In September 1972, the iconic American band Jefferson Airplane played their final gig and divided into two bands – Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship.
Founded by core Airplane members Paul Kantner and Grace Slick, Jefferson Starship successfully transitioned from psychedelic rock into an arena rock powerhouse.
Their 1975 sophomore album, Red Octopus, went double-platinum and hit #1 on the Billboard 200, propelled by the hit power ballad Miracles.
The band enjoyed great radio success with tracks like Count on Me, Runaway, Ride the Tiger, and With Your Love.
A chaotic 1978 European tour ensued, with Grace Slick struggling openly with alcoholism. After rendering herself incapable of appearing at one concert, the crowd rioted and burned down the stage, destroying venue facilities and causing an estimated $1 million in damage to the band’s equipment.
She was eventually asked to leave the band following a concert in Hamburg, where she goose-stepped around the stage in a Heidi dress and called the audience Nazis while trying to stick her fingers up the noses of the people at the front of the stage.
Marty Balin departed shortly after. Then drummer John Barbata was involved in a car accident, breaking his neck, collarbone and wrist.
The group recruited vocalist Mickey Thomas and drummer Aynsley Dunbar as replacements, and the new lineup scored major hits with Jane in 1979 and Find Your Way Back in 1981.
Grace Slick officially rejoined the band in 1981, but by 1984, creative friction peaked between Mickey Thomas’ commercial pop-rock ambitions and Paul Kantner’s sci-fi, artistic vision.
Kantner left the band and sued the remaining members over the rights to the name.
An agreement forced the remaining members to drop “Jefferson” and officially rebrand as Starship in 1985.
This pop-heavy incarnation achieved massive commercial success with global # 1 tracks like We Built This City and Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.
Paul Kantner legally reclaimed and revived the Jefferson Starship name in 1992, assembling a nostalgic touring lineup that included former members. Following his death in 2016, the band decided to keep his legacy alive and continue to tour worldwide.
Grace Slick
Vocals, piano Paul Kantner
Guitar, vocals Marty Balin Vocals Papa John Creach
Violin David Freiberg
Bass, keyboards, vocals John Barbata
Drums, vocals Craig Chaquico
Guitar Pete Sears
Bass, keyboards Peter Kaukonen
Bass Mickey Thomas
Vocals Aynsley Dunbar
Drums Donny Baldwin
Drums
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Marty Balin departed shortly after. Then drummer John Barbata was involved in a car accident, breaking his neck, collarbone and wrist.
