Spencer Charles Dryden (April 7, 1938 – January 11, 2005) was an American musician best known as the drummer for Jefferson Airplane and New Riders of the Purple Sage.

In interviews, Dryden has fondly recalled playing at his famous uncle's Hollywood studio as a child when visiting his father.

[1][3] During that time, Dryden became friends with Lloyd Miller, also born in 1938, who lived down the street on Royal Boulevard in the Rossmoyne neighborhood of Glendale, California.

In mid-1966, Dryden was recruited to replace Skip Spence as the drummer in Jefferson Airplane, a leading San Francisco psychedelic band.

[1][4] A feature of live Airplane sets at the time were free-form improvisational jams, with Dryden's licks complementing Casady's fluid style, examples of which can be heard on "Thing" and "Bear Melt" from Bless Its Pointed Little Head.

[5][6] The song "Lather", appearing on the Airplane's Crown of Creation, is said to have been written by Grace Slick on the occasion of Dryden's thirtieth birthday.

Founding editor of Rolling Stone and music critic, Ralph J. Gleason, published The Jefferson Airplane and the San Francisco Sound in 1969.

[1] Dryden left the music business for a short period, but returned to drumming as a member of the New Riders of the Purple Sage.

In May 2004, a benefit concert that included performances by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and Warren Haynes was held, raising US$36,000 to help pay Dryden's medical expenses.

[2][4] The benefit re-kindled Dryden's friendship with Jefferson Airplane band member Jorma Kaukonen, who remembered him fondly for the way he said "Aww, MAN!

[4] Dryden's last public appearance was in 2004 with Jefferson Airplane band members, at a DVD party for the release of the group's Fly documentary.

[4][6][14] At the news of his death, Grace Slick and other band members wrote tributes to Dryden that appeared on the group's website.