Craig Smith: Search for Missing 60s Pop Star

If you’re a fan of 1960s music and culture, chances are you’ve stumbled upon a few legends whose stories seem almost too surreal to be true. But among all the rock gods and folk heroes, there remains a hauntingly overlooked figure: Craig Smith. His life was a tantalizing mix of promise, mystery, and misfortune—a tale that began with the glitter of the stage and spiraled into heartbreaking obscurity.

Who Was Craig Smith? A Star in the Making

Imagine being fresh out of high school, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Tom Selleck and Mickey Dolenz—not as some distant admirer, but as their classmate. That was Craig Smith’s reality. Born April 25, 1945, in California’s Studio City, Craig grew up in the heart of the entertainment industry. His early life bore all the trademarks of a Hollywood dream—an outgoing personality, musical talent, and an infectious drive to break free from a troubled household background.

By the early 1960s, Smith had immersed himself in LA’s folk music boom. Inspired by the likes of the Kingston Trio and a pre-superstar Bob Dylan, he frequented hootenannies and open mics, eagerly honing his craft. His big break came unexpectedly, landing a spot in a folk group on the Andy Williams Show. For two years, Craig was a regular television presence, even writing “Christmas Holiday,” which Andy Williams immortalized on his best-selling Christmas album. With royalties rolling in and a new Porsche in the driveway, the world was Smith’s oyster.

A Path Paved with Stardust—and Shadows

The trajectory seemed unstoppable. From writing hits for Andy Williams to nearly becoming a member of The Monkees—Smith reached the final auditions before accepting a lead in the TV pilot, “The Happeners.” Though the series was never picked up, Smith’s star kept rising. He formed a folk duo, Chris and Craig, secured a record deal with Capitol Records, and mingled on the emerging scene with the likes of Buffalo Springfield, the Beach Boys, and Mike Nesmith of The Monkees (who even produced their sessions).

But as the 1960s wore on, the counterculture’s winds began to reshape Smith’s ambitions. He discovered LSD, leading to a transformative (and ultimately destabilizing) spiritual awakening in the Mojave Desert. He chronicled visions, prophecies, and messages from above, convinced of his own cosmic significance. Eventually, Smith left the music industry and undertook a spiritual pilgrimage along the legendary Hippie Trail, from Istanbul to India.

Cracks in the Fantasy: The Early Signs

Was there anything in Craig Smith’s earlier years that signaled such a tragic destiny? Friends describe a charming, ever-smiling young man, but retrospective accounts acknowledge a deeper complexity. Smith’s outward charisma may have masked a lingering pain from a difficult family life, colored by alcoholic parents and thwarted dreams. His mother, a talented nightclub singer, was forced to abandon her career for family—an unfulfilled ambition that left its own mark. Smith’s climb in show business could be seen as both a desperate escape and a quest for approval.

The Music That Never Was

Among the fascinating artifacts of Smith’s transformation is the album “Apache Inca,” released under the pseudonym Maitreya Kali. Its raw, mystical cover and eccentric sleeve notes hinted at a fractured psyche, but the music revealed profound songwriting ability. Listeners have wondered why, if the work was so compelling, Craig Smith never achieved the widespread recognition he seemed destined for. Part of the answer lies in bad industry breaks, but a growing sense of his own spiritual mission—and the controversy and confusion it caused—ultimately isolated him from mainstream success.

The Mystery Lingers

Mike Stax, author of “Swim Through the Darkness: My Search for Craig Smith and the Mystery of Maitreya Kali,” spent fifteen years piecing together this enigmatic figure’s journey. His research unearthed not just Smith’s haunting music and lost television appearances, but a profoundly human story of creativity, ambition, and vulnerability.

For those who want to dig deeper, resources are available through Stax’s publications and the Feral House website. Smith’s records and those he wrote for others—including Andy Williams, The Monkees, and Glen Campbell—remain a poignant reminder of a talent that almost made it.

Why Craig Smith’s Story Still Matters

In a world where brilliance sometimes leads to isolation, Craig Smith’s life is a cautionary (yet inspiring) legend. It calls us to look past the headlines and listen to the unheard melodies—to find empathy for those artists whose gifts come at great personal cost. If you’re on your own creative path, Smith’s journey is a testament to the highs and lows that can come with chasing your dreams, and a reminder of the value of kindness, curiosity, and support—especially for those working out of the spotlight.

Keep Exploring the Unseen

Craig Smith’s story is just one among many that lie beneath the surface of popular history. “Things Visible and Invisible” continues to uncover these hidden legacies—from lost musicians to ancient mysteries, from scientific oddities to paranormal encounters. If this journey has intrigued you, consider subscribing to their channel, supporting on Patreon, or even sharing your own forgotten stories. The past has so much more to reveal—and sometimes, the greatest tales are those left unheard.

Discover, remember, and keep questioning—the world is still full of things both visible and invisible.

📕 Guest: Mike Stax

Mike is the respected editor of "Ugly Things" magazine, a publication focused on overlooked and obscure bands from the '60s and '70s. He’s written extensively for publications like Mojo and Rolling Stone, co-authored multiple books, and is the author of "Swim Through the Darkness: My Search for Craig Smith and the Mystery of Maitreya Kali."

🌍 Website: https://ugly-things.com/

📚 Book Info: Swim Through the Darkness (Feral House) https://feralhouse.com/swim-through-the-darkness/