Jefferson Airplane’s most famous song is generally agreed to be “White Rabbit”, released in 1967 as part of their breakthrough album “Surrealistic Pillow”. Written by lead singer Grace Slick, “White Rabbit” is an update of 1959’s “Alice in Wonderland” by author Lewis Carroll, combined with references to drug use.
The song quickly became an anthem of the counterculture, due to its evocative lyrics that suggest a dream-like, psychedelic experience. It charted in the U. S. and the U. K. , peaking at #8 in the US, and was also a success in Canada and Australia.
It has since become ingrained in popular culture, appearing in film, television and advertisements. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.
Who wrote most of Jefferson Airplane songs?
The majority of Jefferson Airplane songs were written primarily by lead vocalist Marty Balin, with contributions from other members of the band. Other members of the band, such as Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, and Jack Casady, all contributed to the writing process, though Balin is generally credited with being the primary songwriter.
Balin wrote most of their early hits, including “Somebody to Love”, “White Rabbit”, “Wooden Ships” and “Today”. Outside songwriters wrote a few minor hits for the group, including “Plastic Fantastic Lover”, which was written by Laura Nyro.
In addition, Snail, a song by Jorma Kaukonen, was released as the B-side to the band’s 1971 single “Long John Silver”.
Who sang White Rabbit at Woodstock?
At Woodstock, Jefferson Airplane performed the iconic song “White Rabbit” live on stage. Written by singer-songwriter Grace Slick and released in 1967, the song describes an individual’s drug-induced reveries, influenced by fantasy and the “heroic” pursuit of an imaginary rabbit.
The band’s powerful lead vocal was provided by Slick, accompanied by Jorma Kaukonen on lead guitar, Jack Casady on bass, Spencer Dryden on drums, and Paul Kantner on rhythm guitar. The performance at Woodstock showcased the psychedelic stylings of the song, and the dreamlike quality it exuded made it a hit among the crowd.
What is the meaning of the song White Rabbit?
The song “White Rabbit” was written by Grace Slick and released by Jefferson Airplane in 1967. The song is widely interpreted as an allusion to the surrealistic imagery of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
At its surface, it can be seen as a song about escapism and the exploration of one’s own identity. The lyrics go beyond just a psychedelic fantasy and explore some of the more mature and questioning themes that are part of growing up.
In the song, Slick urges the listener to “feed your head” – to be open to exploring new ideas and to not just accept what society tells us, but to challenge it and think for ourselves. Additionally, the message in the song is to always be aware of the choices we make, because we are ultimately responsible for the consequences.
Through this proclamation, Slick is urging the listener to recognize that the world is built up of our choices and we can escape those we don’t like or that limit our ability to find our true identity.
What was the first plane to be shot down?
The first airplane to be successfully shot down was a German aircraft which was downed over France on August 26, 1914. The French aviator, Adolphe Pere family, was credited as the responsible party. He was piloting a Voisin LA biplane when he fired a single shot from a carbine rifle at the German aircraft, and successfully downed it.
This marked a historic moment in the history of warfare and the aviation industry alike, for it was the first successful shooting down of an aircraft during a combat mission. The event is even more remarkable considering the primitive weaponry and aircraft of the time—the aviators of the day had to be incredibly skilled and daring to execute such a feat.
What is the title of a hit single by the American rock band Jefferson Airplane?
The hit single by the American rock band Jefferson Airplane is “Somebody to Love”. It was released in 1966 and became an instant classic, reaching # 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. Since then, it has been covered by many other artists, including Justin Bieber, Richie Sambora, and even Glee.
The song encompasses many of the themes of the Summer of Love, such as love, community and peace, making it a perfect example of what classic rock was all about in the late 60s.
Is anyone still alive from Jefferson Airplane?
Yes, two members of the original Jefferson Airplane are still alive: Marty Balin and Paul Kantner. Marty Balin, the group’s original founder, lead vocalist and songwriter, was born in 1942, making him 78 years old.
He was a part of the band from 1965 until 1972, and rejoined in 1975 before leaving for good in 1978. Paul Kantner, the band’s guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, was born in 1941. Although he left the band on more than one occasion, he was a part of Jefferson Airplane from 1965 until its final album in 1989.
He is 79 years old today. Other former members of the group, like Spencer Dryden, Jorma Kaukonen, and Jack Casady, are not still alive. The group’s other founding member, Grace Slick, is alive but is not considered to be a part of the original Jefferson Airplane lineup, having joined the band in 1966.
Who came first Jefferson Starship vs Jefferson Airplane?
Jefferson Airplane was the original band that was created, coming together in 1965 in San Francisco, California. It was founded by Marty Balin and Paul Kantner, both of whom were in the local San Francisco music scene, and featured vocalists Grace Slick and Signe Anderson, as well as Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady on guitars.
For the next decade, Jefferson Airplane recorded and released several albums, and had several popular songs in the counterculture music world, including “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love”.
Jefferson Starship, however, was not formed until 1974, when Paul Kantner and Marty Balin left Jefferson Airplane and formed a new ensemble, taking the name Jefferson Starship to represent the interconnectivity of its namesake bands.
Initially, Jefferson Starship featured the same musicians as Jefferson Airplane, though this changed over its many years of existence. It was active until 1984 before ultimately disbanding. Though Jefferson Airplane was the original band, both have had iconic songs and albums, and have made a lasting impact on the music world.
Why did they call themselves Jefferson Airplane?
The rock band, Jefferson Airplane, got their name from a joke. Blending blues and rock, the San Francisco based band was “taking off” with their sound, which gave them the idea to combine the band’s name with that of the famous airplane, the “Jefferson Airplane.
” The name was meant to be a bit of a pun on the idea that they were flying on the wings of their own music. Though the band eventually changed their name to Jefferson Starship in 1974, the name still signifies their original sound and ambition.
What was Led Zeppelin’s airplane called?
Led Zeppelin famously owned and operated their own plane which they used to transport the band, crew, and equipment while on tour. The airplane was a custom-made Lockheed L-1011 Tristar, famously known as the Starship, and was owned by the band’s record label, Swan Song.
The plane was decorated in the label’s logo on its underside and tail, and was equipped with a special sound system, video equipment, and on-board lounge. The Starship became widely recognized for its luxurious style, custom airbrushed graphics, and velvet interior, as well as its unique association with Led Zeppelin.
The plane was capable of carrying up to 200 passengers, and made its maiden voyage on the band’s US tour in 1975. It even became a symbol of rock’n’roll excess, transporting the likes of The Who and Bad Company on their US tours throughout the 70s.
The Starship was eventually retired in 1980, and the aircraft is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D. C.
Is Starship and Jefferson Starship the same?
No, Starship and Jefferson Starship are not the same. Starship is an American rock band that originated from San Francisco, California in 1984. The band was originally composed of lead singer Mickey Thomas, guitarist Craig Chaquico, drummer Donny Baldwin, bassist Pete Sears, and keyboardist/vocalist Grace Slick who joined in 1985.
They disbanded in 1991 after releasing four studio albums.
Jefferson Starship is an offshoot of Jefferson Airplane, an iconic 1960s rock and roll band. Paul Kantner and Grace Slick were two of the founding members of Jefferson Airplane, and went on to form Jefferson Starship in 1974.
The band underwent several iterations over the years before eventually settling on founding members Slick, Kantner, and Chaquico in 1980, and released four albums between 1984 and 1989. Chaquico left the band in 1989, and Slick and Kantner soon followed.
Jefferson Starship officially disbanded in 1992.
Did David Crosby ever play with Jefferson Airplane?
Yes, David Crosby did play with Jefferson Airplane. He was a member of The Byrds before joining Jefferson Airplane in mid-1965. He played on the albums Surrealistic Pillow and After Bathing at Baxter’s as both a vocalist and a musician.
He left Jefferson Airplane before the recording of the album Volunteers in 1969. After leaving, he returned periodically to guest-star at concerts with the band. In 1989, he reunited with the original Jefferson Airplane members for the famous single “We Built This City”.
He also reunited with former Airplane vocalist Grace Slick in 2006 to tour together as a duo.
What did Marty Balin died from?
Marty Balin, founding member of the 1960s rock group Jefferson Airplane, passed away on September 27th, 2018 at the age of 76. Balin had been in poor health for some time and it was reported that he passed away from natural causes.
Balin had been suffering from a severe illness for several years, and complications related to this condition likely contributed to his death.
Balin was born Martyn Jerel Buchwald on January 30th, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He moved to San Francisco in the 1960s, where he formed Jefferson Airplane in 1965. He was the lead vocalist and songwriter of the band and was a major contributor to the group’s classic albums Surrealistic Pillow, Volunteers, and After Bathing at Baxter’s.
His songs with Jefferson Airplane, including “Today”, “Comin’ Back to Me” and “Volunteers”, were both critical and commercial successes. After leaving the band in 1971, Balin released several solo albums and continued to tour steadily until his death.
Balin will be remembered not just for his groundbreaking music but for his unwavering commitment to peace, love, and positive change. He was an artist who used his platform to spread a powerful message of togetherness and hope.
He will be sorely missed by his fans, friends, and family.
Are there any original members left in Jefferson Starship?
No, there are no original members left in Jefferson Starship. The band’s original lineup of Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Jack Casady, Jorma Kaukonen, and Spencer Dryden formed the band in 1974, but by 1984, most of the original members had left the group.
In 1985, Mickey Thomas joined the band, and he is considered the only “original” member remaining today. However, Thomas joined the band in its second incarnation, so he is not an original member of Jefferson Starship.
Ned Doheny (1984-1991) and Peter Kaukonen (1989-1990) were two other former members of the band, but neither is a part of the original lineup. Other members who have joined the band in recent years include Donny Baldwin, Chris Smith, Phil Sawyer, Pete Sears, Craig Chaquico, and David Freiberg.
All of these musicians are considered part of the modern Jefferson Starship lineup, but none of them are original members.
Which members of Jefferson Airplane have died?
Jefferson Airplane was a San Francisco-based rock band, active 1965-1972, who pioneered the “San Francisco Sound” and played an influential role in the changing music of the 1960s. Unfortunately, several of their original members have passed away.
The first was Signe Toly Anderson, the original female vocalist, who left the band in 1966 due to her pregnancy. She died on January 28, 2016, at the age of 74, after a long battle with COPD and lung cancer.
The band’s original bass player, Bob Harvey, died in 1975 after struggling with drug abuse.
Spencer Dryden, a significant piece of the band’s psychedelic era from 1966 to 1970, died in 2005 from lung cancer.
Legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter Paul Kantner passed away in 2016 due to Multiple Ograns Dysfunction Syndrome at the age of 74.
Marty Balin, co-founder and lead singer, who wrote classic songs Remember Me and Volunteers died in 2018 after struggling with heart issues.
Finally, Jack Casady, the band’s evolution, died at the age of 76, in 2020, after a long battle with a brief illness.
Since the band’s creation, all of these members played important roles that helped shape the legacy of Jefferson Airplane. They will certainly be missed.