="2" align="center"|[[Epic Records|Epic]]
|-
|1972
|''[[Feedback (Spirit album)|Feedback]]''
|align="center"|63
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|-
|1975
|''[[Spirit of '76 (Spirit album)|Spirit of '76]]''
|align="center"|147
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|rowspan="4" align="center"|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
|-
|1975
|''[[Son of Spirit]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|-
|1976
|''[[Farther Along (Spirit album)|Farther Along]]''
|align="center"|179
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|-
|1977
|''[[Future Games (Spirit album)|Future Games]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|-
|1981
|''[[The Adventures of Kaptain Kopter & Commander Cassidy in Potato Land]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|40
|align="center"|
|
|align="center"|[[Rhino Records|Rhino]]
|-
|1984
|''[[The Thirteenth Dream]]'' / ''Spirit of '84'' [U.S. title]
|align="center"|206
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
| align="center"|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
|-
|1989
|''[[Rapture in the Chambers]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|align="center"|[[I.R.S. Records|I.R.S.]]
|-
|1990
|''[[Tent of Miracles (album)|Tent of Miracles]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|align="center"|Dolphin
|-
|1996
|''[[California Blues]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|align="center"|W.E.R.C. C.R.E.W.
|-
|2005
|''[[Model Shop (album)|Model Shop]]'' (Soundtrack)
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|
|align="center"|[[Sundazed Music|Sundazed]]
|-
|}

=== Live albums ===
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Album
![[Billboard 200|US Top 200]]
![[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="Martin Roach 2009, p.256" />
!Label
|-
|1978
|''Live''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Potato
|-
|1978
|''Made in Germany''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Kinghat Records
|-
|1992
|''[[Chronicles, 1967–1992]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|W.E.R.C. C.R.E.W.
|-
|1995
|''[[Live at la Paloma]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|W.E.R.C. C.R.E.W.
|-
|2003
|''Blues from the Soul''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Acadia
|-
|2004
|''[[Live from the Time Coast]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Acadia
|-
|2006
|''The Original Potato Land''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Acadia
|-
|2007
|''Salvation – The Spirit of '74''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Acadia
|-
|2008
|''Rock and Roll Planet...1977–1979''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Acadia
|-
|2009
|''California Blues Redux''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Audio Fidelity
|-
|2010
|''The Last Euro Tour''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Floating World
|-
|rowspan="2"|2011
|''Tales from the Westside''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Floating World
|-
|''The Original Potato Land''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Floating World
|-
|2012
|''Two Sides of a Rainbow – Live at the Rainbow, London 1978''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Floating World
|-
|2016
|''Live at the Ash Grove 1967 Volume 1''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|align="center"|Flashback
|}

=== Compilations ===
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Album
![[Billboard 200|US Top 200]]
![[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="Martin Roach 2009, p.256" />
|-
|rowspan="2"|1973
|''[[The Best of Spirit]]''
|align="center"|119
|align="center"|
|-
|''Spirit'' (reissue of first and third albums)
|align="center"|191
|align="center"|
|-
|1975
|''The Family That Plays Together''/''Feedback''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|1991
|''[[Time Circle, 1968–1972]]''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|1997
|''The Mercury Years''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|2000
|''Cosmic Smile''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|2002
|''Sea Dream''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|2005
|''Son of America''
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|}

=== Singles ===
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Song titles
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]] 
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"| [[RPM (magazine)|CAN]] 
!Label
|-
|rowspan="2"|1968
|"Mechanical World"
|align="center"|123
|align="center"|77<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.7882.pdf| title=RPM 100 – July 6, 1968|format=PDF|website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca}}</ref>
|rowspan="4"|[[Ode Records|Ode]] / [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
|-
|"[[I Got a Line on You]]"
|align="center"|25
|align="center"|28<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.5920.pdf| title=RPM 100 – March 24, 1969|format=PDF|website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|1969
|"Dark Eyed Woman"
|align="center"|118
|align="center"|
|-
|"1984"
|align="center"|69
|align="center"|66<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.3769.pdf| title=RPM 100 – March 21, 1970|format=PDF|website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|1970
|"Animal Zoo"
|align="center"|97
|align="center"|
|rowspan="5"|[[Epic Records|Epic]]
|-
|"Mr. Skin"
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|1971
|"Nature's Way"
|align="center"|111
|align="center"|
|-
|rowspan="2"|1972
|"Mr. Skin" [reissue]
|align="center"|92
|align="center"|
|-
|"Cadillac Cowboys"
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|rowspan="2"|1975
|"Lady of the Lakes"
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|rowspan="3"|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
|-
|"Holy Man"
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|1976
|"Farther Along"
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|1980
|"Turn to the Right"
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|[[Rhino Records|Rhino]]
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.erjobe.info/spirit/ The unofficial Spirit homepage: Tent of miracles]
*[http://www.randycaliforniaandspirit.com/ Randy California and Spirit]
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name|3083211}}

{{Spirit (band)|Spirit}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spirit}}
[[Category:American art rock groups]]
[[Category:Beggars Banquet Records artists]]
[[Category:Epic Records artists]]
[[Category:Mercury Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1967]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1973]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1974]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1979]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1982]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1997]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Ode Records artists]]
[[Category:Progressive rock musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Psychedelic musical groups]]
[[Category:Rhino Entertainment artists]]
[[Category:1967 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1997 disestablishments in California]]

Desi Arnaz Jr.

2025-10-29T05:28:59Z

166.181.250.211: /* Filmography */SNL

{{short description|American actor and musician (born 1953)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Desi Arnaz Jr.
| image = Desi Arnaz Jr - The Streets of San Francisco (1976).JPG
| caption = Arnaz Jr. during filming of ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' in 1976
| birth_name = Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|1|19}}
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], California, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|musician}}
| years_active = 1957–2012, 2021
| spouse = {{Unbulleted list|{{marriage|[[Linda Purl]]|1979|1980|end=div}}|{{marriage|Amy Laura Bargiel|1987|2015|end=died}}}}
| children = 2
| parents = {{ubl|[[Desi Arnaz]]|[[Lucille Ball]]}}
| relatives = {{ubl|[[Lucie Arnaz]] (sister)|[[Fred Ball]] (maternal uncle)|[[Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II]] (paternal grandfather)}}
}}

'''Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV''' (born January 19, 1953), better known as '''Desi Arnaz Jr.''', is an American retired actor and musician. He is the son of [[Lucille Ball]] and [[Desi Arnaz]].

==Early life==
Arnaz was born on January 19, 1953, at [[Cedars of Lebanon Hospital]] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Monush|first=Barry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nNCGDwAAQBAJ&dq=Desiderio+Alberto+Arnaz+IV+born+los+angeles+hospital&pg=PT57|title=Lucille Ball FAQ: Everything Left to Know About America's Favorite Redhead|date=June 1, 2011|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-55783-940-4|language=en}}</ref> His older sister is actress [[Lucie Arnaz]], who was born in 1951.

His birth was one of the most publicized in television history. His parents were the stars of the television [[sitcom]] ''[[I Love Lucy]]'', and Ball's pregnancy was part of the story line, which was considered daring in 1952. The same day Ball gave birth to Desi Jr., the fictional Lucy Ricardo gave birth to "Little Ricky". As a testament to how interested the American public was in Lucy's TV baby, Arnaz appeared on the cover of the first issue of ''[[TV Guide]]'' with the headline "Lucy's $50,000,000 baby", (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|50000000|1952|r=-7}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US}} because revenue from advertising tie-ins was expected to top that amount.<ref name=andrews>{{cite book|last=Andrews|first=Bart|title=Lucy and Ricky and Fred and Ethel|year=1976|publisher=Clarke, Irvin & Company Limited|location=Toronto and Vancouver|page=81}}</ref> Actor [[Richard Keith (actor)|Richard Keith]] (a.k.a. Keith Thibodeaux) later portrayed "Little Ricky" in the TV series; Keith spent much time with Lucie and Desi Jr. in childhood and became close friends with the family, teaching Desi Jr. how to play drums.<ref>{{Citation|title=Lucie Arnaz on "I Love Lucy", video interview, (5:35)| date=August 19, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIxJnSvFfY4&t=335language=en|access-date=August 3, 2019}}</ref>

Arnaz attended [[University High School (Los Angeles, California)|University High School]] in West Los Angeles.

==Career==
At age 12, Arnaz was a drummer with [[Dino, Desi & Billy]]. The others were [[Dean Paul Martin]] (son of [[Dean Martin]]) and [[Billy Hinsche]]. The band scored two hit singles with "I'm a Fool" and "Not the Lovin' Kind" in 1965.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thevintagenews.com/2019/04/29/judy-lucys-kids/|title=Two "houses" of Hollywood Royalty: Judy & Lucy's Kids Got Serious|date=April 29, 2019|website=The Vintage News|language=en|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> With Billy's passing in 2021, Desi is the sole surviving member of the trio.

===Acting===
From 1968 to 1974, Desi Arnaz and his sister Lucie co-starred opposite their mother in ''[[Here's Lucy]]'' as her children. In 1968, he had a guest-starring role as Jerry and Suzie's drum-playing friend Tommy in the episode, "The Hombre Who Came to Dinner: Part 2", from the show ''[[The Mothers-in-Law]]'', executive-produced and directed by his father. In 1970, he appeared on ''[[The Brady Bunch]]'' episode "The Possible Dream". He starred in the tearjerker movie ''[[Red Sky at Morning (1971 film)|Red Sky at Morning]]'' in 1971 with [[Richard Thomas (actor)|Richard Thomas]], [[Richard Crenna]] and [[Claire Bloom]]. His best chance at enduring Hollywood fame came in 1973, when he played the title role in the film ''[[Marco (1973 film)|Marco]]'', a musical about the life of adventurer [[Marco Polo]]. However, like most Hollywood musicals of that period, it failed to register at the box office.

In 1974, Arnaz played the title role in the Western movie ''[[Billy Two Hats]]'' with [[Gregory Peck]]. In 1976, he appeared on two episodes of the television series, ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]''. Arnaz also appeared in a 1976 episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (SNL) hosted by both [[Desi Arnaz]] and Desi Arnaz Jr.. The younger Arnaz played Ricky Ricardo while [[Gilda Radner]] played Lucy in spoofs of supposed ill-fated [[television pilot|pilots]] for ''I Love Lucy''.

In 1977, he was the lead in the film ''[[Joyride (1977 film)|Joyride]]'' opposite fellow children of famous actors [[Melanie Griffith]], [[Robert Carradine]], and [[Anne Lockhart (actress)|Anne Lockhart]].

Arnaz's acting extended into the late 1980s with various appearances on television, and a leading role in the short-lived TV series ''[[Automan]]'', which ran from 1983 to 1984 in only 12 episodes.

[[File:Heres lucy 1968.JPG|thumb|Arnaz; his mother, Lucille Ball; and his sister, Lucie, in ''Here's Lucy'', 1968.]]
[[File:Desi arnaz sr and jr 1974.JPG|thumb|right|[[Desi Arnaz]] and Arnaz on the television special ''California, My Way'', 1974.]]
[[Image:Boulder-theatre.jpg|thumb|Boulder Theatre]]

In 1992, he played his father in the movie ''[[The Mambo Kings]]'', based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that he felt treated his father with respect. The film includes a scene in which Desi Jr., playing his father's character Ricky Ricardo, acts opposite his mother as Lucy Ricardo with film from the TV series intercut with the cast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/news/2019/03/desi-arnaz/|title=Desi Arnaz: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|last=Castro|first=Danilo|date=March 2, 2019|website=Heavy.com|language=en|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref>

===Later career===
From 1998 to 2010, he was touring with a new configuration of [[Dino, Desi & Billy]] called Ricci, Desi & Billy, featuring Arnaz reunited with [[Billy Hinsche]], and joined by Ricci Martin (youngest son of [[Dean Martin]]). The group performed original material as well as the songs the original band performed.<ref>[http://www.desiarnazjr.com/ Ricci, Desi & Billy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717002921/http://www.desiarnazjr.com/ |date=July 17, 2006 }}</ref>

From about 2002 to 2007, he was vice-president of the board of Directors of the [[Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Center]] in [[Jamestown, New York]]. He resigned over a dispute with the executive director over the center.<ref>[http://www.savelucydesicenter.org/pjarticle.html Fanelli, P. (2007), "Lucie, Desi Jr. Depart with Clark, Rapaport; Spots Filled with Locals", ''Jamestown Post–Journal'' (5 December)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917010107/http://www.savelucydesicenter.org/pjarticle.html |date=September 17, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.savelucydesicenter.org/ |title=SaveLucyDesiCenter.org |access-date=July 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818013640/http://www.savelucydesicenter.org/ |archive-date=August 18, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2007, Arnaz appeared at the 5th Annual [[TV Land Awards]] with his sister Lucie to accept the ''Legacy of Laughter'' award posthumously given to their mother.

Arnaz has also headlined ''Babalu: A Celebration of the Music of Desi Arnaz and his Orchestra'' with Lucie Arnaz, [[Raul Esparza]], and [[Valarie Pettiford]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/09/1723457/review-desi-arnaz-tribute-babalu.html|title=Review-Desi Arnaz tribute 'Babalu' sizzles at the Arsht
|work=[[Miami Herald]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=July 9, 2010|access-date=July 17, 2010}}{{dead link|date=May 2016}}</ref>

On October 15, 2011, Arnaz performed in ''Babalu'' at the [[Thomas Jefferson Building#Coolidge Auditorium|Coolidge Auditorium]] of the Library of Congress. The performance was in conjunction with the Library's Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Collection.<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2011/11-142.html Library of Congress Announces 2011-2012 Concert Season]</ref> In 2021, Arnaz and his sister Lucie served as executive producers for the film, ''[[Being the Ricardos]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/javier-bardem-lucie-arnaz-interview-being-the-ricardos-1235082156/|title='Being the Ricardos' Star Javier Bardem and Lucie Arnaz Talk Desi Arnaz's Legacy|last=Dresden|first=Hilton|website=Hollywoodreporter.com|date=January 27, 2022 |language=en|access-date=June 4, 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Arnaz has a daughter, Julia Arnaz, from a relationship with model Susan Callahan-Howe in 1968 when they were both 15 years old; Julia's relationship to Desi Jr. was proven by a [[paternity test]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite news | title = Angela Carella: A clue in claim of 'lost' Lucy granddaughter | newspaper = [[Stamford Advocate]] | location = Stamford, CT | edition = online | date = September 13, 2011 | url = https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Angela-Carella-A-clue-in-claim-of-lost-Lucy-2169351.php | access-date = January 4, 2018 }}</ref>

Arnaz dated actress [[Patty Duke]] when he was 17 and she was 23. He accompanied Duke to the 1970 Emmy Awards ceremony where she won the Emmy for Outstanding Single Performance. His mother did not approve of the relationship as it became tabloid news and Duke became pregnant. After they broke up, writer and music producer Michael Tell offered to marry Duke as a way out of the scandal. Their marriage lasted 13 days, and Duke later told her son, [[Sean Astin]], that Arnaz was his biological father. Arnaz and Astin developed a close relationship, although genetic tests later revealed that Tell was his biological father. Astin responded to press inquires, "I can call any of them on the phone any time I want to ... John, Desi, Mike, or Papa Mike ... my four dads."<ref name=ABCNews>{{cite news |title = Sean Astin's childhood with Patty Duke |website = [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] (abcnews.go.com) |date = 31 July 2004 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=124246 }}</ref>
(Sean Astin's stepfather was Michael Pearce, Patty Duke's husband after [[John Astin]].)

Arnaz was subsequently involved with entertainer [[Liza Minnelli]], another relationship of which his mother disapproved; Ball thought that the singer-actress was too old for her son and, because of Minnelli's perceived reckless lifestyle, not a good influence upon him. In May 1972, Arnaz announced his engagement to Minnelli.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 May 1972 |title=Desi tells plans to wed |page = 35 |newspaper = [[The Los Angeles Times]] }}</ref> He accompanied her to the Academy Awards ceremony in March 1973 when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.<ref name=":0"/> While in London, Minnelli ended their engagement, to be with comedian [[Peter Sellers]] in May 1973.<ref>{{cite news |title=Liza, in love with Peter Sellers, calls off engagement to Desi Jr. |date=22 May 1973 |page=1 |newspaper = [[The Buffalo News]] |place = Buffalo, NY }}</ref>

Arnaz married actress [[Linda Purl]] in 1979.<ref name="Kanfer book">{{cite book |first=Stefan |last=Kanfer |year=2007 |title=Ball of Fire: The tumultuous life and comic art of Lucille Ball |publisher=[[Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group]] |isbn = 978-030-742491-4 |page=290 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=j66uvWzubRwC&dq=linda+purl+desi+1979&pg=PA290 |quote=Desi Jr. had married an aspiring actress, Linda Purl, in 1979. ... A year later, Desi Jr. and Linda divorced.}}</ref> On January 3, 1980, Purl filed for divorce, which was finalized later that year.<ref name="Harris book">{{cite book |first=Warren G. |last=Harris |year=1991 |title=Lucy & Desi: The legendary love story of television's most famous couple |publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] |isbn = 978-067174709-1 |page = 595 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qXovXXGdpz0C&q=linda+purl+divorce+desi |quote = ... lasted a few days short of one year. Linda filed for divorce on January 3, 1980. }}</ref> On October 8, 1987, Arnaz married Amy Laura Bargiel.<ref>{{cite report |title = Nevada Marriage Index, 1956–2005 |type = on-line database |place = Provo, UT |website = Ancestry.com |orig-date = access-date c. 2007 }}</ref> The couple lived in [[Boulder City, Nevada]], with their daughter, Haley.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.lvol.com/lvlc/bouldertheatre.html |title = Boulder Theatre |website = lvol.com |place = [[Boulder City, Nevada|Boulder City]], NV }}</ref> In 1997, Arnaz purchased the Boulder Theatre in town and restored it, when it had been on the brink of ruin. After its conversion to a theatre, the cinema became the home of the Boulder City Ballet Company.

Desi's wife, Amy, died of cancer in 2015, at age 63.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lucille Ball's daughter-in-law, Amy Arnaz, dead at 63 |department = Exclusive |type = obituary |website=GoodHollywood.com |url=http://www.goodhollywood.com/details/lucille-ball-s-daughter-in-law-amy-arnaz-dead-at-63-exclusive |url-status=dead |access-date = 29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128134433/http://www.goodhollywood.com/details/lucille-ball-s-daughter-in-law-amy-arnaz-dead-at-63-exclusive |archive-date = 28 January 2015 }}</ref> Both Desi and Amy were followers of [[Vernon Howard]] and attended meetings of Howard's New Life Foundation in Boulder City.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chawkins |first=Steve |date=5 May 1988 |title=New age prophet offers mystic road map to inner bliss |newspaper = [[The Los Angeles Times]] |issn=0458-3035 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-05-ve-3292-story.html |access-date=May 2, 2017 |lang=en-US }}</ref> They also followed and have supported the spiritual writer Guy Finley (also one of Vernon Howard's students) and his Life of Learning Center for Spiritual Discovery.

Arnaz's granddaughter, Desiree S. Anzalone (daughter of Julia), a photographer, died from breast cancer on September 27, 2020, at age 31, six years after it was first diagnosed.<ref>{{cite news |last = Gifford |first = Storm |date = 9 October 2020 |title = Lucille Ball's great-granddaughter Desiree Anzalone dead from breast cancer at [age] 31 |type = obituary |newspaper = [[The New York Daily News]] |url = https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ny-lucille-ball-greatgranddaughter-20201010-fyyy4omygramjbmdos6kzbsqja-story.html |access-date = 10 October 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Stone |first=Natalie |date=9 October 2020 |title=Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's great-granddaughter Desiree S. Anzalone dies of breast cancer at age 31 |type = obituary |magazine = [[People (magazine)|People]] |url=https://people.com/tv/lucille-ball-and-desi-arnaz-great-granddaughter-desiree-s-anzalone-dies-age-31/ |access-date=October 10, 2020 |lang=EN-US }}</ref> Arnaz is still a resident of Boulder City, Nevada.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawley |first=Tom |date=2018-09-12 |title=VIDEO VAULT {{!}} Desi Arnaz Jr. and the New Life Foundation |url=https://news3lv.com/features/video-vault/video-vault-desi-arnaz-jr-and-the-new-life-foundation |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=KSNV |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Arnaz Jr. enjoys quiet life in Nevada |url=https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2002/oct/20/arnaz_jr_enjoys/ |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=LJWorld.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Div col}}
*1957: ''[[I Love Lucy]]'' – Spectator at Unveiling (1 episode, 1957)
*1962: ''[[The Lucy Show]]'' – Spectator (5 episodes, 1962–1965)
*1968: ''[[Here's Lucy]]'' – Craig Carter (1968–1972)
*1968: ''[[The Mothers-in-Law]]'' – Tommy (2 episodes, 1968)
*1970: ''[[The Brady Bunch]]'' (as himself) ("The Possible Dream" episode)
*1971: ''[[Love, American Style]]'' – Alan (segment "Love and the Motel Mixup") (1 episode, 1971)
*1971: ''[[The Mod Squad]]'' – Victor Emory (1 episode, 1971)
*1971: ''Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones'' (Made for TV movie) – Bo Jo Jones
*1971: ''[[Night Gallery]]'' – Doran (1 episode, 1971)
*1971: ''[[Red Sky at Morning (1971 film)|Red Sky at Morning]]'' – William 'Steenie' Stenopolous
*1973: ''[[Marco (1973 film)|Marco]]'' – Marco Polo
*1973: ''[[She Lives!]]'' (TV) – Andy Reed
*1973: ''Voyage of the Yes'' (TV) – Cal Markwell
*1974: ''[[Billy Two Hats]]'' – Billy Two Hats
*1975: ''[[Medical Story]]'' – Jerry Mitchell (1 episode, 1975)
*1975: ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]'' (1 episode, 1975)
* 1976: ''[[Saturday Night Live season 1|Saturday Night Live]]'' (February 21, as musical guest)
*1976: ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' – B. J. Palmer (1 episode, 1976)
*1976: ''[[Police Story (1973 TV series)|Police Story]]'' – Jay Vernon (2 episodes, 1976)
*1976: ''[[Julie Farr, M.D.|Having Babies]]'' (TV) – Frank Gorman
*1977: ''[[Black Market Baby (film)|Black Market Baby]]'' (TV) – Steve Aletti
*1977: ''[[Joyride (1977 film)|Joyride]]'' – Scott
*1977: ''Flight to Holocaust'' (TV) – Rick Bender
*1978: ''[[How to Pick Up Girls!]]'' (TV) – Robby Harrington
*1978: ''[[Fantasy Island]]'' – Barney Hunter (1 episode, 1978)
*1978: ''[[A Wedding (1978 film)|A Wedding]]'' – Dino Sloan Corelli
*1978: ''The Courage and the Passion'' (TV) – Sgt. Tom Wade
*1978: ''To Kill a Cop'' (TV) – Martin Delahanty
*1978: ''[[The Love Boat]]'' – Steve Hollis (2 episodes, 1978)
*1979: ''[[Crisis in Mid-Air]]'' (TV) – Tim Donovan
*1980: ''[[The Great American Traffic Jam]]'' (TV) – Robbie Reinhardt
*1981: ''[[Advice to the Lovelorn]]'' (TV) – Steve Vernon
*1982: ''[[Fake-Out]]'' – Detective Clint Morgan
*1983: ''[[Automan]]'' – Walter Nebicher (13 episodes, 1983–1984)
*1983: ''[[The Night the Bridge Fell Down]]'' (TV) – Johnny Pyle
*1983: ''[[House of the Long Shadows]]'' – Kenneth Magee
*1987: ''Paul Reiser Out on a Whim'' (TV)
*1987: ''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]'' – Michael Porter (1 episode, 1987)
*1992: ''[[The Mambo Kings]]'' – Desi Arnaz Sr.
{{col div end}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|0036107}}

{{Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year Actor}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arnaz, Desi Jr}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male child actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:New Star of the Year (Actor) Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:American entertainers of Cuban descent]]
[[Category:American people of English descent]]
[[Category:American people of French descent]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Arnaz family|Desi]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American drummers]]
[[Category:American male drummers]]
[[Category:21st-century American drummers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:American musicians of Cuban descent]]
[[Category:Drummers from Los Angeles]]