Jefferson Airplane
Biography
Biography
One of the most iconic bands of the 1960s counterculture, Jefferson Airplane first came together in 1965, when San Francisco musicians Marty Balin and Paul Kantner began playing with vocalist Signe Toly Anderson. The band were soon signed to RCA Victor, and released their debut album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, the following year. Anderson would leave the group not long afterwards in order to care for her newborn son, and she was quickly replaced by the vivacious singer and former model Grace Slick, who had been singing with another Bay area band called the Great Society. With Slick's powerful contralto and an increasingly psychedelic mood permeating their sound, the group released their second album, Surrealistic Pillow, in 1967 to rave reviews. The record featured now famous songs like "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love," skyrocketing the group to major fame. Later that same year, the group released their third album, After Bathing at Baxter's, exploring a more experimental and heavier rock sound. They embarked on their first tour of Europe, playing alongside the Doors, and eventually played at the famous Woodstock music festival in 1969. Their next album, Volunteers, would come later that year, shortly before drummer Skip Spence was dismissed from the band, replaced by Joey Covington, who joined around the same time as violinist Papa John Creach. They released the compilation The Worst of Jefferson Airplane in 1970 shortly before Marty Balin left the group, having given up drugs and alcohol. They released the album Bark in 1971, after Slick survived a near fatal car crash while drag racing with Jorma Kaukonen. This album was followed by 1972's Long John Silver. The next year, the band disbanded, and many of the members set to work on other projects. The classic lineup did reunite however, minus Skip Spence, for a tour and self-titled album in 1989. Jefferson Airplane were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Life Events
1965
Band came together in its earliest incarnation, with Marty Balin and Paul Kantner playing with vocalist Signe Toly Anderson.
1965
Group was signed to RCA Victor.
1966
Released their debut record, <i>Jefferson Airplane Takes Off</i>.
1966
Anderson left the group after the birth of her first child, and was immediately replaced by singer Grace Slick, formerly of the band the Great Society.
1967
Played their first string of shows on the East coast with the Greatful Dead and Quicksilver Messenger Service.
1967
Released their second album, <i>Surrealistic Pillow</i>, featuring the hit songs "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit."
1967
Explored a heavier rock sound with the release of their third album, <i>After Bathing at Baxter's</i>.
1968
Embarked on their first tour of Europe, playing many concerts with the Doors.
1969
Played at the famous Woodstock music festival.
1969
Members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen launched the side project Hot Tuna.
1969
Released their fourth album, <i>Volunteers.</i>
1970
Drummer Spencer Dryden was dismissed from the band, replaced by Joey Covington.
1970
Violinist Papa John Creach joined the group.
1970
Released the compilation album <i>The Worst of Jefferson Airplane</i>.
1971
Marty Balin left the group after giving up drugs and alcohol.
1971
Released the album <i>Bark</i>.
1972
Released the album <i>Long John Silver</i>.
1973
Disbanded following a performance at Winterland in San Francisco.
1974
Former members Paul Kantner and Grace Slick launched the band Jefferson Starship, eventually joined by Marty Balin and Papa John Creach.
1989
The band's classic lineup minus Skip Spence reunited for a tour and a self-titled album.
1996
Group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
2004
Band appeared in the documentary "Fly Jefferson Airplane."
