All Jefferson Airplane Members Who Have Sadly Died

Who was your favorite band member of either Jefferson Airplane or Jefferson Starship? And did you know that majority of these band's original members are sadly no longer with us? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section down below.
▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
01:03 - Paul Kantner
02:44 - Signe Toly Anderson
04:33 - Marty Balin
06:06 - Skip Spence
06:45 - Spencer Dryden
07:50 - Joey Covington
08:38 - Papa John Creach
09:34 - Outro
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Classic rock fans already know all about how the San Franciscan group Jefferson Airplane virtually revolutionized the genre of psychedelic rock. Jefferson Airplane was formed in 1965 and were one of the groups that helped define what's known as the San Francisco sound.
After headlining groundbreaking events such as the Monterrey Pop Festival in 1967 and Woodstock in 1969, they became household names of sorts. One of their most noteworthy albums, Surrealistic Pillow, which hit store shelves in 1967, is often regarded as one of the most significant records of the late 60s.
In 1972, Jefferson Airplane, in its original form split up into two separate factions. Lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Cassidy ended up forming their own band named Hot Tuna. Lead vocalist Grace Slick, guitarist Paul Kantner, drummer Spencer Dryden, and backup vocalist Marty Balin, went on to form another band called Jefferson Starship.
Many of the band members that originally made up Jefferson Airplane's line-up are sadly no longer with us. Join FactsVerse as we take a look at which members of the band have passed away and which ones are still alive and kicking.
All Jefferson Airplane Members Who Have Sadly Died

[@FactsVerse]

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[@johnpolitis9060]

My favorite members of The Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship are Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Diana Mangano, and Darby Gould.

[@juliereminiec4937]

My favorite member of both Jefferson airplane & Starship is Grace Slick ....Ms.Slick's vocals were very distinctive and some of my favorites ( especially on Somebody to Love & White Rabbit) It's a shame that she single handedly destroyed them through alcohol uses

[@harrylee4698]

Marty Balin #1

[@michaelnewman2133]

@@johnpolitis9060

[@1blastman]

Signe Anderson - would love to hear more of her singing.

[@westernnoir4808]

C'mon you can't call Marty Balin a backup vocalist. He was one of the singular voices of the sixties and a crucial force in building a San francisco sound. He is so essential that a film of the sixties music scene in San Francisco wouldn't have any merit without him. In fact some enterprising younger person should make that movie now, and give the world a rare gift.

[@DavidLopez-om5rf]

i was literally gonna comment the same thing before i scrolled and saw your comment

[@RAW-zz7gt]

To be fair, this video is about Jefferson Airplane members and how / when they passed. He talks about their pertinence to this band. He can’t really go into great detail about each solo career. I, too, love Marti Balin. Why not just ask for a video of Marti Balin’s life? Have a great day! Peace ✌🏼 ☮️

[@BetKev13]

YES! And Grace + Marty, as "The Dynamic Duo!" Lead Vocalist's ❤ TOGETHER! Never Failed To Emotionally and Spiritually, Inspire this younger iMyiSelfie to set my goals far above, for too many years now, with "No Regret's At All!" "If Only You'd Believe In Miracle's, So Would I"

[@johnstallings4049]

@@DavidLopez-om5rf ditto 🌎❄️😶👌❣️

[@imsocuteimsorich4952]

@@RAW-zz7gt 👍 right on brother right on,👍👌✌️

[@toddmichaelnyc]

Paul Kantner is described here as being the band's leader since the 60s, and Marty Balin as merely backup singer behind Grace Slick. But within the group, in their heyday, they considered Marty to be the leader.

[@kensolar69]

My understanding was that they shared leadership by splitting duties.

[@ChrisDolanEntertainment]

Marty Balin was said to be co vocalist and writer in the short documentary. However, it is understated about the man's contribution to the bands. Particularly, the re formed Jefferson Starship . Without his vocals on the 4 big hits, there may not have been any future for the band. Marty's hits also kept interest in the band by the record labels who believed if they have had two generations of bands & name change -could do it again, after many originals members left ( some came back after success including Grace Slick after 9mths away) allowing Mickey Thomas aboard from " Elvin Bishop Band" to front the band. This 3rd incarnation took flight & made for the most successful journey for the band in hit records and financially speaking. 10:10

[@caribman10]

Anybody knowing anything about JA knows that (1) it was Marty's band (2) he AUDITIONED the rest of the group members to paly at HIS club, the Matrix, for which he also did the artwork and PR. Paul "led" the band only when Marty wasn't involved.

[@shorelineboy]

@@caribman10spot on ,glad someone knows their history 😎

[@filmfootage]

Jorma is my favorite. He was my guitar teacher when he was working at Benner Music in San Jose. He was an amazing guitarist even when just giving simple guitar lessons. He was super nice and provided nothing but positive feedback. I'm glad he's still around.

[@gregoryczumak5330]

Yeah, definitely one of the most under-rated guitar players ever. As great as Airplane was, I think that he really peaked with Jack in later years... heck, Jorma's STILL putting out amazing music!

[@FactsVerse]

Fun stuff, thank you for sharing this information. We're glad to know that you had a chance to study with Jorma ❣

[@debralawson1491]

@@gregoryczumak53300) I

[@haintedhouse2990]

how cool to study with jorma - there was something so moving and distinctive about his guitar work. my favorites are his solo's on "Watch Her Ride", "Good Shepherd", "Greasy Heart" wow i could go on.....

[@brianht1434]

Jorma Kaukonen is an incredible guitarist and Jack Casady sure can play thunder on his bass! Thankfully the two best musicians are still alive! Keep on truckin!

[@MWL4466]

Jorma is criminally underappreciated as a guitarist. He is a fine musician and very talented !!

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@chrisarensdorf9656]

Yep! Been listening to him all weekend ❤ Hot Tuna too

[@meridianleeward6370]

Great guitarist but can't get on with his voice.

[@chrisarensdorf9656]

@@meridianleeward6370 yeah his voice is just ok. I love his phrasing though!!

[@sunandsage]

I have to agree. Jorma is not a great singer but he makes up for it with his guitar work.

[@larzybernard9617]

Some friends and I were fortunate to meet the Jefferson Airplane band members in 1967 if I remember right as they were boarding a bus out of Asbury Park, NJ after a show at the convention center and heading to NYC. We had been down there to see the show earlier. It was 2:am and Grace was very nice and chatted with us. As the bus pulled away she was in the window waving directly at me and I was so happy!

[@danielcruz8347]

Nice to hear.. Memorable..thank you for sharing..peace

[@robertcartwright563]

Airplane did not like east coast tours,uptight cops they said

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you and your friends had a chance to meet the band in person! What is your favorite song of them?

[@robertcartwright563]

Crown of Creation,Martha,Good Shepard,Have You Seen the Stars Tonight and many others

[@FactsVerse]

@@robertcartwright563 Great songs 👍

[@annwrog]

Marty Balin was a wonderful vocalist. I love his voice. Jack Casady was always so cool and chill. And a phenomenal bass player.

[@garyleimback484]

Marty Balin's soulful singing gets my vote. Coupled with Grace Slick's soaring vocals and Paul Kantner's alternating leads and harmonies, this became my favorite rock band.

[@ronw76]

I agree 99%! I would just put Kantner ahead of Slick because of his music composition skills.

[@johnwilliams1223]

Mine as well! His voice was just the best.

[@dlobrown3673]

@@ronw76 imagine if the great society had a professional lead guitarist and a drummer then we all know whether we like it or not great society would have been the sf band on dick clark I love signe but Grace just rules whether we like it or not it's the acid man I know it. She's too hypnotizing

[@colleenstilwell1409]

Marty Balin had an incredible voice ❤

[@FactsVerse]

Glad to know that you love Jefferson Airplane! What is your favorite song?

[@JamesRea2]

I miss Marty the most. He voice was the greatest.

[@colleenstilwell1409]

Me too 😊

[@josephclark4999]

I've told many people he has the greatest voice in rock,

[@dougdeal234]

He wrote all their hits and put the original band together which this fact thing sorely overlooked ..Marty was my Bro in law for 30 yrs

[@josephclark4999]

@@dougdeal234 I really like the song Hearts. What a voice, Also Love Lovely Love of the Spitfire album, P,S,' yore sister was one lucky lady to have married Marty, She must have been the inspiration for many of his songs, We were all lucky because of Marty. He gave the world a special gift,

[@dougdeal234]

@@josephclark4999 thank you sister was a musician ( keyboardist) thus how they met in the early 80s

[@JR3714]

As a young bass player back in the day, its impossible to overstate the influence and inspiration from Jack Casady's playing. The live Airplane album Bless Its Pointed Little Head, was a revelation.

[@thedocofrock1890]

every time i think of jack i remember someone saying 'he plays a mean eyebrow too' ! can't remember who though

[@woodeymaynard7711]

I have heard a lot of bass players cite him as a big influence. I don't play bass; however, I liked his bass playing with Jefferson and Hot tuna.

[@thedocofrock1890]

@@woodeymaynard7711 hot tuna ! forgot about those guys

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we agree! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What is your favorite Jefferson Airplane song?

[@thedocofrock1890]

@@FactsVerse tough one. you might ask what my favorite 5 or 10 are ! d.c.b.a.-25 and comin back to me are up there. wild tyme , two heads. i could go on all day !

[@sueannsouza690]

Grace slick had such a beautiful powerful voice

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@ralphnoyes4366]

The singing, the songwriting, the wit, the sheer POWER she projected, her intellect, her beauty. A whole lot to love.

[@davidellis5141]

Surrealistic Pillow is one of my all time favorite albums - Particularly like two Marty Balin tracks - Today & Coming Back To Me.

[@thedocofrock1890]

still have my original vinyl - my 2 favorites also along with she has funny cars. also still have after bathing at baxters. epic album

[@robertcartwright563]

Surrealistic Pillow cost 10k to make,not bad,Paul Kantner was a great rythem

[@robertcartwright563]

Rhythm guitarist,l believe Paul wrote some of the songs.Paul is also a great singer.Jorma,Jack,Grace,Marty all talented.Great band,saw them

[@westies1962]

I agree! I have most of the Jefferson Airplane CDs in my stash, save for After Bathing at Baxters, that the classic line up recorded from 1967 to 1969!!

[@chrisbudai409]

Those are two of my favorite Marty Balin songs,if you can sing these two songs you will have the women melting in your arms, Surrealistic Pillow is a great album released 2-5-67 one week before I was born

[@chrisnlu]

Marty Balin has to be one of my favorite songwriters. He wrote some of the most heartfelt ballads that I've never heard.

[@juliereminiec4937]

I love Marty Balin's song Miracles.....

[@obikari7721]

Songs like today and comin' back to me are really wonderful ballads

[@johng1758]

Yea he did, which makes the fact he literally took on hells angels all that much more interesting.

[@noelsalisbury7448]

@@johng1758 He got up, said the same thing again, and they knocked him down again, the vile boors. Marty certainly had big ones.

[@mglaze156]

You never mentioned Nicky Hopkins who played piano and keyboards on the Volunteers album. His piano playing added a whole new dimension to the Jefferson Airplane that had been missing up to that point. He also played a hugh role with QMS! And he played with the Rolling Stones and many other famous groups. But my favorite has to be Jack Cassidy. Just watching his facial expressions is fascinating. Also, Papa John Creach was a great one to watch. You can see how happy he was when he was playing with the Jefferson Airplane and then later with Hot Tuna even though he was probably 20 years older than them. There was no Rock and Roll when he first started playing violin but you can see on the videos he was really into it. The Jefferson Airplane was my favorite group of all time.

[@victorgat3893]

Nicky Hopkins, great and genious piano player. RIP

[@avlisk]

I was a huge Airplane fan from Surrealistic Pillow, my first non-Beatles album I ever bought, up to Volunteers, when the band began to splinter apart. We never thought of Marty as a "back-up singer". He was a co-lead singer.

[@FactsVerse]

Glad to know that you're a Jefferson Airplane fan! What is your favorite song of the band?

[@yarygork2334]

I agree! Still love every song on the "Pillow" its timeless

[@avlisk]

@@yarygork2334 True!

[@avlisk]

@@FactsVerse I always answer such questions with a look at my iTunes number of plays. Eskimo Blue Day and Volunteers (live at Woodstock) are currently tied at #1. Odd, because I'd take Surrealistic Pillow over Volunteers as my #1 album.

[@whishays5369]

If you had EVER seen the Airplane live in concert, you couldn’t have described Marty as Grace’s “backup”. Together they were the lead vocalistS. Their onstage chemistry was incendiary.

[@rod4795]

Red Octopus is one of the best albums of all the super groups. The vocal interaction between Marty and Grace was magical.

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@easybake8420]

The kind of song that makes your thighs spread open.

[@rod4795]

I bet you'd like Carly Simons "I've Got to Have You"@@easybake8420

[@hollymartens8059]

As a long time guitarist, I have been a big fan of Jorma for many years, but I'd have to say Marty. He had a fantastic, underrated voice and the character he showed at Altamonte, jumping into the crowd to confront a Hell's Angel who was beating a defenseless fan, still impresses the Hell out me. I imagine they needed an extra equipment truck just to carry his balls in. It's easy to be tough when it's easy.

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we agree! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What is your favorite song of the band?

[@brianht1434]

Best musician is no doubt Jorma Kaukonen. I need to say Kaukonen and Casady forming Hot Tuna was something that I am so thankful happened!

[@yarygork2334]

Craig Chaquico is alive and well and still plays a mean guitar! Hes living in Oregon. Hes my favorite member being a guitarist myself since 1963. He wrote "Jane" and I love that solo! He and two original members played a club in Marin about 5 years ago and Craig was kind enough to sign my old Strat after the show. I saw Craig 5 times live on his Acoustic Highway CD tour and was amazed at his skill and stage presence and hes just a wonderful modest guy!

[@akgobears]

Those original members you speak of were Pete Sears and Johnny Barbata...Along with Chaquico , both original members of Jefferson Starship not Airplane...Pete Sears plays in MoonAlice today....He is still one of the best all around musicians i have ever seen....Great Bass and Keyboard player....Also seen a show of that Acoustic Hwy tour you mentioned at a thing they used to call A La Cart, A La Park.....

[@brianht1434]

Jorma Kaukonen is an incredible guitar player and Jack Casady sure can play thunder on his bass! Hot Tuna is an amazing band! Who else played at Woodstock, N.Y. in 1969 and still tours now in 2022. 50 years of some of the best music that I have ever heard! I'm a longtime die-hard fan!

[@FactsVerse]

We're glad to know that you're a diehard fan of Jefferson Airplane. What song is the most memorable for you?

[@brianht1434]

@Facts Verse. No way one of my favorites, but most memorable "White Rabbit". I was ten feet tall, sure wish the rabbit was also!

[@billh.1940]

Went to many of hot tunas concerts in NYC. Their fans were rabid! All ways a great show!

[@johnb2905]

@@billh.1940 I was there also . Only concerts that when I walked out it was early morning light ...

[@thomasbrown4291]

Jack Casady, my favorite all time thundering bass player !

[@brucewailes7744]

Jack and Jorma are not only still alive, but still performing. I just got to see them last week at Fur Peace Ranch. I've been going to live Hot Tuna shows for 50 years now, and they are just as good now as they were when I first saw them at Tulagi on the Hill in Boulder.

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

MARTY BALIN was no "back up singer" - he was a driving force, composer, singer and lover of Grace Slick - girl singer.

[@caribman10]

He was a lot of things, but never Grace's "lover". Ask her.

[@monicazehm4333]

Grace Slick! Back in the day loved Grace and Janis Joplin, following their friendship. Both had awesome, unique voices. Sad how things go, all the deaths. I did know Grace is still around!

[@davidowens5898]

They weren't 'friends'; they were acquaintances. There's a difference.

[@monicazehm4333]

Excuse me David Owens. They were friends, at least that's what I remember reading and seeing pictures of. I didn't know them personally, so... Always has to be at least one smart___

[@dlobrown3673]

@@davidowens5898 Grace haters are everywhere

[@BernardGreenberg]

I was a huge fan in the late 60's, going to school around the corner from the Fillmore East in the days, hearing them there (and Hendrix and Clapton and others). Jorma was a huge influence on me as a putative guitarist, both in Electric and Acoustic modes. Jack Casady was simply the greatest bassist ... since Bach -- the connections between their two conceptions of bass is profound, and he, as he once characterized himself as _Yggdrasil Bass_ (the Norse Universe-supporting tree) underlay and supported this massive structure of the choral vocals, heartstoppingly-gorgeous Grace Slick's powerful voice, vibe, and writing, and a huge, body-shaking sound that really seemed to meet the description "airplane". And there were quieter, more sensitive moments, like "Today", and various Jorma efforts ("Good Shepherd", "Embryonic Journey") that filled out the profile of eclecticism and folk-roots. But when they soared, they ruled over all. (I've followed Hot Tuna since, all the way to Jorma's Quarantine concerts...). Those were the days. Coulda lived without the drug advocacy, but that was part of their song and mystique. And we need their defiant grandeur now: "Up against the wall! Tear down the wall!" Rest in peace and rock on.

[@haintedhouse2990]

Grace Slick - she had it all, good looks, amazing voice, cool stage presence, good sense of humor and White Rabbit!

[@jameswright5840]

She was also an impressive songwriter.

[@haintedhouse2990]

@@jameswright5840 absolutely - rejoyce, Two Heads, Lather, Greasy Heart, Eskimo Blue Day, Sunrise, Mexico, Lawman, Let it Go, Garden of Man.....

[@brucetucker4847]

Fantastic singer and songwriter, but she pretty much tore the group apart with sexual and songwriting politics breaking it into factions which more or less revolved around her.

[@brucetucker4847]

@@haintedhouse2990 I think it was as much the songwriting as the fame. Marty went from co-writing all of the original songs on the first album to having one half a songwriting credit on Volunteers as the rest of the band fell into creative factions - Slick and Kantner, Kaukonen and Casady - with Balin the odd man out (along with Dryden, but he also left the band). He still wanted to write, but they had little interest in performing his songs. That was far from entirely Grace's fault, but she was a big part of it, as was her romantic relationship with Kantner. They had some okay songs on the last two albums, but it just wasn't the same band at all, and never would be again even when Balin rejoined Jefferson Starship (which, for the most part, I loathe, especially after he and Grace left, it's the worst sort of 70s arena rock).

[@ralphnoyes4366]

@@brucetucker4847 Her drinking. Sad.

[@usernametaken5619]

Marty Balin was the best of Jefferson Airplane/Starship imo. He wrote some great songs and had a distinctive singing voice too.

[@FactsVerse]

Our favorite too, you've got taste! Which Jefferson Airplane song appealed to you the most?

[@edgardotorres8106]

Marty Balin was a great singer and I had his album collection! Rest in peace Marty and the rest of the band ✌❤🙏 thank you for the music and memories ❤❤😭

[@edwardgonczy3170]

Jorma. He has continued to keep the "vibe" alive by running "Fur Peace Ranch" where he is a guitar instructor. The music is what it was all about after all.

[@fantasyprincessgirl]

Grace Slick is my favorite of the groups!

[@FactsVerse]

Glad to know that you like Grace Slick! What is your favorite song of the band?

[@fantasyprincessgirl]

@@FactsVerse Somebody to Love

[@jamesstewart1129]

Without question Jack Casady was a huge influence on me as a young musician. I’m still amazed by the things he played on Baxter’s and pointed little head 50+ years later. Was just so completely unconventional, but good, solid, in the pocket, I can carry the entire band, bass! I also liked Marty Balin for his song writing.

[@FactsVerse]

We're glad to know that you have Jack Casady influences! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. What other types of videos would you like to see on our channel?

[@patdunham8140]

Just saw him last night in a hot tuna concert; he is still awesome

[@brianht1434]

Casady is absolutely an incredible bassist. No doubt one of the best bassist ever!

[@noelsalisbury7448]

Jack & Jorma - don't they run a Musical Teaching School called 'Fur Peace Ranch' or something similarly-named? What a beautiful thing for a pair of inspirational guys to do together. " Hot Tuna" ay... For me, it's " Honey and Salmon "

[@mianusonyourmouth4486]

Those Jefferson,s , both where very talented , and ever evolving, a fresh surprise on every single album, R.I.P. to , All Who have made another journey to Peace forever!

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@Mike21127]

This just sent me on a two hour journey through their music again, good stuff.

[@aannddrryyaa]

Was just listening to them last night... Grace Slick has got to be one of my all time fav vocalists

[@bunkie2100]

Such a difficult question. I consider Jack Casady to be one of the finest musicians rock music has ever produced. Grace Slick deserves her place on Mount Olympus for her vocal talent, songwriting and, most of all, for being absolutely fearless. Paul Kantner may not have had the greatest voice or the best guitar skills, but his songwriting, vision, commitment and unwavering belief in the future make him one of my personal heroes. I had the great pleasure of seeing one of the last shows he performed with Jefferson Starship and singer Cathy Richardson expressed my feelings calling out to the audience during the bows, “This is Paul ****ing Kantner!” reminding us that we were in the presence of someone who really mattered.

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we agree and would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts. They all have a special place in our hearts 😁

[@ralphnoyes4366]

Some have suggested that a key interplay in the band was Grace's vocals and Jack's remarkable bass.

[@haintedhouse2990]

i can still remember the first time i heard a very powerful voice assaulting me on AM radio with "when the truth is found to be lies...." i knew my life would never quite be the same.

[@ralphnoyes4366]

Just like my first exposure to Janis Joplin around 5/68 just as I was graduating from high school. I guessed it was Janis, and it was.

[@bmarte01]

ST. Charles, the brilliantly written and inspiring words of All Night Long, and all of Blows are among my favorite JS songs... All of Crown of Creation and Volunteers contain my favorite JA songs. Baron Von Tollbooth a shear joy to listen to over and over again...Keep Riding the Tiger, That's for Sure, to all the good people out there!

[@avejoe]

Jefferson Airplane was a awesome band. We Built This City, Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now and etc are magnificent songs. I love this group. Great Musicians!

[@stevenmiller7747]

Starship did We build this city and Paul Kantner HATED the song. They were a great band but that song was embarrassing.

[@jumbles1957]

Jefferson Airplane was formed in 1965 and broke up in 1973. Their hit singles were “Someone to Love” and “White Rabbit”. The rest of their recording are legendary but did not go Top 40. The most infamous one of their songs was “We can be Together” from the Volunteers album. In that song, Grace Slick sings “Up against the wall m**********r”. The execs at RCA flipped and almost refused to release the album unless the offending line was removed. Jefferson Airplane was a totally different band than Starship. I won’t listen to Starship at all

[@brucetucker4847]

@@stevenmiller7747 Starship was called Starship because Kantner sued them and forced them to remove "Jefferson" from the name because none of the original members of JA were still in the band. But I don't think any of them had the epic hate-ons and decades-long lawsuits that plagued so many bands that broke apart acrimoniously - Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Cream, the Eagles, and the Mamas and the Papas especially come to mind.

[@ronjennings3038]

Apparently I number among the embarrassingly few tasteless souls who actually (wait for it...) like this song.

[@robertwood4681]

Covington joined the Airplane after Volunteers, though he played on a couple of tracks. Spencer was the drummer during recording and during their phenomenal performance at Woodstock. He left after the Altamont debacle. He was the nephew of Charlie Chaplin.

[@DeadBunny69]

Skip Spence solo album "Oar" is fantastic. A forgotten gem.

[@ralphnoyes4366]

OOOOH YES !!

[@ygoryanka3729]

Fantastic and creepy ("Grey / Afro"). Very special.

[@ralphnoyes4366]

@@ygoryanka3729 Yep. I understand he got out of Bellevue six months after the fire axe incident in the hotel, got on a motorcycle in just his bathrobe, drove straight to Nashville and recorded the album in 12 hours. Make of that what you will,

[@ygoryanka3729]

@@ralphnoyes4366 I think he was also a bit disturbed by LSD abuse. He is not the only one from that time and place. However, as a European (Belgium), I really like that time and the "San Francisco Sound". One of the most beautiful songs of that time that I know is "Sitting by the windows", by Moby Grape, and the most exciting, the most joyful, is a song of Jefferson Airplane from the "Skip" Spence period : "It's no secret". So "Skip" Spence interests me a lot.

[@ralphnoyes4366]

@@ygoryanka3729 Skip was definitely a drug casualty. I suspect he had mental problems even before that. Tragic. We're talking about someone who could have been a huge star, but in his later years, he drifted around SF, coke, heroin, alcohol. LSD may have triggered the downward cascade because he was unstable to begin with, but it also triggered his brilliant music. Artists can be very self-destructive.

[@tod3msn]

Marty Balin was the songwriter who wrote those lasting pop hits and Grace Slick certainly wrote the iconic easily hits. Paul Kanter was super nice and signed the first album for me after a show but the drugs and road wore him out. Really nice guy.

[@ralphnoyes4366]

@Uh Yeah If they had kept the balance they had on their albums up to, say, BPIPLH, they could have kept going on and on. But those were all strong personalities, going their own respective ways. I adored PK, but he became too big of an influence. His earlier songs (Martha? Saturday Afternoon?) were a lot better than what came for decade after decade afterwards. He got in a rut. The band needed more Balin songs as time went on, and Balin-Kantner songs, but Marty was being sidelined, perhaps by his own choice. I don't think it's right to charactrize Marty as a "lounge singer", as someone did above. Come on, "Plastic Fantastic Lover? In Time? If You Feel? Caroline? Miracles? If he had stayed aboard, the canonical Airplane might have lasted a lot longer.

[@michaelharned8741]

I liked Grace Slick she had a wonderful voice

[@FactsVerse]

Us too! Which Jefferson Airplane song appealed to you the most?

[@bobgreenfield9158]

Grace Slit died?

[@naudianeels1328]

@@FactsVerse White rabbit is my favorite. Grace Slick didn't die did she? 😞💔

[@sheddski2942]

paul kantner has said when he finally had it is when We built this city came out he even gave the middle finger to the song on MTV in a interview laughing saying i dont give a blank !! ya he was my favorite 😎👍☠️

[@robertcartwright563]

Bernie Taupin wrote we built this city,Elton John's Songwriter

[@fotograham]

I remember that interview.

[@prairiewolfo9274]

Jefferson Starship were coming to the UK in the mid 1970’s. I eagerly bought a ticket. However, a magistrate (circuit judge) decided that I should be locked up the Friday before the gig, so that I could be transported several hundred miles to appear in court on the following Monday. With a heavy heart, I took my ticket back to the shop and never got a chance to see my favourite band. Grace Slick is my favourite member because she has shared experiences of being hustled by the police when she hadn’t done anything wrong. This makes me feel a little stronger.

[@flyoverdispatches5655]

They, The Airplane, had a killer reunion tour and self titled album back in the late 80’s.. I saw them at The Greek Theater at UC Berkeley…. Great show. The band took an intermission and a couple minutes later here comes Jorma and Jack dragging a couple of stools with them. They did a set of Hot Tuna while the others took their break. That reunion album I think is one of the most overlooked records out there. Sponge like “Freedom”, “Planes”, and “Madeleine Street” are epic…. They’ll always be one of my favorite bands and are represented accordingly on my playlists.

[@FactsVerse]

Brings back memories, thanks for sharing this 💕

[@neilfriedman]

I believe Jefferson Airplane were the best group to come out of America. Paul Kantner wrote some of my favourite songs, and I miss him more than any other musician that has died. Hot Tuna still rocks

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@brianht1434]

After 50 years- Hot Tuna sill rocks! Hard to believe!

[@gregthornton4209]

The Sunfighter album by Kantner and Slick was one of the best psychedelic albums ever made

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

Just picked this up on vinyl

[@billjackson1317]

Skip Spence was also involved in the early days of the Doobie Brothers in San Jose, after he left Moby Grape .

[@rockinrollin8306]

Grace Slick was amazing with great voice and charisma! She was the main ingredient that kept this band entertaining!

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@MisterJeffy]

The first album, "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off", featured Signe Toly Anderson's and Marty Balin's warm, powerful, clean, clear voices , with a distinctive guitar arrangements creating a simple, but unmistakably new sound together. That album holds up beautifully. It's still a joy to listen to it.

[@jonathanh8187]

Marty Balin, co-founder of Jefferson Airplane was not a "backup vocalist". He was a co-lead vocalist with Grace. With Signe, in the days before Grace, he was the main vocalist.

[@kixigvak]

I graduated from high school in the Bay Area and discovered the Airplane my senior year. They were an awesome band and I saw many great performances. Once at the Fillmore in 1968 Spencer bought me a beer at the bar at the Fillmore.

[@orkneyrd]

"Once at the Fillmore in 1968 Spencer bought me a beer at the bar ... ' In my circles we note any "brush with greatness" we've experienced and that fun memory would be an official brush with greatness contribution, where I come from.. The beer, that's the clincher. ;-)

[@writer125]

Jorma & Jack, got to see a bunch of Hot Tuna shows and then Jorma solo. You forgot to mention of the Airplane Reunion back in 1989. Got to see two shows on that tour, the whole band sounded great. Plus it was just so great to see them back together again. Should mention, it was everyone except Spencer Dryden. They all hated him the first time and didn't want him back for the reunion. Thanx for posting this.

[@The-Contractor]

The Airplane might have been the sound of San Fran, but Quicksilver Messenger Service defined the West Coast sound. Still love the music of both groups to this day.

[@noelsalisbury7448]

Happy Trails, what an Album to drive along to.

[@rayfrazier8657]

Kaukonen & Casady who will be playing Carnegie Hall this month(4/22/2022) have always been the driving force of the JA & great influences in music. At 82 & still doing it how great that is.

[@johnnyjohn2527]

I mostly remember Jefferson Starship/Starship with lead vocalist Mickey Thomas in the late '70s and 1980s. Great tunes. Good memories. 🎸❤👍👍✌

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@ralphnoyes4366]

Icky Mickey? No thanks!

[@robtomaro5171]

I am unable to pick a favorite member of the Airplane. The synergy and chemistry among all the members of the band was unique and was unable to be matched by any other band. What wonderful music they gave us back then. Sending love out to them all, where ever they are.

[@FactsVerse]

No worries and thank you for your message for Jefferson Airplane. What other types of video would you like to see on our channel?

[@dharmabeachbum6330]

Jorma. Jack. Paul. Marty. Grace. I loved them all. And Spencer Dryden just tore it up on the drums. This lineup put out four great albums in a row. I followed the work of the above-mentioned members in the subsequent decades as well, and I feel extremely lucky to have been along for the ride.

[@truthseeker2321]

Very few people knew that Spencer Dryden was Charlie Chaplin's nephew. Even his former band members didn't know until after his death.

[@DarylBark]

2:46 Not a photo of Signe but one of Grace!

[@kennyspaulding796]

Yes. Big difference between the two. Drives me nuts when they do that.

[@DarylBark]

@@kennyspaulding796 Yes me too. Must have been just a momentary lapse of attention because they later went on to use the same photo when referring to Grace. 🤔

[@laserlithuanian]

great video !!

[@FactsVerse]

Thank you for sharing your favorite song of Prince! Who is your all-time favorite singer?

[@Salve01]

I bought "Take Off" when it was first released here in Sweden a lot of years ago, and from the first listening Jack's bass sound made a lasting impression on me.

[@caryboyd2181]

Jorma and Jack Were the backbone of the Airplane and Hot Tuna. I love them the most. I've seen Hot Tuna and Jorma many times. Hot Tuna is one of my favorite bands of all time. I've seen Starship 3 times and talked to all the members of the group. I never did see the original Jefferson Airplane. Cary in Tucson

[@glennkovacs1328]

Hands down the backbone of the band, agree with everything you said, also one of my faves, saw them in asbury park many many years ago lol

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇸🙏 Thank you for sharing

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@klmullins65]

My favorite Airplane members are actually the three that are still living! Jack Cassidy, Jorma Kaukonen, and Grace Slick... Though I have tremendous respect for Paul Kantner and Marty Ballin too. Alot of people don't realize it, but the Airplane performed an impromptu rooftop performance, on a busy city street in mid day, a month or two before The Beatles' did theirs! The similarities are uncanny...you can find videos of both performances here on KZbin!

[@brucetucker4847]

I think that was in the documentary you can also find on KZbin. Odd choice of songs, though - they did "The House at Pooneil Corners," which is not exactly the most easy or accessible song for new or casual fans to appreciate.

[@haintedhouse2990]

Paul McCartney was a big Airplane fan, coming to the studio in LA when Airplane was recording After Bathing at Baxters, so perhaps the Beatles rooftop performance got an extra push from Paul.

[@klmullins65]

@@brucetucker4847 that didn't matter the The Airplane....by the time 1968/69 came around, they had adopted an improvisational approach to their live shows where they played each song different than they'd played them previously

[@richardo5951]

Jacks' last name is spelled Casady.

[@1blastman]

Would like to see a lot of info on West Coast and 60's Bands like Love, Beau Brummels, Sly and the Family Stone, Chambers Brothers, West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Little Feat, Fanny, Clear Light, St. John Green, Kim Foley, Moby Grape, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Country Joe and the Fish, People, Sons of Champlain, Spirit, Tim Rose, Wind in the Willows, Emitt Rhodes, Lee Michaels, Fever Tree, Pearls Before Swine, Earth Opera, Circus Maximus, H.P. Lovecraft, Sweetwater, Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, Laure Nyro, The Flock, Auto Salvage, The Fuggs, Rotary Connection, The Blues Magoos, Salloom, Sinclair and the Mother Bear, The Buckinghams, The Left Banke, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Canned Heat, the Association, the Kaleidoscope, Wildflower, Harbinger Complex, Euphoria, The Other Side, The Youngbloods, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, The Ashes, and a band that may not have recorded but was popular in 1965 in Sacramento called "The Gear One". Any updates on these bands would be appreciated.

[@edthesecond]

Jack Casady is/was a monster bass player. He said in an interview that he was heavily influenced by Scott LaFaro, Bill Evans' first bass player, proving once again that if you want to be the best, you' have to steal from the best.

[@brianht1434]

Jack Casady is one of the best bassist ever!

[@patticallihan8515]

Grace slick, Janis Joplin . I lived in uk but loved the San Francisco music sound.

[@robertnewberg6231]

The lead guitarist for Jefferson starship in the 1980s was without a doubt my favorite band member.

[@MarkEmmett]

But nameless??

[@robertnewberg6231]

@@MarkEmmett Craig Chaquico but I will argue that's a difficult last name to remember. That does not take from his awesome skills at guitar.

[@brianht1434]

Craig Chaquico is no Jorma Kaukonen! The Airplane took a big nosedive when Jorma and Jack left to form Hot Tuna!🎸

[@danrothenhoefer4634]

Grace Slick has a fantastic voice!

[@FactsVerse]

We feel the same way! Thank you for watching our content. What is your favorite Jefferson Airplane song?

[@danrothenhoefer4634]

@@FactsVerse Somebody to Love

[@haintedhouse2990]

agreed. plus a good sense of humor. there's a clip on KZbin of Geraldo Rivera asking her "if you had to do it all over again what would you do differently?" she said "i'd have blonde hair and big tits."

[@denisest.pierre3854]

They had such a significant impact on my life and continue to do so. No other band touches my soul like them. Love them all. Wish I could have met Paul. He was a great and deep thinker.

[@FactsVerse]

Glad to know that Jefferson Airplane was one of your inspirations. Thank you for sharing your life story. What is your favorite song of the band?

[@denisest.pierre3854]

@@FactsVerse Too any because each writer had a different style. Marty touches your heart like no other. Paul has interesting songs with fantastic harmony, Jorma is sexy and bluesy, Grace is Grace. I can't choose. Maybe The Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil. But also, Today is a classic. Feels So Good? I love them all. I get really lost in a time warp. What happened to music??

[@haintedhouse2990]

i was lucky enough to have met Paul briefly, the nicest guy in the world, i thanked him for all the great music and he gave me a very sincere "you're welcome." spoke with Jack, Grace said "hi" to me and then there was the music.... what a gift. no music had quite the affect the Airplane's sound had on me. i completely relate to your comment.

[@rft2001]

Paul lived for the music, the band and his vision. He was the deepest thinker as you wrote. He was a good guy. I was fortunate enough to have met him numerous times. One time we went off together after a show looking for food. Having met all of the band with the exceptions of Grace, Spencer and Skip, I have to say that they were all very nice good people which is saying something since they were known to be a revolutionary and chaotic bunch. Marty let me sing with him one time at a show and emailed with me. Jorma is so wise, funny and personable. Jack is shy, sweet and super intelligent. It really hurt when Paul and then Marty went. I loved those guys. They were my favorite band and I saw them countless times.

[@haintedhouse2990]

@@rft2001 me too. i met everyone except Spencer and Marty. all down to earth which is not what I expected - i was singing with a band called Trouzer Mice - Paul and Grace chuckled at the name. Jack was so friendly and the nicest bunch of "acid-crazed hippies" one would ever want to meet. a sweet surprise which I'll never forget

[@charleschavarria7523]

I was to young to know all this info.when I started listening to music in 63 and all the years later.thanks that was good. I still have a papa John Creach album.never knew he was in the band.

[@Highland804]

Some of those photos you showed of the original female vocalist were actually Grace Slick. They were all mixed up with photos of Signe.

[@Audiogeek-kf2ez]

One of the first American bands I really like, but it was starship, that first Album Blows against the Empire. What an album, part of the grateful dead,CSNY, and others, a lot of excellent writing and new synthesizer work. And Grace Slicks vocal

[@orkneyrd]

"Have you seen the stars tonight? Would you like to go up on A deck and look at them with me? " Lovely stuff from some wonderful musicians. ;-)

[@nickiewilson6985]

Grew up listening to all the band's mentioned, Grace Slick was an amazing singer. Saw Starship in Vancouver, B.C, 🇨🇦 in the 70's.

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@davidgoosen1633]

I saw Jack and jorman in a very small venue possibly 38 years ago. Those guys hung around for a couple hours after the show and took requests! It was like nothing I'd seen before or since. There were no chairs in the venue and no security, people just sort of milled around, and would walk up to these guys and ask will you play this song and they would play them songs that weren't even theirs. My girlfriend Cherie and I stayed for what was probably 2 hours plus after the show, cuz we were in disbelief how friendly and accessible these guys were.

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you and your girlfriend had a nice time with Jack and Joman! Thank you so much for sharing this encounter with them. ❣

[@alexanderentezam6548]

They were all great musicians and singers - a real great supergroup and collective

[@robertmorris9972]

Most influential band of their time for what we called heads back then

[@edmondmiesch9104]

Grase Slick her voice is awesome, but I really liked the whole band they made great music together .

[@ronniebrown2517]

youtube has some really good , really long recordings of jeff plane jamming for hours with grateful dead...some very talented people .... i saw airplane in nyc 1968 while i was in the army there....unreal trippy , man....

[@brianht1434]

Titlled "Airplane House Jam" on KZbin. From late 60's including Jerry Garcia. Recommend people check it out if they haven't already!

[@dynamo6796]

You have used Grace Slick's photo and a few others when u first introduced Signe, Im positive its Grace. But great video

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@conniemaros]

Marty Balin was the lead vocalist and my very favorite. He wrote “Miracles” which has always been my favorite song and performed “Hearts”. Those were the days of my youth going to dance clubs like The Cheyenne Social Club in St Petersburg, Fl in the late 1960’s. Now have only the memories to make me laugh.

[@JohnHoulgate]

I love both JA and JS for the unique sounds both bands gave out. The Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Cassidy duo was/is legendary. I think more than anyone Jorma Kaukonen created and modeled the psychedelic guitar sound and was a huge influence on guitarists who came later.

[@orkneyrd]

Bingo! Jorma did create that sound we associate with psychedelic guitar leads. It was a style that then spread quickly, yet I agree, that it was Jorma's initial unique style that he pioneered that then became ubiquitous.

[@kiltedwolf2]

Jorma Kaukonen lives in Ohio and teaches guitar lessons when he's not touring with Jack Cassidy in a two man show. I saw them 3, maybe 4 years back . I was hoping to hear at least one JA or JS song. Didn't happen. Nonetheless, it was still nice to see legends like these two still at it.

[@ronfriedman8740]

Yeah, his Fur Peace Ranch. Jorma is also a tremendous gearhead - he really loves his cars and motorcycles. 😀

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci, I saw Jefferson Starship in 1974 or 75, great concert.

[@nancyadams9228]

One of our favorite gigs is the semi regular Hot Tuna revivals at Jorma’s Fur Peace Ranch. Virtuosity abounds!

[@dlobrown3673]

Calling Marty the backup singer is blasphemy

[@bluebird925]

Definitely blasphemy

[@ralphnoyes4366]

Definitely.

[@jamesmorelandoliver8897]

Surrealistic Pillow and After Bathing At Baxter's are incredible albums.

[@brianht1434]

Bathing at Baxter's is incredible! Good choice.

[@mikeodom5149]

Marty Balin hands down , great personal integrity, smooth unique voice , and song writer … they failed to mention when he was not playing guitar , he had a paint brush in hand , excellent artists as well .

[@freefrank9047]

Also didn't mention that Balin was a well-known folk singer in the S.F. scene in the early&mid sixties. He had really a unique voice and played a lot of concerts with other folk singers around the Bay Area.

[@byronmitchell3784]

As I watched the video history of the Jefferson Airplane / Starship. I realized that I have no favorite. I respected them, from all bands of 60'S, 7O'S, 80'S, 90's. As many have passed away as time has gone bye. I was blessed too Hear, then witness their many talents. For all these .45's, Albums, Cassette music Tapes, and Eventually C.D.'S. Was what mirrored my life as a grade school child of 60'S, Teenager in 70'S, Young adult in the 80's. Heading towards middle age from 90's into the 2000'S and beyond. Now retired and watching KZbin Videos too rekindle the greatest music memories ever ❤. Thanks to all the fine 🎵 Rock and Roll artist, dead and alive. ✌🎶

[@FactsVerse]

We're moved! Thank you for your beautiful message to Jefferson Airplane. Stay safe ❣

[@alanolson6913]

I grew up in the’60’s in Southern California as a teenager in Newport Beach. It was a good time to be young - although we didn’t think of it as ‘ making history’ , it was just what we did. Jefferson Airplane was my all time absolute favorite. I was fortunate enough to get to see them twice back then, along with a few dozen other bands. I don’t care if Grace sang a cookbook, I would have bought the album. That’s just how crazy I was / am about their music.

[@brianblais4573]

Only saw starship once on the Dragonfyl tour, however I did see HOT TUNA w/ Papa John Creech at The Cowtown Ballroom in KC,Mo. back in the early 70's. What a GREAT SHOW!

[@williambergen9572]

I got to hang out with Jorma Kaukonen in the mid 80s when he played at a private show at a club in Brooklyn called Wavelengths. We were having a blizzard that day and I went and bought him a guitar strings at a local music shop. When I got back we partied. I saw hot tuna for the first time on March 22, 1973 at the 46 Street Rock Palace in BROOKLYN. 10th row center stage what a show.I still watch it on KZbin.

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you were able to hang out with Jorma! Thank you for sharing your life story. How was he personally?

[@georgebrooks7809]

one of the best bands of all time.

[@avlisk]

There are times when I think they are the best band ever. Sometimes, though, I think it's Supertramp. Most times, I think it's The Beatles.

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@zaq55]

“The vibes were no longer what they used to be.” Ain’t that the truth.

[@yooperlooper]

I wasn't a big fan of JA or JS except for the long version of Miracles which I thought was one of the sexiest songs ever written. But I'm shocked at the turnover in the group and how so many died young, in their early 70's. Interesting. I always thought Grace Slick had a cool name and could really belt out a song.

[@AvoidsPikes-]

Yes! The edited version of that song plays in department stores and drug stores. If they ever heard the long version!😅 Fantastic song!

[@brucetucker4847]

That's not young for rock stars. It's kind of amazing that all of them but Spence made it into the 2000s, and him nearly so, given the lifestyles most of them led well into the 70s.

[@williammeise8415]

just saw hot tuna two weeks ago.they still bring it. one of my fav bands

[@bobquack1]

You have a picture of Grace Slick where Signe Anderson is being introduced. In addition, a little later a picture of Jefferson Starship is shown as Marty Balin is said to have founded Jefferson Airplane.

[@ronfriedman8740]

Hot Fuckin' Jorma!! Many years ago...like 1980s... I saw him perform solo in a small club in Brooklyn. What a treat to see him perform so close. I was literally only a few feet from him and could have easily engaged in conservation if I wasn't so in awe of his presence (lol).

[@tommysaulter9171]

I never was a big fan of Jefferson Airplane. But as a bass player, Jack Cassidy was “the” pocket that made the band work...

[@mikelake6750]

I was lucky enough to see the Airplane and the Doors at the Roundhouse in London 1968.... my first rock concert! Utterly amazing, I saw the Airplane and Tuna a bunch of times..... Jack is one of the greatest bass players I ever saw. Luv him.

[@FactsVerse]

Glad to know that you had the chance to see these legends live! Thank you so much for sharing your life story. Which of their songs appealed to you the most?

[@clarkewi]

Great band with unique and powerful vocal stylings.

[@FactsVerse]

We feel the same way! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. What other types of videos would you like to see on our channel?

[@valeriepickens2533]

I think it bothered me more when Balin died. He just seemed to be the most loving of them all.

[@feliznux]

Grace Slick, for her unforgettably singing.