History of JEFFERSON AIRPLANE part one |

[@shyman99]

I commend you for being able to successfully complete a very interesting Part 1 without even covering "Surrealistic Pillow" yet. An album many people believe was the band's first.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, shyman! That intro period did take some time to develop and the addition of Grace seemed to be a good breaking point. I'll be busy on part 2 over the weekend!

[@tim13354]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Do you, by any chance have any contact with Grace Slick? I'd like to ask her a question; if necessary through you.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@tim13354 I haven't though I have thought about trying to contact her in the past. I know she keeps a pretty low profile but it couldn't hurt to try! Thank you, Tim.

[@tim13354]

@@popgoesthe60s52 I hope that means you're going to try?....I haven't had any success, but then I don't really know how to go about it!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@tim13354 I just assumed she is quite serious about being retired, but you don't know unless you try. I will try making contact.

[@wyliesmith4244]

Matt, 456 comments as I write this, so I ma not the only who loved the Airplane. I'd say that this is the best video that you have done, but I will keep it subjective and say that is MY favorite one. Once again, you have posted a lot of photos that I have never seen before and it made want hook up with Peabody (and his pet boy Sherman) and get on the way back machine. Not only were the photos superb, but your comments were spot on. Jack Casady's bass playing was a marvel to me as no one's playing, well maybe John Entwistle, was so dominant on an LP. This was one of the first albums that I bought in the fall of '66, my freshman year, and already RCA had purged the record of sex and drugs. My roommate to be was from California and was the other record hound that I knew. He had the 45 of 'Runnin' Round This World' which prompted my purchase of the album. I have the Collectors Choice CDs of 10/15/66 (Signe's farewell) and 10/16/66 (Grace's first show) and I rate the Signe show much better. But, to be, Grace's show with JA on 11/25/66 is/was a great show. "Takes Off" is still my favorite Airplane album as I found that Spence's drumming gave Casady room to step forward. 1966 was a great year for albums and "Takes Off" may be my favorite, although "Revolver," East - West," and "Sunshine Superman" also are depending on my mood. Big thanks! This is as good as it gets for me. And turn on your lava lamp! And I am still interested to know what albums you have on display. Looks like "Mellow Yellow" is one while I loved seeing "Takes Off" on the preceding set of episodes. May I ask that you post a list in your notes? And those photos. Wow!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Wylie! Those albums off to the side are indeed Mellow Yellow, Carnival of Sound by Jan & Dean and Magic Garden by the Fifth Dimension. I'm glad you liked the photos as I always try to mine as many relevant-unseen photos as I can for these videos - especially the Beatles. Thank you for the kind words re: this video. I always enjoy the editing process because it hides a wealth of errors! I'm finally finishing my Beach Boys vol 4 (Smile) tonight, so that will be good to get behind me. A tough story to tell succinctly.

[@wyliesmith4244]

Matt, making these videos may be a labor of love, but I still marvel at the work, the quality work, that you do.And the photo for part one is also the cover for the Collectors Choice CD od Signe's farewell.@@popgoesthe60s52

[@Mtnfarmer55]

Yes indeed. While I enjoyed the early Airplane, Baxters changed my life and they became my favorite band, from then on. Including the first Starship album, but only that one.

[@Krakkokayne]

Spare Chaynge was one of my favorites

[@jeffk8247]

You must have had a boring life if a band changed your life

[@murch13]

Man, you have a way of doing these mini docs that really gets just in depth enough without being overlong. Keep up the great work

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, murch. The story really picks up as we get into 1967 and Surrealistic Pillow. Stay tuned!

[@willharris3798]

You beat me to it. lol

[@xfire301]

Great to see Takes Off get its share of credit.

[@simplechronology2605]

Bravo! I've been waiting for you to get to Jefferson Airplane. For my money, they absolutely had it all. Their music could be rousing, scary, beautiful, aggressive. Their lyrics were literate and provocative. The vocal blend was unlike any other. For those who missed the 1960s, Jefferson Airplane's history is about as good a primer on the era as one could hope for. There never has been a really good documentary on this band, and it is a hole that needs to be filled. Now we have the first part of one...

[@docsavage8640]

If you mean the late '60s and the San Francisco aesthetic, yes; but not so much for the early to mid-'60s and the beat groups.

[@simplechronology2605]

@@docsavage8640 I meant of the era and place in which they existed.

[@markhunter8554]

@@docsavage8640 True. But let's face it: culturally speaking, the 60s really didn't begin until 1964 with the Beatles' first appearance on the Ed Sullivan.

[@1blastman]

@@markhunter8554 Were you there? I remember the Beach Boys in the early 60's, and the folk\blues emergence in the early 60's. I had Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Leadbelly, Bukka White and Electra folk albums years before the Beatles came to America. It was an amazing time to grow up. [Not that I did, "I've grown older, but not up."]

[@GStraitKISS1]

Best 60's channel on the internet! Thanks Matt!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, sir!

[@johnhawks5035]

Born (1950) and raised in The East Bay during the rise of the greatest upheaval of musical advancement in the 20th Century, this music was my entire life. No regrets.

[@lisica8458]

There would be no Jefferson Airplane sound without Jack Casady's bass.

[@John_Fugazzi]

This is a series I'm looking forward to, especially the next installment, which will cover one of the truly greatest albums of the 60s. I always wondered how they ended up on RCA, a label noted for Elvis and Nashville - thanks for filling that in.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

The Airplane was RCA's first rock band, which surprised me.

[@docsavage8640]

If you're gonna swim into rock, why dip a toe when you can dive into the deep end 😆

[@kcjc]

I never realized how familiar and how much I actually liked early Jefferson Airplane until hearing the samples you used in this. I’ve always loved Grace’s vocals and seemed like a really cool person. They’re a band I’ve always liked but very passingly, so I definitely looking forward to hear more about them.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I think their first album is my favorite of theirs.

[@E.C.2]

Didn't know powdered LSD existed until reading a book about Jefferson Airplane circa late 90's.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Signe was in the group before Grace Slick , correct?

[@docsavage8640]

Yeah, she was on the Takes Off LP. I prefer Surrealistic Pillow through Volunteers.

[@tiptopdadddy]

Matt, the story I heard was that Grace wasn’t the first choice to replace Signe. At the time Sherry Snow (of Blackburn & Snow) was living in the same apartment as Paul Kantner. However, ultimately she decided to stay with her boyfriend/musical Jeff Blackburn. They went on to record a vocal version David Crosby’s Stranger In A Strange Land and signed with Trident Records. The label had lots of problems, but an incredible roster including the aforementioned We Five, sitting on recordings for over a year and many never saw the light of day. In fact, I think you were the one who tipped me off about B&S which sent me down a rabbit hole of mid 60s SF folk rock! Anyhow, the Trident comp Sing Me A Rainbow is pretty fantastic and gave me a more broad appreciation for the SF scene in the mid 60s. Great stuff as always, can’t wait for Pt 2.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, I had heard that about Sherry Snow as well. I forgot to mention it, having been too preoccupied with Balin's mention of Doda!

[@A.L.L72]

Awesome job dude...!!!! you breathe love, passion, knowledge and respect towards one of the best Rock bands in history...! 🔥🎙🔥

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I appreciate that! Thank you.

[@A.L.L72]

@@popgoesthe60s52 u Welcome...!

[@deirdre108]

Interestingly enough, the former pizza place that was turned into a performing venue, "The Matrix" by Marty Balin is currently the "White Rabbit Bar" . Thanks Matt, JA was one of my top 5 bands at this time especially because of Grace. Looking forward to Part 2!

[@ClandestineRecords]

One of my favorite U.S. bands from the 60's! Thank you for another remarkable insight.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

A very interesting history of the early band. The video ended, and now I can't wait for Part 2.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I'll be working on part 2 over the weekend so stay tuned!

[@baronsaturday951]

After the great story of the Charlatans, Jefferson Airplane ! Fantastic ! Great Work again ! Thanks Matt ! I hope "Country Joe & The Fish" in the future !

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, I am a fan of Country Joe and the Fish - their last couple albums are very overlooked.

[@Gardosunron]

Fascinating presentation Matt. Now I want to hear that first album. That said the addition of Grace Slick is what really sent the band to the upper elechons of 60s artists. Her voice, her looks, her style, and she had attitude. And brought with her their two best known songs.

[@E.C.2]

Many of the West Coast psychedelic bands were related to elite military and/or East Coast Blue Bloods.

[@SickAgain4293]

Wow insane how long ago this all was! I am just blown away listening to it all!

[@NoviJimB]

Great job. The only disappointing thing is that I can't view part 2 yet. :) I usually come across these when they've already been out here for a while, didn't realize this was 'new'. I love hearing about how bands got started, hearing their really early stuff, and of course seeing great pics. For me 1964 through the 60's and into the 70's was just such an amazing time for music. Even as early as 62 there were some interesting new artists cming out, but it all took off with The Beatles, the 'invasion', Motown and the folk rock movement. We'll never see anything like it again.

[@vortexpilot5096]

Oh wow, just found your channel. And heck yeah, about time Jefferson Airplane got some love.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Welcome! Thanks for the comment!

[@relaxinmaxin7246]

Marty Balin had such a great voice.

[@lisica8458]

I've always thought that Marty was very underrated as a rock singer; he had charisma in addition to his great delivery. Examples: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHq9fpeXo6iNqq8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXioZ4yNi8aiZrs

[@busterbiloxi3833]

He wouldn’t make it on Broadway.

[@DocDoccus]

The way you describe the history of bands that we sort of take for granted is just faskinating.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you Doc. I’m my opinion this is the best US 60s band after the Byrds. Third place is a free for all.

[@franshinlopen2166]

Most interesting. A lot of stuff I didn't know, despite being a great fan since 1967.

[@Roadkingboogie]

Thank you John Chipolina Is one of my favorite guitarists as well as Gary Duncan (Grubb). Their rendition of Diddly's who do you love was ground breaking in its day.

[@vayabroder729]

Love Grace Slick’s voice and she was very easy to look at. Good music. They were all folkies turned rockers; a fairly common move at that time for quite a few groups. Great video; thank you sir!!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure... part two is in the works!

[@DSH1LL]

Cool. Nice blend of visuals, audio and narrative. I'm glad KZbin suggested your video and I'll be back for more.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

That is good to hear the algorithm working FOR me! Welcome DSH1LL.

[@TyroneEpps]

This is classic😊

[@jblassio]

Love to see that your back to some 60s rock! Jefferson Airplane, a fascinating band.

[@hydrogenroar]

My all time favorite rock group. Thanks for the series on them.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

You are welcome, Roger. Part 3 will be out in a few days.

[@michaelrochester48]

Hey did you know that Spencer Dryden was the nephew of the famous silent screen comedian Charlie Chaplin? It is said that he carefully concealed his relationship to Chaplin because he wanted to be known for himself and his music and not who he was related to

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I did know that. Lot's of 60s musicians have connections to old Hollywood. I plan a video on that topic in fact.

[@michaelrochester48]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Yes the aforementioned Moby Grape had a guy named Peter Lewis who was the daughter of famous screen legend Loretta Young!

[@Gardosunron]

@@michaelrochester48 and then there's Producer Terry Melcher who was Doris Day's son.

[@edzmuda6870]

Oh…. THAT Charlie Chaplin - the silent screen actor.

[@RockandRollWoman]

Great stuff. I can never get enough of Grace Slick. I've seen Jorma live recently, and he's still got it!

[@ЕвгенийГорелов-п5й]

Очень интересное видео. Спасибо.👍👍👍

[@popgoesthe60s52]

С удовольствием.

[@timmotel5804]

Wonderful. I grew up in Arlington VA so I was "East Coast" and either was late learning about some of the West Coast Bands or missed them completely. "Surrealistic Pillow" was my first "experience" with Airplane, and I Loved It! I've been a drummer since 1964. This part one is so well presented. Part Two Next! Thank You.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Tim! Thanks for stopping by.

[@docsavage8640]

They had music on the East Coast in the '60s? Could've fooled me. 😆

[@timmotel5804]

@@docsavage8640 They called it "FM Radio" 😵‍💫🙃 🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@TheScreamingObvious]

Thank you Matt for getting around to my favorite band. You are always so thorough.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure. I'll be working hard over the weekend to get the next parts out!

[@ConglomerationCat]

Wonderful episode and we're just scraping the surface. Always a joy to watch these Matt. Awesome job.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

The plot certainly thickens! I'll be working on part 2 over the weekend.

[@ConglomerationCat]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Yes it does! I had the pleasure of meeting Grace in Concord, CA at an art gallery along with Bill Graham shortly before we lost him. Unforgettable evening with lots of stories to pass around.

[@SH-ud8wd]

The Great Society version of Somebody To Love is outstanding.

[@soaruk3697]

Much better than JA's despite its 'technical imperfections' - TGS's White Rabbit is also better...... TGS is a very much underrated band, although not as technically proficient as JA. As someone once said listening to JA made you want to drop acid, TGS as though you'd already dropped it........

[@michaeldy3157]

Their first two cds are incredible . Get them. The rest are good.

[@docsavage8640]

Nah, the Airplane version kills it

[@coffeegirl6854]

I love them both for different reasons.t​@@docsavage8640

[@babylonian.captivity]

One of my favorite bands growing up. I got them from my dad. He used to see them at the Fillmore East, saw them at Woodstock, etc. So I grew up listening to his old vinyl and the Airplane was really special to me. Especially "Baxter's." God, what a record that was. I actually saw them myself at Radio City when they did a reunion in like '89. They were great.

[@robmillisTW2]

24 minutes and we haven't even got into 1967 yet! This is going to be great; well done!

[@leperelamisere1368]

As a long time Airplane fan, I've read Jeff Tamarkin's book (Got a Revolution), which is a Bible for Airplane/Starship/Tuna fans. And I'm amazed at how Matt managed to sum up, in such a short time, the first years of the Airplane. Amongst all the facts and details, he chose the ones that, to me, are the most relevant to make people understand what the band went through to reach the threshold of success. It's professional quality of work, simply, and I humbly bow down. Hats off, Matt 👑

[@popgoesthe60s52]

That is very high praise Le père La misère, thank you. I love Tamarkin's book and will certainly mention it in the close of my part three. I did omit some trivial bits of information on the band that hinders the flow of the narrative. I try very hard not to get caught in the weeds so it appeals to a wider fanbase. I'm flattered you noticed! Part three will be out early next week.

[@docsavage8640]

Great book. Learned a lot about the band and its history even up through Jefferson Starship. Always love when peace & love hippies pull guns on their fellow junkies.

[@mattgould8592]

Great late night listening, thanks Matt for the intriguing in-depth stories, have fun making part two, can’t wait to see it!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Working on it now!

[@RobertVeasquez]

A grat band, both lineup, and in my opinion, still underrated!

[@ricjan58]

Hat's off to you, Matt. Bringing to light America's true answer to the British Invasion with possibly the best and certainly the most talented of the Bay area groups. Many thanks for a task well done and looking forward to the following segments on the history of this great band.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure, ricjan!

[@sldulin]

I always thought Darby Slick didn't get the recognition he deserved as one of the authors of that characteristic San Francisco sound. He had that background in Indian music and those jams on Conspicuous... still sound fresh and exciting in how they build in intensity, allow for some great improv and then return to the motif. Interesting, humble guy too.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Having gone to India in 1967 didn't help his profile. I don't know how long he was there. A year maybe.

[@Thom726]

JA was never one of my favorite bands but their history was fascinating, and Grace Slick was beautiful; weird… but beautiful. Thank you for a great presentation!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Tom. I'll be working on part 2 over the weekend.

[@MichaelTobin-m1d]

My All Time Favorite, So I read Jorma's book and He grew Up In Ellington,CT. & blew my mind as Does Their Music, Jorma on Good Shepherd is Spine Chilling...The Rest Speaks For Itself....All Aboard The Bus...Your either ON or Check my Oil

[@Steve68858]

Fantastic Matt. Love the Airplane

[@johnny97246]

Excellent! Thank You for doing this! The Airplane were a great Band and you are so detailed in their history! I feel like the Airplane are still here today with us!

[@scottiwen4745]

Congrats on a great volume 1! Even though I thought I knew a great deal about JA (read some books, watched some videos, have most of the albums) you still managed to unearth many details that were new to me. Glad you (already) mentioned Casady's great bass playing - he's the best instrumentalist in the band - don't think he has ever received the recognition he deserves (Rolling Stone did not bother to include him in their list of the top 50 bassists of all time). Thought I read that one of the main reasons Grace Slick joined Jefferson Airplane was because of Jack Casady's playing.

[@markhunter8554]

Casady is one of my main influences as a bassist.

[@MellissaBoomeroftheNight]

I was in one of Jorma's live streams here on YT when they were unknown and intimate. It was great. They did Q&A's for fans.

[@coffeegirl6854]

Those Quarantine Concerts were a special gift indeed. For everyone. I miss them so much. ❤

[@jammininthepast]

Very good insight. Surrealistic Pillow, turned onto me by my older brother, was a game changer. Great stuff Matt, you are appreciated.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Brad!

[@ampzilladn7387]

Grace Slick is one of the most talented and beautiful woman in the universe

[@BrixtonTone]

Superb as always Matt. Thought I knew the Airplane but you've provided so much I was unaware of. Looking forward to part 2

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, yes the next two part will really delve into the music.

[@briangarrett6510]

Excellent work, Matthew. These are so well done. Probably more work than we realize. I was waiting for a few weeks to be in the right mood to watch it. I was born in 1967, the SF music scene and Summer of love always intrigued me. Love Marty Balin and Grace vocals.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Brian. Yes, these do take a lot to put together but I find it gratifying each time I do it!

[@dadaveda]

Very comprehensive, I enjoyed it.

[@frugalseverin2282]

This has long been one of my favorite bands (as you can tell by my avatar of Paul Kantner), just love their songs, sound and attitude. It's amazing that such disparate strong personalities managed to hang together for as long as they did. They covered a lot of genres too: folk, rock, blues, psychedelic, pop and even a bit of country. I read Grace's book and "Got a Revolution!" by Jeff Tamarkin, also Bill Graham's book and "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test". Fascinating period.

[@geneobrien8907]

Tom Wolfe wrote The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, not Ken Kesey.

[@frugalseverin2282]

@@geneobrien8907 Thanks for the correction.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, the personalities were very strong and somehow they managed to persevere.

[@realdinho]

Love the Airplane, that first album is so overlooked! Also the Great Society... As others said, it's like if everything started with Surrealistic Pillow, which is fantastic but I always enjoyed those early recordings and explorations. I'm actually in the middle of reading again Grace Slick's autobiography that I first bought around 25 years ago, so this was perfect 😊

[@MJEdit1]

Very informative piece on the premiere band of San Francisco's psychedelic explosion of the 1960's. The next best thing to stepping into a wayback time machine.

[@billleary5779]

Terrific overview of the early Jefferson Airplane! Thanks Matt

[@joebikeguy6669]

Another old fart here! I saw JA in the late 60s or early 70s. They were on a bill with The Who and B.B. King. The Airplane and the Who were great . . . however, B. B., who was the opening performer, ripped the frickin' house down! Nicely done per usual Matt.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Joe!

[@bobburroughs6241]

Great stuff Matt - comes to life for many of us with Grace.

[@TheMrfilmmaker]

Outstanding! Thank you so much for keeping this alive. Can't wait for part two.

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Concise..just the facts ma'am. Excellent work.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, parts 2 & 3 are in the works!

[@lemonhead162]

I freakin LOVE Jefferson Airplane music!!!

[@jonmckinney4809]

Great documentary! Nice attention to interesting details. Really appreciate your in-depth research. I learned a lot that I didn't know. That my friend is a real gift when you love ❤ the topic!!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Jon! Much appreciated.

[@MarkK-hs1xc]

Surrealistic Pillow is one of my all-time favorite LPs and this from a Beatle fan. It's often too overlooked. I noticed you had a flyer with Quicksilver Messenger Service playing with Airplane. I think there was a lot of crossover in personnel between the bands in the early and later incarnations: David Frieberg, Kantner, Spence (at one time early in QMS) and others. They were pretty influential in the SF scene too and had a great sound of their own.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I love that album too. One of my very early purchases as a teen and I wasn't disappointed!

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

Yeah, Quicksilver is awesome… Sometimes I like to put on “happy trails” and crank it up!

[@clevebaker8399]

Howdy Matt!! Looks like you kicked ass again!! Phenomenal job!! I grew up with the plane have read everything imaginable through the years and still you have great analysis and knowledge!! Thank you 😊

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Cleve, I appreciate the kind words.

[@sogdal1]

The research you do makes these videos so interesting, thanks.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, D.G!

[@bradfordrossi7539]

EXCELLENT ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The only correction I would make was the it was Bill Graham who took over when the band wisely stepped away from the poisonous Matthew Katz. He in turn was fired after Grace , w/ her bf Spencer Dryden said they would leave unless Graham was fired. In a great interview that was part of the VH-1 series, Behind The Music, Bill Thompson was sent to fire Graham, who he recalls was like firing ‘King Kong’! He became the band’s manager and wa w/ them and individually for decades.

[@williambill5172]

As an oldster, when I first heard what Nirvana was doing in the 90s to evolve rock, I thought of what the Airplane had done 30 years earlier...thanks, Matt!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Good comparison, Bill!

[@michaeldy3157]

Nirvana evolved nothing. It was a metal band. That had less musicianship than many 80s bands. Plus its grunge scene was so bad it lasted three years. I work in schools , .bands like ac dc ,ozzy , kiss , zeppelin ,. Poison even appeal are known by them. Few like suicide music ..😮

[@willharris3798]

Love it! You do this sort of thing so well, Matt.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Will! Working on part two now....

[@christopher9152]

Great job, Matt! Watching this made me think of another California band that I don't think you have covered yet: Canned Heat. I always thought they were the best of the white American blues-based bands that flourished in the late sixties.

[@argusfleibeit1165]

Too bad their biggest hit, "Going Up the Country" was a total rip-off of the song by Henry Thomas, recorded in 1928. Thomas sang, played guitar, and a set of pan-pipes in a holder around his neck. No overdubbing or multi-tracking. Just one unknown blues guy. Canned Heat never attributed it to him or his family, or paid them any royalties. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGmxe2CDfst5fqs

[@ktomas12]

An illuminating first part highlighting one of my favorite rock bands of all time...I actually learned a few things from this history lesson! Bravo; looking forward to the next chapters reviewing this ground-breaking ensemble's musical accomplishments.

[@joerosenfield4]

Great job digging into some pretty obscure historical details. I'm impressed, And I'm reminded why I loved this band so much in high school. I named them #2 in my pantheon in 1967 (The Beatles were #1).

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

Same here! The Beatles are number one, Jefferson Airplane number two for me as well

[@markhunter8554]

Actually, Jack did play (and taught) bass before joining the Airplane. But he did start out playing guitar (and played lead guitar in a band with Jorma called the Triumphs).

[@smaze1782]

This was such a great watch. Thank you so much for putting this together. I was born in 1968 so this is awesome.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thankyou, I hope you enjoy parts 2 & 3!

[@1rwjwith]

This is just a superb first episode! Fantastic job. While I did know about Signe Anderson as the original female in Jefferson Airplane but I did not know all these details and likewise the other details of how KANTNER and BALIN Started the whole thing. Great I will be watching the rest on this band which was one of my favorite American bands from 1967 to 1971. I kind of followed JORMA and JACK when they left for Hot Tuna .

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Thank you for this, one of my top bands of all time, favorite songs are Comin’ Back to Me~Greasy Heart~Today. Their Volunteers song performance at Woodstock is phenomenal. Favorite member hands down is Jorma Kaukonen. Groovy ❤

[@canadianstudmuffin]

Excellent! Volunteers is one of my all time favorite 60's albums. Looking forward to Part 2!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Larry! Part 2 should be out in a day or so. Volunteers will certainly be featured!

[@kilgoringtroutless6295]

Thanks Matt, this is a good one. I have been rediscovering Jefferson Airplane (not Starship) myself recently. They really had a great musical style all their own with their folk, jazz, rock and blues influences in the early years. The fact that Grace's then husband Jerry Slick was one of the band members of "The Great Society" makes her leaving for the Airplane all the more interesting. Looking forward to part two.

[@markukeley2924]

Terrific job, Matt! Thanks much!

[@ericiverson3441]

Brings back my teenage memories.

[@pmoews]

Awesome Part 1 my friend!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Maze-man! I just shot part 2 today... I'll work on it over the weekend.

[@KneeAches]

Excellent! Others have said it….great job Mark. I still remember a buddy playing Surrealistic Pillow for me and not getting it at age 15. But became a fan soon after. Look forward to this that hopefully will end before Starship.

[@ChromeDestiny]

Thanks for this! Some of the info and photos were new to me. I really like And I Like It from Jefferson Airplane Takes Off. The early 2000's CD reissue has an alternate longer take of And I Like It along with reinstating the material removed and censored from some vinyl pressings.

[@tomripsin730]

7:38 I wonder if Steve Ditko ever heard about that, and what he would've thought of it.

[@michaeldunne338]

Really nice, informative piece on a favorite band. Great to hear about their early days.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks, Michael - stay tuned for parts 2 & 3!

[@michaeldunne338]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Three parts! That sounds great. Looking forward to seeing the whole series. Thank you.

[@ice9snowflake187]

I've read Jeff Tamarkin's book about the Airplane ("Got A Revolution"), and I was a teenage fan of the band When I lived and attended high school in the Bay area. It seems that this history lines up with all I've read and heard about the band, and It adds some interesting details I was un aware of, too. It's notable that The Drinking Gourd folk club was mentioned as the place where Marty Balin met Paul Kantner, Signe Anderson, and even Skip Spence. The Drinking Gourd was a long-time folk club in San Francisco, lasting well past the '60's, and they usually had a regular "open Mic" night, where it's likely that Marty met people. It was only 2-3 blocks from where the Matrix was. I've always assumed that it was where it happened, but this is probably the first time I've heard it mentioned by name in a history of the band.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I didn't know the Drinking Gourd was so close to the Matrix. I was in SF two years ago and visited the old Matrix (Now called White Rabbit) and some of the other Jefferson Airplane landmarks.

[@ice9snowflake187]

@@popgoesthe60s52 I've seen the old Matrix go through a few incarnations. So it's "The White Rabbit" now. The Drinking Gourd was on Union Street, I recall, just a coupe blocks up and around the corner. There was also Marina Music next door, where you got instruments, strings, etc.

[@markhunter8554]

I've owned two copies of the book. Read it several times. I literally waited decades for a bio on the Airplane.

[@oldermusiclover]

their lead guitarist still has one of my fav sounding guitars

[@coffeegirl6854]

Captain Oh Captain. 😊

[@rogbrown1965]

Thanks Matt. You filled in some gaps with regard to the early line ups that I wasn't sure about.Cheers. Rog. Pacific Sunset Records.

[@markhunter8554]

I agree with your assessment of the importance of the Airplane. Sadly, they are usually only remembered as a two-hit wonder.

[@MichaelTobin-m1d]

You are SADLY MISTAKEN

[@michaelmccollister7482]

Awesome! Can't wait for part 2. Love your other stuff as well.

[@shaynebarr3971]

I've been waiting in anticipation for this one Matt, nice job too. Have always had a thing for that first album with Signe, obviously Grace's inclusion in the band took things to another level of intensity, confrontation and maturing musicianship within the group, but it was nice to get an in depth look at 'Takes Off'.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, I listen to the first album more than any of their other albums. I'll be working on part 2 over the weekend so stay tuned!

[@straycatttt2766]

@@popgoesthe60s52 , thanks for the video. Wish you would have included a snippet from the lead vocal of Signe on “Chauffeur Blues” but you probably have editing needs.

[@lamujerestrellita4467]

Just the kind of information i wanted when i started looking for the bands history, amazing, thank you so much. Greetings from Argentina.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Welcome, Argentina! Thank you for commenting.

[@strose2002]

Never got into their music, but your video has started peaking my interest as usual. I'm already looking into buying a few of their cd's. Thanks for a great part one Matt!

[@robinstevenson6690]

So glad to see you making this kind of video (focusing on specific bands) again! There are scores - if not hundreds - of bands and singer-songwriters that you haven't gotten to yet.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, my list if very long!

[@kc0lif]

one of my favourite bands.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

When I was a poor kid bumming for tickets outside the Fillmore East. Jack twice took me in with him. A righteous dude. The Dead and Bobby did the same thing three times.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Very cool!

[@reneaceves8820]

I love Takes Off, notably Chauffeur Blues, Blues from an Airplane, and Let Me In.

[@brutallyremastered4255]

"Somewhat kept Matthew Katz at bay.." That is loaded! Enjoying this a good deal.