RIP Marty Balin

[HanSenSE]

One of the founders of then-Jefferson Airplane, one of the pioneers of the San Francisco Sound along with the Grateful Dead, gone at 76.

Marty Balin, who soared with Jefferson Airplane, dead at 76

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Rock and roll heaven keeps getting closer to yours truly. A magnificent rock star, a great voice. Go watch Monterey Pop in his honor. Go listen to Surrealistic Pillow or better yet, Bless Its Pointed Little Head, the live album.

 

[Tarheel316]

Makes me think of that 1976 song With Your Love. One of the Starship’s best.

 

[Key]

Big fan of Plastic Fantastic Lover

 

[micropolitan guy]

Woodstock's 50th anniversary is next August. The number of musicians who performed there is steadily decreasing.

My older brother went. He will be 68 in July. Does not seem possible.

 

[I Should Coco]

Jefferson Airplane/Starship were a bit before my time, but I got into them in high school. Especially the "Volunteers" album with the late 1960s anthems — including the title track, which Balin co-wrote and sang.

While some of his Starship-era songs were a bit sappy ("Miracles," "With Your Love," etc.)*, I think "Caroline," from the Dragonfly album, is one his best performances.

RIP to a great singer and a guy who seemed to (relatively) have it together among the crazies of the Airplane.

* EDIT: sorry Tarheal, didn't mean to dump on one your favorite Starship songs.

 

[goalmouth]

Wasn't it Balin got punched by a Hell's Angel at Altamont in Gimme Shelter?

 

[micropolitan guy]

Wasn't it Balin got punched by a Hell's Angel at Altamont in Gimme Shelter?

Yes.

 

[DanOregon]

I really liked this - I think KBC was one and done - but the song holds up.

 

[cyclingwriter2]

The Airplane/Starship was at its best when Balin was with them and vice versa.

Sounds like he was a very interesting guy who often got fed up with the insanity of his band mates, fans and record execs.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Such a shame a great band like the Airplane became one of the worst corporate rock outfits as Starship

 

[Huggy]

**** you, we do what we want - Paul Kantner in a letter to Rolling Stone (later immortalized in the Starship's underrated "Stairway to Cleveland")

 

[cjericho]

Woodstock's 50th anniversary is next August. The number of musicians who performed there is steadily decreasing.

My older brother went. He will be 68 in July. Does not seem possible.

Talking about it with a buddy who always goes to a few shows at Bethel Woods every summer. So far haven't seen anything about
a concert(s) planned.