Monterey Pop Festival 1967: Focus on Skip Spence, Moby Grape

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Skip Spence was a Canadian-born American singer-songwriter and musician who was co-founder of Moby Grape, and played guitar with them until 1969. In the same year, he released his only solo album, Oar, and then largely withdrew from the music industry. He had started his career as a guitarist in an early line-up of Quicksilver Messenger Service, and was the drummer on Jefferson Airplane's debut album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off.

He was dismissed by the band after taking an unannounced vacation to Mexico. He briefly considered joining Buffalo Springfield as a drummer before returning to the guitar to co-found Moby Grape.

The band was known for its psychedelic sound and its unique lineup, which featured five members who all sang and played multiple instruments. Moby Grape released their debut album in 1967, and it was a critical and commercial success. Spence's unique songwriting and guitar playing helped to define the band's sound.

During the recording session of Moby Grape's second album, Wow, in 1968, Spence attempted to break down a bandmate's hotel room door with a fire axe, while under the influence of LSD. Spence's deterioration in New York and the "fire axe incident" are described by bandmate Jerry Miller as follows: "Skippy changed radically when we were in New York." Spence was diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent time in a psychiatric hospital. He was released in 1969 and rejoined Moby Grape for a brief tour, but he left the band soon after.

Spence continued to struggle with mental illness for the rest of his life. He died in 1999 at the age of 52.