Beech Tree News Network

Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship and Starship are one in the same.  “What’s that”, you say? Jefferson Airplane folded following the release of their 1972 album Long John Silver.  They morphed into Jefferson Starship for 1974’s Dragon Fly LP.  To say these were transitional times would be an understatement; the Airplane’s lineup had been in a constant state of flux and so it was with Starship; with substance abuse, personal conflicts, and disagreements on the direction of the band.  Singer Grace Slick was forced from the group after drunkenly taunting the crowd during a German concert, followed by guitarist/vocalist Marty Balin, leaving co-founder Paul Kantner to find a new lead singer.

Former Elvin Bishop singer Mickey Thomas, fresh off the success of “Fooled Around and Fell In Love”, would fill that role.  Starship’s 1979 release Freedom at Point Zero boasted the top 20 hit “Jane”, which pointed the way for the radio-friendly love songs they’d be known for from that point forward. The modern sounding keys, power chords and Thomas’ elastic voice, they fit right in with hits of the day by Boston and Toto.

The ‘80’s incarnation was, by all accounts. Pretty cheesy.  The synth heavy “We Built This City” and “Sara” pretty much solidified their latest status of sellouts.  It was a far cry from 1969’s “Somebody To Love”. Slick said “For me, it was like two different occupations”.  Basically, the band had become like a 9 to 5 occupation.  The band called it quits in ’89-’90.  They were done in ’89 but the record company put together a hits package to kick off the decade, even though the band was long gone.

Whenever a new singer comes to the band, it’s always a risk and never quite the same.  Some consider it sacrilege, while others may roll with the punches.  I still cringe a little when I hear “We Built This City”, though. And then the cheesy ‘80’s kid in me gets into it.

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Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for beechtree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!