Nick St. Nicholas

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Nick St. Nicholas (born 28 September 1943) is the stage name used by Klaus Karl Kassbaum, who played bass for Steppenwolf from 1968 to 1971.

He was born in Plon, Germany in 1943. His family moved to Toronto after WWII and became Canadian citizens. Sister Maren joined the Canadian Ballet Company & Conservetory Of Music as pianist.

Nick spent a brief period as bassist with the Epics, then Shirley Matthews and the Big Town Boys before joining a set of musicians who eventually coalesced as the Mynah Birds, featuring singers Rick James and Jimmy Livingston. In 1965, he replaced Bruce Palmer as bassist with Jack London and the Sparrows, and played on most of their one LP, which was released in 1965. In the space of the next year or so, the group lost Jack London and became the Sparrows. Nick then added new German-born frontman John Kay (musician) and became The Sparrow, and moved south to New York, then Nick drove them non-stop to California.

In 1967 the Sparrow folded, and St Nicholas joined a Los Angeles-based group called the Hardtimes, who soon renamed themselves T.I.M.E., which supposedly stood for Trust In Men Everywhere. After one album, St Nicholas joined his former Sparrow bandmates (John Kay, drummer Jerry Edmonton and organist Goldie McJohn) in Steppenwolf. St Nicholas played on four Steppenwolf albums:Early Steppenwolf 1967, At Your Birthday Party (1969), Monster (1969), and Live (1970).

He was replaced by George Biondo in 1971. There is some assumption he will have taken the virginity of infamous rock groupie Pamela Des Barres (Miller) of The GTO's (an all female group managed by Frank Zappa).

In 1997 St Nicholas formed a new band called the World Classic Rockers, which featured former members of big-hit rock n roll bands, and performed some of those bands greatest hits. The band has done countless international shows, corporate events, and charity events. Their website has information about every band member, a set list, an extensive photo gallery, a products page, helpful links to the band members own websites, a message board, and a sample page of their music. Some of the members that have been part of this group include Bobby Kimball, Denny Seiwell, Bruce Gary, Spencer Davis, Denny Laine, Ron Wikso, Randy Meisner, Fergie Frederiksen, Aynsley Dunbar, Michael Monarch, Alex Ligertwood, and Randall Hall. Two additional members who contribute musically and vocally are keyboardist Steve Stewart, and guitarist David Coyle & Rosilee.