Rising from the ashes of another legendary San Francisco band, Jefferson Airplane, the members of Jefferson Starship past and present have been exploring the mysteries of music for hundred’s of years collectively. Next Friday, July 28th, the latest incarnation of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees will be returning to their roots with a performance at the Cornerstone in Berkeley.
Jefferson Airplane founding member Paul Kantner created Jefferson Starship with that collective spirit in mind and carried it with him throughout his life.
Kantner knew that combining powerful creative forces, personalities and talents could create something far greater than the sum of its parts. Between 1974 and 1984, Jefferson Starship released eight gold and platinum selling albums, twenty hit singles, sold out concerts worldwide and lived out legendary rock and roll escapades.
Since Kantner’s passing in early 2016 at the age of 74, original lead singer Grace Slick, who retired from singing in the 90s, has come forward to offer her encouragement and support for the band’s continuation.
Slick gave current Starship vocalist Cathy Richardson her blessings, inviting her to sing in her place with Jefferson Airplane when they received their Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammy’s this year. Richardson sang Somebody to Love with original Airplane members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, and the national telecast debuted on PBS’ Great Performances on October 14, 2016.
Today’s Jefferson Starship remains dedicated to breathing new life into the living catalog of the Jefferson legacy, going to the edge, pushing the sonic boundaries and staying true to the original spirit of the music, on and off stage.
Times may have changed, but the music remains as relevant as ever. Massive hits like White Rabbit, Somebody to Love, Volunteers, and We Built This City continue to reverberate in pop culture today through films, tv, commercials and heavy rotation on classic rock radio. The David Freiberg-penned Jane is the theme song for the hit Netflix Series Wet, Hot American Summer.
The music that defined a generation and spanned decades is alive and well and more relevant than ever in pop culture- songs such as Volunteers, White Rabbit, Wooden Ships, Somebody to Love, Today, Miracles, Count on Me, Fast Buck Freddie, Jane and Find Your Way Back continue to reverberate throughout the collective consciousness today.
Tickets and additional information for the July 28th Berkeley show are available at: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/1478843-jefferson-starship-berkeley/