Replies

This week my theme is a psychedelic band that started in 1965 in San Francisco and over the decades evolved into an 80's pop powerhouse. The original group was Signe Toly Anderson, Bob Harvey, Jerry Peloquin, Skip Spence, Marty Balin, Jorma Kaukonen and Paul Kantner and collectively known as the Jefferson Airplane. Before 1965 ended, singer Signe Toly Anderson, bassist Bob Harvey and drummer Jerry Peloquin had left the band, replaced by bassist Jack Casady and drummer Skip Spence. By the time their first album was released (Takes Off) in 1966, drummer Skip Spence had died and was replaced by Spencer Dryden and Grace Slick was added as lead vocalist. For the next seven years the Airplane spred it's wings and changed personnel with drummers Joey Covington joining in 1970 and John Barbata replacing him in 1972. Papa John Creach joined in 1970 on violin and David Freiberg took over vocals from Joey Covington in 1972, but 1972 would be the end of the Airplane. They were eclipsed by Paul Kantner and Jefferson Starship with the release of Blows Against The Empire in 1970. Meanwhile there had been dozens of guest musicians from Jerry Garcia to David Crosby and a few spinoff bands including Hot Tuna.

Jefferson Starship brought Dragon Fly in 1974 and has been around ever since in one form or another, officially shortening their name to "Starship" in 1984 when they ruled MTV.

Jefferson Starship/Starship have employed a Who's Who of rock royalty including guitarists Craig Chaquico, Jeff Tamilier, Erik Torjesen, Mark Abrahamian & John Roth (to name a few), bassists Pete Sears, Brett Bloomfield, John Garnache & Jeff Adams, drummers Donny Baldwin, T. Moran & Darrell Verdusco, vocalists Mickey Thomas, Melisa Kary, Christina Marie Saxton and Stephanie Calvert.

With a total of over 22 studio albums from the combined bands, (not to mention dozens of Live offerings, bootlegs and Compilations) there is a rich and diverse archive of material. I'll be lucky to scratch the surface, but if I shut up now and get to it, we may have chance.

It's No Secret
~ Jefferson Airplane ~