Carmassi was born into a family of drummers; his father, his uncle, and his brother each played the drums.

His father exposed him to great drummers, including Buddy Rich, Jimmy Vincent and Richard Goldberg.

Fontana, Al Jackson Jr., Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks, Dino Danelli, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, John Bonham, and Tony Williams.

Out of high school, he started playing topless clubs in San Francisco.

He joined a band called Sweet Linda Divine and recorded an album in New York on Columbia, produced by Al Kooper, but before long they parted ways.