Beech Tree News Network

There aren’t many stories of one band that has lasted six decades.  The following is one of those stories.  Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965.  They were one of the first bands to achieve mainstream success with psychedelic rock, becoming international stars by the late ‘60’s.  The band went through several lineup changes, notably with Grace Slick replacing Signe Toly Anderson as female vocalist in late 1966.  They are known for hits like “Somebody To Love”, “Volunteers” and “White Rabbit”.  The band officially disbanded in 1972.  That’s it, right? No.  Here comes the interesting part: members later reunited under different names.

The band formed in 1965 with the late Marty Balin (who would go onto have some solo success in the ‘80’s, the above-mentioned Signe Toly Anderson, Jorma Kaukonen, Paul Kanter, Bob Harvey and Jerry Peloquin. Grace Slick replaced Anderson, bringing a powerful vocal presence and contributing to the band’s signature sound.   Jefferson Airplane’s music blended psychedelic rock with folk and blues influences, creating a unique sound that resonated with audiences.  

The band experienced lineup changes, with Spencer Dryden replacing Jerry Peloquin on drums and Nicky Hopkins on piano.  Jefferson Airplane officially disbanded in 1972, with members continuing to collaborate on various projects.  The band’s influence on psychedelic rock and popular music is undeniable, and they remain an iconic band from the 1960’s.  That’s all she wrote, right? Wrong.

Balin left the band in April of ’71.  After 1972, Jefferson Airplane effectively split into two groups.  Kaukonen and Casady moved on full-time to their own band called Hot Tuna.  Slick, Kantner and the remaining members of Jefferson Airplane recruited new members and regrouped as Jefferson Starship in 1974, with Balin eventually joining them.  On May 13, 1971, Slick was injured in a near-fatal car crash.  Her recuperation took a few months.  Jefferson Airplane held together long enough to record one more album in April 1972.  By this time, members were engaged in their various solo projects.  

Jefferson Airplane had a short life (1965-72).  Two years after J.A. disbanded, Jefferson Starship was formed from the final lineup of Jefferson Airplane, with Paul Kantner and Grace Slick leading the way, incorporating more arena rock elements and exploring diverse musical styles.  By 1981, Slick had rejoined the band.  As the ‘80’s progressed, Kantner became unhappy with the commercial direction of Jefferson Starship and left the group in 1984.  The band continued with a reconstituted lineup and dropped the “Jefferson” from its name, becoming Starship.  

Jefferson Starship's hits include “Miracles,” “With Your Love,” and “Jane,” the last of which is Orange Cassidy’s AEW entrance song.   Following personnel changes and legal issues taken by Kanter, suing over money he claimed he was owed and preventing the remaining members to use the name Jefferson Starship, they simply dropped the “Jefferson” and became Starship.  Starship began in 1984 and is still going.  With hits like “We Built This City”, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”, “Sara”, and “Wild Again” for the Top Gun soundtrack, they brought a new sound to their classic legacy.  There you have it: one legendary band that has survived all these years through all the members and name changes.