Weighted Down: The Complicated Life of Skip Spence

Skip Spence was a soldier, a rock star, a folkie, an innovator, an addict, a cult phenomenon, and a ward of the state. The cast of characters in his story includes some of the biggest stars in music: Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, and many more. His life encapsulates the story of the Sixties—it's the story of San Francisco, America's biggest bands, and rock'n'roll mayhem.

Although Spence spent much of his life battling addiction and mental illness, during his lucid moments he performed in several bands and is best known for his work with Jefferson Airplane and as the co-founder of Moby Grape. Tracks from his cult solo album Oar have been covered by Tom Waits, Beck, and Robert Plant.

With family photos, a foreword by Robin Spence, and accounts from his friends, bandmates, and family, Weighted Down is the first book to tell his story in full.