Jefferson Airplane - If You Feel Like China Breaking (Live in Hamburg, 05/10/1968)

Jefferson Airplane performing „If You Feel Like China Breaking“ live in Hamburg in October, 1968.
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[@zombiestars42]

Marty's voice...one of the best hidden gems of rock'n'roll ❤

[@eilishoshea3349]

Just getting into the Airplane, his voice is amazing!

[@zombiestars42]

@@eilishoshea3349 I envy you to just discover them...They've been one of the most significant crush I ever had :)

[@eilishoshea3349]

@@zombiestars42 can't believe I've overlooked them for so long, they're so good!

[@zombiestars42]

@@eilishoshea3349 as your lawyer I advise you to start by listening to their second album "Surrealistic Pillow", then you should taste "After Bathing at Baxter's" for a full-blown psychedelic experience. To come down, try "Crown of Creation", their fourth LP. imo these albums are Jefferson Airplane at its highest. Their live LP "Bless its pointed little head" is excellent too. Then you can try their first LP, "Takes off", which is pleasant despite Grace Slick was not there yet. their 1969 most political try, "Volunteers", is according to me the beginning of the end, but still interesting in many ways. "Bark" and "Long John Silver", their last albums, are, to be honest, quite mediocre but you can still find gems into them ;) Enjoy !

[@eilishoshea3349]

@@zombiestars42 that's brilliant, thanks for the tips! So much to get into, love them.

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

Jack Casady is absolutely my favorite bass player of all time… And not just because I happen to own one of his signature basses - signed after a Hot Tuna show! Awesome tone on this song…

[@waynemoores]

NO one else plays bass the way he does...no one ever.

[@news603redux]

Spencer's drumming played a huge part in their success.

[@packhorsetriumph5319]

For sure their best drummer

[@skaterdudeprodutions]

Joey can't hold a candle to him.

[@edlawrence5059]

He reminded me of Ginger with his piehole open here.

[@amandawilcox9638]

@Chakra #5 Sad, but no mistake in the long run. I saw him in Eugene with New Riders (71?). Spencer was so drunk/loaded he fell backwards, almost off the stage. It was hard to watch.

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

imo An underrated drummer who isn't, but should be, mentioned in any discussions of great rock drummers. imo

[@bandit217]

It’s very unfortunate that it’s pretty hard to find a ton of good Airplane live videos that aren’t just lip synced TV performances. From what you can find they were incredible. Would love to actually see this one “live”

[@raymondpierotti8414]

The ones in concert are genuine. The ones on TV shows are much more likely to be lip-synched. The Smothers Brothers appearance is one of the worst.

[@raymondpierotti8414]

For the record, this one is not lip synched.

[@gortbot7748]

I saw the Airplane live. Still peaking.

[@Rolfrad]

@@raymondpierotti8414 I really appears to be. EVERY lick on the video is identical to what was on the recording. Airplane didn't do that - every performance was unique. At 3:21 on the video Jorma is playing some rapid pull offs while the audio has him doing some slow bends.

[@raymondpierotti8414]

@@Rolfrad Very nice observation. I had not picked up on that.

[@marcmcfarland5113]

One of their most underrated, and best. All these years later, still sounds so f-r-e-s-h.

[@thebeatlesfan3865]

Yesssssss

[@petechau9616]

Yep there are few bands that were relevant throughout the 60,70s and 80s.

[@EvilSkeptic]

They were never underrated.

[@Tipi_Dan]

@@EvilSkeptic Yes and no. In their time, Jefferson Airplane received a lot of attention. They were recognized in certain circles as musical, but also cultural leaders. Look at the devotion of the counterculture rank and file, first issues of Rolling Stone, the reviews (and book) of jazz critic Ralph J. Gleason, and the attentions of late night television hosts. The band shattering in different directions, followed by lessening intensity, and a dialed-down Jefferson Starship just didn't really have the sound. The Airplane was like a reverse supergroup appearing from nowhere, leading with intensity, then dividing into spawn. That kind of intensity (just look them here, and listen to them) is difficult to sustain. Various cultural "projects" the Airplane supported (see the Dead's later Rex Foundation) came apart along with the band. The Airplane supported artists, one notable endeavor a very trippy old-time radio show. Most importantly, the break-up of JA fractured the core "sound". The Jefferson Airplane were generators of a "sound", of which the music generated in this video is a prime example. Like the Dead, the Airplane never played a song the same way twice. That this rendition is verbatim note-for-note the album version could be sussed out by one unfamiliar with the "sound" or source studio album--- by closely observing the subtle lack of synchrony between lips and lyrics. For one for whom each note is permanently seared into their cellular and molecular structure, that discovery is automatic.

[@williamkayaian7268]

Monster band

[@skaterdudeprodutions]

I would honestly pay sooooo much money for more videos and footage like this... HD footage of the airplane is like gold to me. Thanks for the upload. Would love to see more...

[@thebeatlesfan3865]

Right

[@pygmy358]

Great footage, but lip synced off of '68 crown of creation album

[@stacyblue1980]

Me too🥺

[@stacyblue1980]

@@pygmy358 Yes, but it doesn't matter. Its beautiful.

[@johnowen8266]

They are the best Case closed!!!!

[@susanbalin602]

The amazing Jefferson Airplane and my beloved. Keep the music alive......

[@eilishoshea3349]

Incredible band, and Marty was the heart & soul ❤️

[@davidowens5898]

Susan Balin? His Wife? Yes; his last marriage. Source: Wikipedia.

[@jameskennedy721]

OMG - this is the holy grail for Airplane fanatics . Historic . Legends of Psychedelia .

[@meterpik1]

I borrowed the album Crown Of Creation at our library at that time because it had a nice cover. I was thirteen years old and it changed my life completely. It is still my all time favorite album.

[@hughtierney9109]

I have pretty much the same story, though I may have been fourteen. That was in London.

[@onusgumboot5565]

One of the things I miss about vinyl is the covers. I found a lot of great music just because the cover looked so cool. Lookin' in by Savoy Brown is a great example. I never heard of them. I bought the album just for the cover. Then realized it was Foghat with a different lead guitar player, and better songs.

[@debbiesims138]

I've been on a Crown Of Creation kick this week. Been listening to it a lot.

[@gratefuldead3750]

14 in vienna

[@jeffclement2468]

Hahaha...a nice cover? The Atomic Bomb 😂

[@johnmitchelljr]

Many times they were the best band in the known and unknown universe. Thanks for sharing. Made my day. No, my year. Lucky to see them live.

[@alexspsychedelicchannel2521]

Rest In Peace Paul and NOW Marty. I feel so fortunate I’ve been able to see Jack and Jorma in Hot Tuna and actually shake their hands.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

And singe toly anderson, joey Covington

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Jorma has a show every friday night from his fur peace ranch on utube. Alot of good musicians. Check it out

[@lowtunesinc.2926]

and RIP Spencer @@lastnamefirst4035

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@lowtunesinc.2926 Always thought it interesting that Signe and Paul died the same day

[@roytsusui1761]

That's really cool, I saw them up in Pioneer Town in the desert near Joshua Tree! They love their fans and I got a picture with Jorma!! He took the time to sign an album cover for me too. 👍😁

[@kozmicjulio]

What a hit... So psychedelic 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@NicoParasite]

What a fucking amazing band, can't get enough of them.

[@michaeligoe3935]

Love Jack Casady's stage manner. The epitome of kooll !

[@raymondpierotti8414]

One time I tried to tease Jack and yelled that he should sing. He simply played a chord and mimicked singing. He still is cool.

[@billdomitilli8125]

Really need a sound system with some real bottom to appreciate Jack's sublime Bass. He was the reason I went to their shows back in the day. He carried it a lot of the time, IMHO.

[@CaptainWillard1979]

1:55 - 1:59 Beautiful manicure! Long Live Grace, Jorma, Jack. Rest in Peace Spencer, Paul, Marty.

[@thebeatlesfan3865]

Marty died but he is still remembered

[@CMissShelleyMichelle]

I wonder if those are Grace's actual nails or fake ones?

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Rip singe toly anderson. Died the same day ad kantner

[@francoisebeylie2923]

@@lastnamefirst4035 Signe (not Singe...)

[@rullmourn1142]

That bass line and the look of that bass guitar, though. All of them, the whole band, sounds great in this.

[@desert.mantis]

Great upload! The quality is delightful. And Jack's bass is killer.

[@edfoodie2364]

I’m pretty sure it’s the record dubbed over the performance . It does bring back memories for me. Seen them many times (including when we all got tear-gassed at the Akron (Ohio) Rubber Bowl

[@Ethericrose]

The coolness of the drummer playing is, well, cool. I wasnt born till 1969 yet love JA. Also the Doors, Tim Buckley, Janice Joplin. Mammas and Pappas. Such a fabulous time to be alive. I somehow feel incredibly connected to this era even though I was born at the near end of it.

[@davidowens5898]

My suspicion is one (or both) of yer parents had a lot to do with your superb musical taste! Good for you dawg! I exposed both of my kids to the music of my youth. They too, have EXCELLENT taste in music.

[@scottd5084]

One of their most underrated songs! To this day, I smile when I hear it.marty and grace were quite a team when they weren’t jealous of one another

[@davidowens5898]

Jealous? Where'd ya come up with that bizarre notion? They were huge FANS of each other. Best one-two vocal combination in R&R history. I've been following the Airplane for over 50 years and I've never heard that before. What's yer source?

[@FlightRiskWizard]

@@davidowens5898 in multiple documentaries, I suggest the one from ‘89, from the Behind The Music series, where they all were interviewed. Marty and Grace actually had a lot of bad blood between the two because Grace had often taken a lot of the credit from Marty. Of course, time sort of healed that :).

[@devildoll9929]

"Make love flyin'." That sums up the hippie ideal.

[@garybelenke4370]

May not be live but still fun to see them back then.

[@keithmcmanus918]

i wondered if someone would notice that this is clearly a lip sync. they weren't likely to produce a record perfectly live. not that kind of band

[@JWemm]

Well it's a good lip-sync!

[@byronfortier6555]

I was thinking this sounded just like the recorded version, and I see that others say it is. In that case, great synching of video and record. This band does not get the widespread adoration they deserve. Nobody else like the Airplane!

[@marknauman53]

What I wouldn't give to see them play live one more time in my life.

[@rubichatalian3418]

Great, great song. Balin was a tremendous singer.

[@buckyharris9465]

Well, the only survivors are Grace, Jack, and Jorma, so it's highly unlikely! I'm pretty sure Grace turned 83 on her last birthday and J&J are just a few years younger.

[@syater]

If only all Jefferson Airplane footage was of this quality, including getting right up close like this. Adds to the intensity of their music that was there all along.

[@charleshimes1634]

You are right - if only...

[@JWemm]

This is incredible, from '68. Really good quality of an excellent performance.

[@BeatlesGirlKaren]

I can't believe I'm just now seeing this?! Everyone looks & sounds SO Great!!

[@mng5757]

Im 26 and this is better than any music now. So that kinda sucks for us all I guess..

[@infinitycovuk699]

Grace was one beautiful specimen. God dayum. Her voice is even better.

[@raymondpierotti8414]

You want to see the real Grace, watch the Altamount Footage. For all he brashness she is terrified of the Hell's Angels, and the group not defending Marty who did try to act is probably why he was the first to leave, followed quickly by Spencer.

[@scottd5084]

Unbelievable quality

[@shorelineboy]

This was the year I saw them in the 🇬🇧 U.K. At Godshill at the first Isle of weight festival . Loved them 😎

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Jack Casady always dressed so hip, love his style 😎.

[@humzahj.]

Are there more videos from this performance? The quality is unreal

[@jackbailey5304]

I wouldn't believe so. I think this was just the one performance to promote the single.

[@kingpetra6886]

Chances are, it was filmed.

[@vancepomerening4794]

This is just the studio recording on Crown of Creation, not live.

[@Exiles800]

Hamburg Germany September 1968...

[@humzahj.]

@@Exiles800 Ah so it must have been that time they went to Europe with the Doors,

[@TheSecondNature]

Jorma with an SG? Such a rare sight! I need to see more of this!!

[@j0eX]

Maybe borrowed Robbie Krieger's?

[@TheSecondNature]

@@j0eX well now that would be incredible!!! Can you imagine?

[@scotthutchens1556]

j0eX You never know, they toured Europe with The Doors. I also thought it was strange, first time I’ve seen Jorma with an SG. I love SGs and prefer them for JA style music more than a LP when I don’t feel like and ES-335 that is. Haha.

[@lisica8458]

Jack + Spencer = Superb

[@carlossolano226]

Never seen this clip before that's awesome....The powerful Jefferson Airplane... !!!

[@MattmanLovesMusic]

Amazing! Pure joyous music!!

[@davidbradshaw659]

Not live here, exactly like the recording. Miming, playback. Very very cool all the same.

[@willili5775]

True

[@BklynBoy55]

My God!!!!!!!! Still so Amazing! The Airplane Were IT BABY!!!

[@azukarzuchastux8066]

. Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will work out his plans for my life-for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don’t abandon me-for you made me.”

[@spartacusmoment6352]

Outstanding. Yes. Anything more would be appreciated. Crown of Creation!

[@edwardglickman6426]

It is a great video of a great song!

[@xstensl8823]

lucky enough to have seen them back in the day

[@toddward11]

Beautiful! 🎶

[@oogieobanyon]

Not live recording of audio. This is the studio version.

[@orangeandblackattack]

This is flat out awesome!

[@shorelineboy]

Wow absolutely brilliant 😎

[@donaldgehre5964]

What a great step back in time! Great audio, video and the Airplane seemed to be enjoying the gig. Much gras!

[@TheJoshuamooney]

Too damn bad there’s not nearly enough quality live footage of the Airplane. This is truly great.

[@brianinnerbichler2248]

Absolutely amazing 😊

[@robertosilvestri743]

Love this song sooo much!

[@alibertylover]

Flashbacks for me & one of the greatest bands ever

[@scottross7455]

Love this one.

[@anthonymarando524]

I love them so much.

[@kayholmes7920]

Wonderful!

[@BklynBoy55]

My Goodness...I was going to comment again on something that I did 6 months ago. I am getting OLD! I LOVE this Frikkin" Band more than life itself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jimmcnerney9440]

Great guitar intro...just keeps building!

[@suta007]

Great band

[@feugwtwra]

Obviously they put the original song at the video. :( Wish I could hear the live version as they played it there!

[@silverchessdragon]

Totally agree. Still, the video is a treat. We can all be back there, young as them ...

[@packhorsetriumph5319]

There is a live version of if you feel live from the europe tour somewhere on youtube. Audio only though

[@packhorsetriumph5319]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZXEe4yAo61gd6M

[@jamesobrien3450]

Marty Balin is amazing here.

[@fusion2000]

there's just so much good music here......

[@scottd5084]

The apex of the airplane and its fantastic sound.

[@christianlacheze3323]

More please!!!

[@sergiocahuana3753]

Que joya de video!!!!

[@zaq55]

Wow! 54 years ago. Far out!

[@haintedhouse2990]

Airplane was the most unique Ameican rock band - two lead singers, the best bass player ever and leaders of the underground counter-culture while still pulling in big crowds.

[@raymondpierotti8414]

There were three lead singers (don't leave out Kantner). The Airplane were really two groups in one. A tight musical core of Kaukonen, Casady and Dryden, and the three singers. When they worked together they were magic, when they turned on each other they fell apart. Theworst thing Casady and Kaukonen did was not bring Spenser into Hot Tuna. They were trying to become a jam band, and he was too subtle, so they brought in Joey, who ruined everything he touched.

[@haintedhouse2990]

@@raymondpierotti8414 it's always baffled me how a band as good as Airplane hired one of the worst drummers ever.

[@davidowens5898]

@@raymondpierotti8414 Joey never impressed me. Spencer started as a jazz drummer. Subtler, more nuanced, and talented.

[@alainpaum]

They blend together so we'll ! They are so dam good !

[@pauk.6189]

PLEASE UPLOAD MORE LIVE PERFORMANCESSSSSS

[@mariocaffari5015]

A < KILLER > Video combined over 50 Years later, very well done, a great gift to all the real Fans of this great Group witch also was a REVOLUTION in Sight and Seen........E-N-J-O-Y ! Greetings from Switzerland

[@garnetnewton-wade4091]

One of the fist albums I bought was "After Bathing.." in 1969, I was 14 at the time. Was the first in my group of friends to discover the airplane.

[@rullmourn1142]

Jack Casady is playing a Guild Starfire, bass guitar.

[@randyrick8019]

For some reason I incorrectly remembered the chorus as 'great China laughing' instead of break china laughing. Probably a couple of them had too much acid and gleefully broke all the dinnerware in a food fight; leading to a Marty Balin song the next morning after the party was over. Crown of Creation is one of my favorite albums. I never heard the original JA live but I covered several of their songs on acoustic guitar at open mics. Saw a version of Jefferson Starship in about 1975-76 at University of MIssouri while they were touring. And of course have seen Hot Tuna a couple of times.

[@carolynnangle4492]

More!!!!

[@gerryradford4812]

Just awesome band that still sounds amazing today !!!!!! Gx

[@johnspence919]

So lucky to have heard this then. Music today so different. Had a real power then. If you saw them you know what I mean.

[@paolorugarli2168]

Fantastica! Stellare! Meravigliosa!

[@jrak]

love it

[@Rostodon]

Agreed brilliant quality - mind looks like a promo video?

[@fletcherscarborough5898]

@ this very point in time you can tell how much fun Grace is having as she had moved up to a professional group from the group she was headlining prior to the Airplane, The Great Society.

[@oklahomasupercell]

I question if this audio is live with this song. The performance is live of course but the audio is the studio sadly. JA rarely played a track identical to the studio version. Somebody to Love was very close to the studio version in early live shows then altered. White Rabbit remains kinda the same until JS did it in the 70s totally different in the intro but the core stayed the same. Not much you can change with that due to the Bolero theme.

[@scotthutchens1556]

I don’t think this was live, just synced with the same song played live.

[@kayholmes7920]

@@scotthutchens1556 Have to agree, but still great!

[@sawyercraig41]

It's the studio track verbatim. Yes, it's a 'live' performance on a stage, but not to a 'live' audience. Grace and Jack both pull little stunts that let the cat out of the bag.

[@francodaros]

plyback, so evident in several moments. They wasn't so professional as actual musicians, that are able to play perfectly in playback :-)...better than live, sometimes....

[@Slickdick99]

@@francodaros They were definitely professional musicians

[@NNNNNNNNMMMMMMMM]

everyone puts in their two cents - even up to the 90s artists had to lipsync on tv, they weren't allowed to do true live. also weird comments are open, most other official channel comments are closed. cheers guys, awesome music

[@buckyharris9465]

Not true -- there are live versions of Crown of Creation from the Smothers Brothers Show & the Ed Sullivan Show. Also from the Smothers Brothers is a video of Grace singing live vocals to the album recording of the instrumental, while everyone else in the band does comical air guitar. Unfortunately, the video of Lather from the SB is completely lip-synched -- not sure why they did that . . . .

[@bwanna23]

When I was confined to the Nut House, I used to sing this to my roommate and he just laughed and laughed and laughed!

[@360twelve]

Jorma's SG says "Scarlet Panther" on it!

[@argonpremin3888]

This bass riff...

[@markvonwisco7369]

Spencer Dryden was one hell of a drummer!

[@kd_gray]

Got chills when she looked at that camera

[@xxrandmlinksxxbruh2419]

Why?

[@kd_gray]

@@xxrandmlinksxxbruh2419 because that's what I get sometimes when I listen to music. The shot from the cameraman and her look and timing was perfect

[@xxrandmlinksxxbruh2419]

@@kd_gray oh

[@JWemm]

I loved her look and smile when she looked in the camera.

[@edwardglickman6426]

I never got to see this live. Played the album to it wore out.

[@massimopaganin3280]

Uno dei brani migliori dei JA ...

[@eric-way3191]

2023 y los escucho todos los días la mejor banda ✌️

[@katarinask139]

His voice so amazing😍

[@johnallenismynameandmusici2796]

Yeah, the words to this are just so searing. It's hot. I remember when we were teenagers and we heard this song. We got really high and went to somebody's house, don't know whose, and smashed every glass and plate we could find. It was weirdly exhilarating.

[@donaldgehre5964]

One month before RFK was shot. The world was due to change but the Airplane was incendiary and Grace was ravishing. The best and the worst. Living taoism.

[@manowardefender4042]

Радость улыбок всем

[@franzllattner]

Great footage, but of course it is not live. It is the studio version of this song. Again great footage.

[@lewistasso8866]

"Right on! Right on!"

[@irishsetterarchie]

Weird but you have to love them!! Grace was such a fox!

[@clearview4076]

Wow!

[@WILKSVILLE]

GRACE !!!!!

[@wayneburnham6033]

Are there any more videos from this show? The sound and camera work are superb. There just isn't very many videos from that era that are this good!

[@buckyharris9465]

This is lip-synch to the album track.

[@randallhoole4208]

Grace is almost "laughing", and boy does Jorma love his WAH-WAH ahahaha great edits of the whole band, though a bit shy on Paul. (shrug)

[@jessiepinkman9902]

С конца 60х обожаю эту группу❤❤❤❤❤