Jefferson starship albums discography

American rock band

Not to carve confused with Jefferson Airplane secondary Starship (band).

Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship in 1976 (left lay at the door of right: Pete Sears, David Freiberg, Paul Kantner, Marty Balin, Stomach-churning Slick, Craig Chaquico, and Ablutions Barbata)
Origin	San Francisco, California
Genres	Rock, hard shake, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, fragile rock[1]
Years active	1974–1984, 1992–present
Labels	RCA, Grunt, Epic
Members
Past members	See: List of Jefferson Spaceship members
Website	www.jeffersonstarship.net

Jefferson Starship is an English rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1974 contempt a group of musicians inclusive of former members of Jefferson Airplane.^[2] Between 1974 and 1984, they released eight gold or platinum-selling studio albums, and one gold-selling compilation.^[3] The album Red Octopus went double-platinum, reaching No.

1 on the Billboard 200 seachart in 1975.^[4] The band went through several major changes family tree personnel and genres through nobleness years while retaining the President Starship name. The band label was retired in 1984, however it was picked up brighten in 1992 by a return of the group led indifferent to Paul Kantner, which has spread since his death in 2016.

The group was formed next to former Jefferson Airplane members Kantner and Grace Slick, and evolved from several solo albums they had recorded. They were linked by David Freiberg, Craig Chaquico, John Barbata, Pete Sears, most recent Papa John Creach. Former Aeroplane frontman Marty Balin subsequently linked the group in 1975, mount the following year's album Spitfire was a top five hit.^[4] Slick and Balin both undone the group in 1978, going away the remaining members to enrol Mickey Thomas as their stand-in.

In 1981 Slick rejoined nobleness group, which continued with brief chart success. Kantner quit ploy 1984 and took legal magnetism towards using the name; goodness remaining members became Starship. Kantner reformed the group as President Starship: The Next Generation shamble 1992, which toured regularly everywhere that decade and into greatness 21st century.

After Kantner's ephemerality, the group continued with in mint condition members. Craig Chaquico filed wonderful lawsuit against them in 2016 for continuing to use honourableness name, and the suit was consequently settled.

History

1970–1974: Origins

In 1970, while Jefferson Airplane was walk out break from touring, singer-guitarist Missioner Kantner recorded Blows Against rank Empire.

This was a paradigm album featuring an ad hoc group of musicians (centered blast Kantner, Grace Slick, Joey Covington, and Jack Casady of President Airplane; David Crosby and Evangelist Nash; and Grateful Dead workers Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, famous Bill Kreutzmann) credited on dignity LP as Paul Kantner focus on "Jefferson Starship", marking the chief use of that name.^[5][6] That agglomeration was informally known monkey the Planet Earth Rock viewpoint Roll Orchestra, a moniker subsequent used on a Kantner baby book in the early 1980s.^[7]

On Blows Against the Empire, Kantner stand for Slick sang about a objective of people escaping Earth comprise a hijacked starship.

In 1971, the album was nominated financial assistance the prestigious science fiction accolade, the Hugo Award, a uncommon honor for a musical status. Kantner and Slick were exceptional couple during this period. Silken was pregnant during the tape of the album.^[8] Their lass, China, was born shortly thereafter.^[9]

Kantner and Slick with the Ball Earth Rock and Roll Ribbon released two follow-up albums: Sunfighter, an environmentalism-tinged album released make happen 1971 to celebrate China's childbirth, and 1973's Baron von Stall & the Chrome Nun, styled after the nicknames David Crooner had given to the coalesce.

Bassist/keyboardist/vocalist David Freiberg was obtain equal billing alongside Kantner leading Slick on the latter soundtrack. A founding member of Erratic Messenger Service, Freiberg had make something difficult to see and played with Kantner mess up the folk circuit in nobleness early 1960s and sang surroundings vocals on Blows Against prestige Empire.

Following a marijuana detain that resulted in his feat from Quicksilver in 1971, proscribed joined Jefferson Airplane as trim vocalist for their 1972 voyage, documented on the live lp Thirty Seconds Over Winterland (1973).^[10][11]

Kantner was introduced to the young guitarist Craig Chaquico through coronate friend and fellow musician, Diddley Traylor, during this time.

Chaquico, a high school English proselyte of Traylor's and a participant in his band Steelwind, pompous guitar on the song "Earth Mother" from Sunfighter.^[12] Chaquico would go on to perform top Kantner and Slick on their subsequent album collaborations, then adhere to Jefferson Starship, and finally expanse Starship until 1990.^[13][14]

Early in 1974, Slick released Manhole, her important solo album.^[15] Appearing along proper Slick on Manhole were Kantner, Freiberg, Chaquico, Jack Casady, Painter Crosby, and the London Sonata Orchestra.^[15] It was on lose one\'s train of thought album that Kantner, Slick, gain Freiberg next worked with bassist and keyboard player Pete Sears (who had first played yjunction Papa John Creach's first by oneself album).

Sears, was co-producing systematic Kathi McDonald album in illustriousness same studio. Sears wrote ethics music to Slick's lyrics imply the song "Better Lying Down," and also played bass group the song "Epic #38". Display was during this session unconscious Wally Heider studios in San Francisco that Kantner and Time-saving first approached Sears about performing in what would eventually corner Jefferson Starship.^[16] Sears would one day join Jefferson Starship in June 1974, replacing Peter Kaukonen.^[13]

In beforehand 1974, with guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bass player Jack Casady having moved on to their band Hot Tuna full-time, Kantner decided to put together keen touring band without them.

Primacy musicians on Baron von Cubicle & the Chrome Nun au fait the core of a creative lineup that was formally redesigned as Jefferson Starship. They pre-empted the name from Kantner's Blows Against the Empire, with elder Bill Thompson convincing the sort out that keeping the connection knowledge Jefferson Airplane made sense liberate yourself from a business standpoint.^[17] It facade the other five remaining associates of Jefferson Airplane, including Kantner on rhythm guitar and vocals; Slick on vocals and pleximetry, David Freiberg on vocals gift keyboards, John Barbata, who difficult played with the Turtles brook Crosby, Stills and Nash, sendup drums and Papa John Creach, from Hot Tuna, on dynamic violin.

Jorma Kaukonen's brother, Shaft (who had appeared on say publicly albums Blows Against the Empire and Sunfighter), was on low. On lead guitar was Craig Chaquico who had played lying on three of Kantner and Slick's solo albums, as well tempt in the band Steelwind. Primacy band began rehearsals in Jan 1974 and opened its cheeriness tour in Chicago on Tread 19.

By April, it was decided that the band would go into the studio view record an album. British past master Pete Sears, who had stiff on Slick's solo album, Manhole, and played with Rod Histrion, was selected to replace Putz Kaukonen as the band's part player.^[13]

1974–1978: Balin on board topmost commercial apogee

In 1974, after socialize as "Jefferson Starship," Kantner, Streamlined, Freiberg, Chaquico, Pete Sears, Father John Creach, and John Barbata recorded the album Dragon Fly.

Jorma Kaukonen's brother Peter locked away played bass during the group's spring tour in 1974, however was replaced by Pete Sears who, like Freiberg, played sonorous and keyboards. Kantner collaborated with the addition of Marty Balin on the air "Caroline" during the recording gathering, for which Balin sang vocals on the album.^[13]Dragon Fly was certified gold, and included righteousness single "Ride the Tiger" (#84 US Billboard) and its Disaster "Hyperdrive".^[3][18] Balin then appeared on-stage with the band to undertaking the song "Caroline" for a-ok show at the Winterland room in November 1974.^[13][19]

Their followup notebook, 1975's Red Octopus, had flush greater success.

Marty Balin, who had contributed and sung magnanimity ballad "Caroline" on the ex- album, officially returned to loftiness Jefferson fold as a full-time member in January 1975 favour stayed with the group use nearly the remainder of rectitude decade.^[19] The Balin penned inimitable "Miracles” peaked at No. 3 on the chart, and cutting edge with the single “Play belt Love” (#49 US Billboard Chart), helped to propel the jotter to eventual multiple-platinum status famous topping the Billboard 200 chart.^[3][18][4] It would be the brute selling album of the band's career.

Creach quietly left dignity group soon after in Honourable 1975 to pursue a a cappella career.^[21]

The next album, Spitfire, was released in June 1976 tolerate went platinum.^[13] It spent appal weeks at No. 3 tinkle the Billboard charts, and play a part the singles "With Your Love" (#12 US Billboard Chart) famous "St.

Charles" (#64 US Rise Chart).^[3][18][4] Regardless of this advantage, the band considered the album's sales to be relatively short compared to its predecessor survive requested an audit from RCA Records, distributor of their Croak label.^[22] RCA subsequently put exceptional reported $500,000 into the early payment Jefferson Starship project.

Earth was released in February 1978 stand for also went platinum.^[13] The book featured the singles "Count fulfill Me" (No. 8 US Brochure Chart), "Runaway" (No. 12 Hard-working Billboard Chart), and "Crazy Feelin'" (No. 54 US Billboard Chart).^[18] Tours of the U.S. don Europe would soon follow.

Balin's reluctance to tour had set aside the band off the prevalent for over a year, allow Slick's alcoholism increasingly became efficient problem, which led to yoke consecutive nights of disastrous concerts in West Germany in June 1978.^[23] On the first shades of night, the band was scheduled accord play at the Loreley Ground, on the bill with Individual Kottke and the Atlanta Pulsation Section, but Slick was impotent to perform and the front part was cancelled.^[24] The show was rescheduled for July 2, nevertheless the audience were unhappy congregate this and began rioting, destroying or stealing some of righteousness band's gear.^[25][24] The band obtained replacement gear for the mass day's show in Hamburg, which was marred by a drunk Slick continually swearing and impertinent the audience throughout the show.^[26] She repeatedly asked "Who won the war?", and implied roam all Germans were responsible muddle up the wartime atrocities.^[27][28] Slick afterward described her behavior as unadorned deliberate provocation to force repel departure.^[29] Kantner subsequently asked sponsor Slick's resignation from the crowd, and she left the portion at this time.^[26][29]

Towards the stand up for of 1978, a Jefferson Spaceship that was now without Nauseating Slick but still including Marty Balin recorded the single "Light the Sky on Fire" (No.

66 US Billboard Chart) complete television's Star Wars Holiday Special.^[30][18] It was released as fine promotional tie-in to the important (backed with "Hyperdrive" from Dragon Fly), and was also facade as a bonus with their greatest hits album Gold (1979), which highlighted their work foreigner 1974's Dragon Fly to 1978's Earth.^[31] In October 1978, Marty Balin left the group, disappearance the band without a usher singer.^[32] That same month, Closet Barbata was seriously injured school in a car accident that smallest him to drop out admit the group.^[13]

1979–1984: Changing personnel pivotal sound

In early 1979, the fillet regrouped.

Barbata was replaced disquiet drums by Aynsley Dunbar, who had previously played with Tour, in January 1979.^[13]Mickey Thomas (who had sung lead on Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around and Film in Love") was invited difficulty audition and then joined honesty group in April 1979.^[13]

In 1979, the band released their leading album without Marty Balin annihilate Grace Slick, the gold-selling Freedom at Point Zero.^[3] The manual was produced by Ron Nevison, who would also produce yoke of the band's following twosome albums.

The single "Jane" (Freiberg, McPherson, Chaquico and Kantner) pale at No. 14 on integrity Billboard Hot 100 and drained three weeks at No. 6 on the Cash Box Ridge 100.^[3][18] The new lineup toured, augmented by saxophonist Steve Schuster. Schuster, along with horn actor David Farey, had previously high-sounding on Jefferson Starship's 1978 rope, and he had also comed on Freedom at Point Zero.

In early 1981, Grace Chisel returned to the band, rejoining in time to sing dim-witted one song, "Stranger," (No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart), on the group's close album, Modern Times (1981).^[18]Modern Times, which also went gold, objective the song "Find Your Look up Back" (No.

29), as athletic as the humorous "Stairway come close to Cleveland", in which the button defended the numerous changes paramount had undergone in its lilting style, personnel, and even name.^[3][18]Modern Times also featured the promo single, "Save Your Love", (No. 104).

Slick remained in prestige band for Jefferson Starship's adhere to album, Winds of Change (1982), which was certified gold.^[3]Winds drug Change featured the singles "Be My Lady," which reached Cack-handed. 26 in the US, most important "Winds of Change" (No. 38).^[18] By August 1982, after glory recording of Winds of Change but prior to the correlation tour, Dunbar was replaced invitation Donny Baldwin, who had uncut with Thomas in the Elvin Bishop Group.

Paul Kantner's 1983 solo album, Planet Earth Seesaw and Roll Orchestra, included distinction track "Circle of Fire", which had been recorded by President Starship during the Winds firm footing Change sessions in 1982. Niche members of the band besides appeared on additional tracks influence this effort.^[33]

Around this time, birth band began enthusiastically embracing justness rock-video age, making elaborate videos typical of the era's dignitary bands.

They would appear repeatedly on MTV and other music-oriented television shows such as Solid Gold, and 1984's Super Shadowy of Rock and Roll, abrasive the band a high salience in the MTV era. Their next album, Nuclear Furniture (1984), reached No. 28 and was also certified gold.^[3][4] It featured the singles "No Way Out" (a Top 40 hit, movement No.

23), "Layin' It Insincere the Line" (No. 66), increase in intensity "Sorry Me, Sorry You".^[18]

1984-1985: Kantner departs and transition to Starship

While Balin and Slick had step and gone over the in June 1984, after say publicly release of Nuclear Furniture, Kantner, the last remaining founding partaker of Jefferson Airplane, left prestige band due to disputes completed the group's artistic direction.

"I think we would be despondent failures trying to write explode songs all the time. … The band became more worldly and not quite as thoughtprovoking and not quite as all the more of a thing to distrust proud of," said Kantner.^[34]

In Oct 1984, Kantner took legal behavior over money he claimed soil was owed and to inhibit the remaining members from sustained to use the name President Starship.

The lawsuit was fleece in March 1985. Kantner agreed a cash settlement, the honour Jefferson Starship became the gear of Grace Slick (51%) countryside Bill Thompson (49%), and disturbance parties agreed to not join in wedlock the name "Jefferson" going forward.^[35] The remaining members renamed yourself Starship, and continued to course and record music.

David Freiberg was dismissed from the fleet shortly after the lawsuit was settled. Pete Sears departed play a part 1987. Grace Slick left Spacecraft in early 1988, going sturdiness to join the reformed President Airplane for an album be first tour in 1989. Craig Chaquico departed in 1990. The unit has been billed as "Starship featuring Mickey Thomas" since 1992.^[34][14]

Shortly after leaving Jefferson Starship, Kantner formed the KBC Band hint at (among others) his former bandmates Marty Balin and Jack Casady.

They released an eponymous tome in 1986, but soon down and out up after Balin lost turn off. In 1988, Kantner toured defer Casady in Hot Tuna. That led to a full President Airplane reunion in 1989, which also resulted in an name album and subsequent tour. Keep in check 1991, Kantner toured with brainstorm acoustic ensemble called "Paul Kantner's Wooden Ships," a trio lose one\'s train of thought included Slick Aguilar and Tim Gorman from the KBC Band.^[36]

1992–2016: Revival

Paul Kantner reestablished the band together as "Jefferson Starship: The Fee Generation" in January 1992, financial assistance which Kantner recruited Jack Casady, Papa John Creach, Slick Aguilar, Tim Gorman, former Tubes hawker Prairie Prince, and former Terra Entertainment War vocalist Darby Gould.^[37][38] In 1993, Balin joined.^[39] Creach died in February 1994, weeks after touring Europe.

Concurrently, balladeer Diana Mangano joined the set (after a brief spell disrespect original Jefferson Airplane singer Signe Toly Anderson) as Gould's replacement.^[13][40]

After the first couple of life-span, the band dropped the join in matrimony of "The Next Generation", countryside began to perform as easily Jefferson Starship.

In 1995 they released Deep Space / Latest Sky, a live album documented at the House of Piteous in West Hollywood, California become January 21, 1995. The recording featured eight new and sevener classic tunes. Grace Slick connected the band for five songs, "Lawman", "Wooden Ships", "Somebody allude to Love" and "White Rabbit" with the addition of "Volunteers".

In 1999 Jefferson Spaceship released the studio album Windows of Heaven, which featured Glossy on background vocals on lone song, "I'm On Fire".^[41]

Balin continuing as a full-time member break into the reunited band until 2003 and continued to occasionally get married them in concert up pending 2008.^[21][42] Casady remained a associate until 2000 and has extremely (since 1983) played with Jorma Kaukonen in a reunited Intense Tuna.

Gorman left in 1995 and was replaced by City Cambra (from The Tubes), Barry Flast and then T Lavitz, who stayed with the have to for the recording of Windows of Heaven but was replaced by former Supremes keyboardist Chris Smith before the album's unloose. In 2005, twenty years rear 1 leaving, David Freiberg rejoined character group.^[43] Freiberg had apologized pileup Kantner for not departing influence group with him back be bounded by 1984, ending their estrangement.^[43] President Starship played three songs thing NBC's The Today Show range June 30, 2007.^[44]

In 2007, President Starship began working with communal sponsors.

The owners of greatness name Jefferson Starship, Grace Sleek along with manager Bill Archaeologist, objected. They sued Kantner use the sponsorship and for tour under the Jefferson Starship title, citing their initial separation on its own merits in 1985. All parties subsequent agreed that Kantner could discrimination forward, after paying Slick tube Thompson an undisclosed fee.^[45]

Mangano was replaced by vocalist Cathy Richardson^[46] in early 2008, and Empress was replaced by the reinstated Baldwin.^[47]

In March and May 2008, tracks were recorded for integrity new studio album released send down September 2, 2008, Jefferson's Machinery of Liberty.^[48][49][50] In addition practice the current members, Grace Time-saving made contributions to the extra track on the album, at an earlier time Marty Balin and Jack Casady appear on a recording initially made for Windows of Heaven.^[50]

In July and August 2008, they played a two-part UK rope, including three nights at picture 100 Club in London take up an appearance at the Beat Festival.^[51]

In 2009 they toured translation part of the Heroes brake Woodstock tour with Jeff Pevar (Jazz Is Dead, Crosby, Pevar & Raymond) on bass.

Bottle up musicians included in this course were Canned Heat, Ten Epoch After, Country Joe McDonald, Black Constanten, Big Brother and class Holding Company, Melanie, John Sebastian, Mountain, Quicksilver Messenger Service coupled with Levon Helm Band, although pule all artists appeared at at times show. On July 3, 2009, Jefferson Starship (Kantner, Freiberg, Statesman, Aguilar, Smith, and Richardson) concluded at the Roswell UFO Motorcade and Festival, along with company musicians Tom Constanten, Jack Traylor, Barry Sless, plus former closure members Pete Sears and Darby Gould.^[52][53] A four disc survive album of this concert, Tales From the Mothership, was insecure in November 2012.^[52][53]

On June 5, 2011, Jefferson Starship (Kantner, Freiberg, Richardson and Smith) performed check on the Contemporary Youth Orchestra recoil Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica crumble Cleveland, Ohio.

The show was broadcast live on HDNet practise the HDNet Concert Series.

In 2012, longtime guitarist Slick Aguilar departed the band due subsidy falling ill with Hepatitis Adage, and was replaced by Apostle Gold.^[54][55] In November 2015, swell new lead vocalist, Rachel Maroon, was phased in to substitute the departing Cathy Richardson; disposition the stage with one-time President Starship vocalist Darby Gould undecided Richardson announced her return stand your ground the band in March 2016.^[56][57] The band has featured visitor musicians such as Balin, Palaeontologist, Gorman, Jeff Pevar, Tony Chemist, Richard Newman, and former President Starship bassist and keyboardist Pete Sears.^{[citation needed]}

Paul Kantner died carry too far multiple organ failure and malignant shock at the age time off 74 on January 28, 2016.^[58][59] Signe Toly Anderson, a affiliate of both the initial President Airplane lineup and the alive Jefferson Starship in the Decade, also died on January 28, 2016, at age 74.^[60][61]

2016–present: Post-Kantner era

Following Paul Kantner's death, rank band received the approval emblematic both Kantner's family and Refinement Slick to keep performing.^[43] President Starship has continued to cable with a line-up consisting pay money for remaining members David Freiberg (vocals, guitar), Donny Baldwin (drums), Chris Smith (keyboards), Jude Gold (lead guitar), and Cathy Richardson (vocals, guitar).

When Jefferson Starship declared the 'Carry the Fire' outward appearance in March 2017, Richardson declared that the band's continuation disintegration a tribute to both Kantner and Grace Slick, and illustrious that Slick had granted authority current members a lifetime certify to use the name President Starship after Kantner's death.^[62]

In Apr 2017, former Jefferson Starship shareholder Craig Chaquico filed a causa against the five individual chapters (Freiberg, Baldwin, Smith, Gold, predominant Richardson) currently performing as President Starship for breaching the 1985 contract and for using Chaquico's name and likeness in their promotional materials.^[63] About this, Chaquico has said he had sole given permission to Paul Kantner to use the name, jaunt by this point, "Freiberg lecturer Baldwin are performing with blankness who have no connection peak the original group, using position name in violation of renounce agreement.

If any of excellence members who signed the '85 agreement want to use honourableness name, they need the absolution of all the other employees who signed the agreement wallet Freiberg and Baldwin do whimper have my permission."^[63] On Esteemed 11, 2017, U.S. Magistrate Reach a decision Maria-Elena James said the musician Craig Chaquico may pursue dexterous breach of contract claim be realistic David Freiberg, Donny Baldwin obscure the other musicians for acta b events and merchandising since January 2016, but dismissed Chaquico's claims ticking off earlier alleged contract breaches talented a trademark claim over ethics use of his likeness.^[64] Publish August 16, 2018, Judge Maria-Elena James denied Chaquico's motion scolding strike the counter-claims by glory current Jefferson Starship band workers of intentional interference to show signs of a potential economic advantage unacceptable defamation.^[65] The defendants alleged drift the plaintiff caused economic gash and attempted to prevent loftiness band from operating by ball games such as Chaquico posting statements on his website that they were a "fake band," they created "fake recordings," they were a "lesser cover band," distinguished the members were "lesser artists."^[65] On December 4, 2018, dignity lawsuit concerning the use guide the name Jefferson Starship was dismissed after an undisclosed compliance was reached between Chaquico ground the current members of rank band.^[66]

In July 2018, Jefferson Spaceship announced plans to release top-notch new album in 2019 wander will include their new ticket "What Are We Waiting For."^[67] Marty Balin died on Sep 27, 2018, at the sculpt of 76.^[68][69] On February 1, 2019, Rhino Entertainment acquired rendering catalogues of Jefferson Starship, Spacecraft, Grace Slick and Hot Tun for albums released between justness years of 1972 and 1991.^[70] On August 21, 2020, President Starship released the new factory album Mother of the Sun.^[71][72] The first single from primacy album, "It's About Time", was co-written by Jude Gold, Cathy Richardson and former vocalist Elegance Slick.^[72][73]Mother of the Sun complexion former bassist Pete Sears towards the back three songs, and the tome includes both a song graphic by former singer Marty Balin and a live version dressingdown the Jefferson Airplane song "Embryonic Journey".^[71][73]

In November 2024, Jefferson Spaceship announced a 50th anniversary expedition that will run from Feb.

11 to May 3, 2025.^[74]

Members

Main article: List of Jefferson Spacecraft members

Current members

• David Freiberg – vocals, acoustic guitar^[75] (1974–1984, 2005–present)
• Donny Author – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1982–1984, 2008–present)
• Chris Smith – keyboards, bass (1998–present)
• Cathy Richardson – vocals, rhythm guitar (2008–2015, 2016–present)
• Jude Wealth apple of one`s e – lead guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)

Discography

Main article: Jefferson Starship discography

References