Tag Archives: Jefferson Airplane

Jefferson Airplane: Surrealistic Pillow

On February 1, 1967, “RCA Victor” label released “Surrealistic Pillow”, the second Jefferson Airplane studio album. It was recorded October – November 1966, at “RCA Victor” in Hollywood, and was produced by Rick Jarrard.

Personnel:

  • Grace Slick – lead and co-lead vocals, piano, organ, recorder
  • Marty Balin – lead and co-lead vocals, guitar, design
  • Paul Kantner – lead and co-lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jorma Kaukonen – lead vocals, lead guitar
  • Jack Casady – bass guitar, fuzz bass, rhythm guitar
  • Spencer Dryden – drums, percussion
  • Jerry Garcia – “musical and spiritual advisor”, guitar
  • Herb Greene – photography
  • David Hassinger – engineer

Track listing:

  1. She Has Funny cars – Jorma Kaukonen, Marty Balin
  2. Somebody to Love – Darby Slick
  3. My Best Friend – Skip Spence
  4. Today – Marty Balin, Paul Kantner
  5. Comin’ Back to Me – Marty Balin
  6. 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds – Marty Balin
  7. D.C.B.A. – 25 – Paul Kantner
  8. How Do You Feel – Tom Mastin
  9. Embryone Journey – Jorma Kaukonen
  10. White Rabbit – Grace Slick
  11. Plastic Fantastic Love – Marty Balin

Skip Spence

On April 16, 1999, Alexander Lee “Skip” Spence died aged 52. He was musician (drums, guitar, bass), singer and songwriter, started the career as guitarist in Quicksilver Messenger, played drums on “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off”, the debut Jefferson Airplane album, but was best known as co-founder and guitar player of Moby Grape. As leader, Spence released one album.

Paul Kantner

On January 28, 2016, Paul Lorin Kantner died aged 74. He was musician (guitar, banjo, and harmonica) and vocalist, member of the KBC Band and Jefferson Starship, but was best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist and occasional vocalist of the Jefferson Airplane. In 1996, as a member of Jefferson Airplane, Kantner was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.

Spencer Dryden

On January 10, 2005, Spencer Dryden died aged 66. He was musician (drums), member of the bands New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Ashes (later The Peanut Butter Conspiracy), The Dinosaurs, but was best known as the drummer of Jefferson Airplane. In 1996, Dryden was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.

Jefferson Airplane: Long John Silver

On July 20, 1972, “Grunt” label released “Long John Silver”, the seventh Jefferson Airplane studio album. It was recorded March – May 1972, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by Grace Slick, Jack Casady, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Papa John Creech, John Barbata and Joey Covington.

Personnel:

  • Grace Slick– vocals, piano, arrangements
  • Paul Kantner– vocals, rhythm guitar, arrangements
  • Jorma Kaukonen– vocals, lead guitar, arrangements
  • Jack Casady– bass, arrangements
  • Papa John Creach– electric violin, arrangements
  • John Barbata– drums, tambourine, arrangements
  • Joey Covington– drums, arrangements
  • Pat “Maurice the Magnificent” Leraci – production coordinator
  • Don Gooch – engineer
  • Pacific Eye & Ear – album concept, design
  • Bob Tanenbaum, Propella Rotini – illustrations
  • Bruce Kinch – photography

Track listing:

  1. Long John Silver – Grace Slick, Jack Casady
  2. Aerie (Gang of Eagles) – Grace Slick
  3. Twilight Double Leader – Paul Kantner
  4. Milk Train – Grace Slick, Papa John Creach, Roger Spotts
  5. The Son of Jesus – Paul Kantner
  6. Easter? – Grace Slick
  7. Trial by Free – Jorma Kaukonen
  8. Alexander the Medium – Paul Kantner
  9. Eat Starch Mom – Grace Slick, Jorma Kaukonen

Jefferson Airplane: Volunteers

In November 1969, “RCA” label released “Volunteers”, the fifth Jefferson Airplane album. It was recorded in April 1969, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by Al Schmitt.

Personnel:

  • Grace Slick– vocals, piano, organ, recorder, design
  • Jorma Kaukonen– vocals, lead guitar, design
  • Paul Kantner– vocals, rhythm guitar, design
  • Jack Casady– bass, design
  • Spencer Dryden– drums, percussion, design
  • Marty Balin– vocals, percussion
  • Jerry Garcia– pedal steel guitar
  • Nicky Hopkins– piano
  • Stephen Stills– Hammond organ
  • Joey Covington– congas, chair
  • David Crosby– sailboat
  • Ace of Cups– vocals
  • Bill Laudner– lead vocals
  • Rich Schmitt – engineer
  • Gut – design
  • Milton Burke – design
  • Jim Marshall – cover photography
  • Jim Smircich – back photography
  • Littie Herbie Greene – PB & J photography

Track listing:

  1. We Can Be Together – Paul Kantner
  2. Good Shepherd – traditional, arr. by Jorma Kaukonen
  3. The Farm – Paul Kantner, Gary Blackman
  4. Hey Frederick – Grace Slick
  5. Turn My Life Down – Jorma Kaukonen
  6. Wooden Ships – David Crosby, Paul Kantner, Stephen Stills
  7. Eskimo Blue Day – Grace Slick, Paul Kantner
  8. A Song for All Seasons – Spencer Drtden
  9. Meadowlands – Lev Knipper
  10. Volunteers – Marty Balin, Paul Kantner

Jefferson Airplane: Bark

In September 1971, “Grunt” label released “Bark”, the sixth Jefferson Airplane studio album. It was recorded October 1970 – June 1971, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by Jack Cassidy, Joey Covington, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Grace Slick and Papa John Creach.

Personnel:

  • Paul Kantner– vocals, guitar
  • Jorma Kaukonen– vocals, lead guitar
  • Grace Slick– vocals, piano, portraits
  • Papa John Creach– violin
  • Jack Casady– bass guitar, bass balalaika
  • Joey Covington – vocals, drums, percussion
  • Bill Laudner – vocal
  • Will Scarlett – harmonica
  • A Train – additional ideas
  • Allen Zentz – engineer
  • Masterful Maurice (Pat Leraci) – engineer
  • Acy Lehman – package concept, design
  • Bill Thompson – portrait of Grace
  • Gary Blackman – art direction, bag poem

Track listing:

  1. When the Earth Moves Again – Paul Kantner
  2. Feel So Good – Jorma Kaukonen
  3. Crazy Miranda – Grace Slick
  4. Pretty as You Feel – Joey Covington, Jack Casady, Jorma Kaukonen
  5. Wild Turkey – Jorma Kaukonen
  6. Law man – Grace Slick
  7. Rock and Roll Island – Paul Kantner
  8. Third Week in the Chelsea – Jorma Kaukonen
  9. Never Argue with a German If You’re Tired or European Song – Grace Slick
  10. Thunk – Joey Covington
  11. War Movie – Paul Kantner

Jefferon Airplane: Crown of Creation

In September 1968, “RCA Victor” label released “Crown of Creation”, the fourth Jefferson Airplane studio album. It was recorded February – June 1958, at “RCA Victor Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Al Schmitt.

Personnel:

  • Marty Balin– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Grace Slick– vocals, piano, organ
  • Paul Kantner– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jorma Kaukonen– vocals, lead guitar
  • Jack Casady – bass
  • Spencer Dryden – vocals, drums, piano, organ
  • Charles Cockey – vocals, guitar
  • David Crosby– guitar
  • Tim Davis– congas
  • Bill Goodwin– talking drums
  • Dan Woody – bongos
  • Gene Twombly – sound effects
  • Richie Schmitt – engineer
  • Pat Leraci – 8-Track recording
  • Van Hamersveld – design, art direction
  • Hiro – photography
  • USAF – bomb photography

Track listing:

  1. Lather – Grace Slick
  2. In Time – Paul Kantner, Marty Balin
  3. Triad – David Crosby
  4. Star Track – Jorma Kaukonen
  5. Share a Little Joke – Marty Balin
  6. Chushingura – Spencer Dryden
  7. If You Feel – Marty Balin, Gary Blackman
  8. Crown of Creation – Paul Kantner
  9. Ice Cream Phoenix – Jorma Kaukonen, Charles Cockey
  10. Greasy Heart – Grace Slick
  11. The House at Pooneil Corners – Paul Kantner, Marty Balin