Ed "Cass" Cassidy (born May 4, 1923) is the drummer and was one of the founders of the rock group Spirit in 1967. Among the other original members was his stepson, Randy California. Prior to Spirit, Cassidy had been a member of the Rising Sons (together with Ry Cooder) and Taj Mahal. Cassidy had a long career as a jazz musician dating back to 1937, and played together with Art Pepper, Julian Cannonball Adderley, Roland Kirk, Lee Konitz and Gerry Mulligan. Cassidy is currently the oldest active drummer.