Spencer Dryden was drummer for the San Francisco rock band, Jefferson Airplane. In February 1971 Dryden replaced Mickey Hart in the country rock band The New Riders of the Purple Sage. In 1982, he formed supergroup the Dinosaurs with fellow Bay Area musicians Peter Albin of Big Brother, John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service, Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead, and Barry Melton of Country Joe and the Fish. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 with his Airplane band mates, inducted by Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart.
DTV caught up with Spencer at the 1989 Haight Street Faire where we spoke with him backstage. Spenser lamented the recent surprise passing of his bandmate, guitarist John Cipollina, who he thought was on the mend, and shared a revealing story about John’s offbeat sense of humor in the early days of the Dinosaurs. Dryden also discussed Airplane reunion rumours and revealed the “Secret of San Francisco Rock and Roll”.
World Premier of this interview. Produced for Dead Head TV but unreleased until now.
Producer/Editor/Script: Scott Wiseman
Narration: Jarid Johnson
Principal Camera: Jesse Block
Camera: Kathy Watkins
Music: Jefferson Airplane
Photos: Herb Greene, Bill Jacobellis, Joe Tabacca
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