Twisted Tales: Grace Slick Exemplifies 1960s Hedonism -- Going on Six Decades

Spinner ^ | Feb 19th 2010 | James Sullivan

[woofie]

Side One of the Jefferson Airplane's classic 1967 album 'Surealistic Pillow' gets a heavy workout in the Coen brothers' latest film, 'A Serious Man,' loosely based on the directors' own coming-of-age in suburban Minnesota in the era of acid rock. Bar mitzvah boy Danny listens to 'Somebody to Love' on transistor-radio earphones to get through Hebrew school.

The powerful voice on that hit single belonged to Grace Slick, one of the first true female rock stars, and one of the most unrepentant characters to emerge from the hedonistic '60s. Her appetite was legendary, even among her famously indulgent peers. And she had a nose for trouble: As recently as the 1990s, she was having run-ins with the law.

As the San Francisco rock scene began to form in the mid-1960s, the young department store model born Grace Wing started a rock band called the Great Society with her then-husband, Jerry Slick, and his brother Darby. When another local band, Jefferson Airplane, lost a singer to maternity leave, they offered to buy Grace out of her contract. She brought two songs with her from the Great Society: the Darby Slick composition 'Somebody to Love' and her own 'White Rabbit' -- a dirgelike drug-culture anthem teeming with trippy 'Alice in Wonderland' imagery that would follow the former song into the Top 10 during the Summer of Love.

[shibumi]

"The body’s meatbolism changes..."

Is that like when you start going for the alfredo and pesto instead of the marinara?

[arthurus]

Janis still had some good work in her but none with the synergy of Big Brother. My kids took me to a Starship concert in Tallahassee knowing I was an old Gracie fan. I was appalled at the lady trying so hard to be a Hollywood 18 year old song and dance showgirl and "We Built This City" just made me slide down in my seat hoping no one saw me seeing it. My two favorite pieces or R&R are both White Rabbit- Great Society and the Airplane. I saw her do it at Monterey Pop.

[sueuprising]

I confused. Why are so many people on this particular topic so vitriolic about a 70 year old woman with a checkered past? Because she gained weight? Are you people just railing against the ‘60s in general? And Patriot08, as I mentioned in my other post, yes, there are women who are perpetually slender despite their diet, but most women put on some weight as they age. I think most of the comments are just plain mean and I expected better from this web site.

[Roccus]

I used to think it was quite unique also....until I ran across JA’s first album (Jefferson Airplane Takes Off) Before Grace sang with them, they had Signe Toly Anderson as the female lead singer. When I first heard this album, I thought it was Grace. Found out I was wrong when I read the album cover.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

I used to work concert security at major venues in Cincinnati back in the 80’s. She once called me a very rude and very nasty name because I was the chump tasked with the job of finding her wandering around backstage and advising her that she was needed on stage in five minutes. She is absolutely NOT a decent person at all.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

Mama Cass died of a massive heart attack. There was a half-eaten ham sandwich on her nightstand. That is where the urban legend began.

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[patriot08]

I have nothing against this lady. I don’t even know her. She was way before my time.
I just made a statement about how she would still be attractive if she lost weight and grew her hair out.
I just don’t think getting older is an excuse for pigging out and retiring to the couch.

[Elle Bee]

I believe bandmate Marty Balin has very much the same opinion ... and he has a much better voice

.

[onedoug]

Ack!

[sueuprising]

“I have nothing against this lady. I don’t even know her. She was way before my time”
Then you have the unforgiving nature of youth when in judgement of elders. Review your comments about weight and gray hair when you are in your 50s. I guarantee it will change. However, I am not sure why you think Grace Slick is a piggish couch potato. She does not look terribly obese to me, just a lot older than her pics from 1965.

[RockinRight]

Actually I’ve heard Balin was a little light in the loafers. Not sure if that’s true.

[umbagi]

I was speaking to the myth. I thought the original poser of “I thought...” was speaking of the myth with tongue in cheek, too, not stating a fact. Maybe not — thanks for that.

[Hostage]

Much attributed to T4 to T3 conversion metabolism problem suspected of being caused by bromide preservatives in the food chain among other things.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Get off your high horse!

[sueuprising]

“Get off your high horse!”
I am not sure why you think I am being arrogant when all I am saying is that a 70 year old lady should not be lambasted for not being the svelte rock star she once was. Boy oh boy.

[SuziQ]

“Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit” are two of my favorite songs from the Summer of Love. I enjoy singing them because they’re in my range! ;o)

[SuziQ]

just think of what the effect on the music world would have been if Karen Carpenter had the ham sandwich that Mama Cass choked to death on...

ROTFL!! You got ME choking here!!

[SuziQ]

If you can remember the 60”s, you weren’t there.

Only if you were a stoner. I wasn't, so I remember them just fine. 1967 was the greatest summer for music, but just about anything from 1965-1970 were great!