List of Jefferson Starship members

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Two lineups of Jefferson Starship in 1976 (top) and 2014 (bottom).

Jefferson Starship is an American hard rock band from San Francisco, California that developed in January 1974 as a successor to Jefferson Airplane.[1]

History[]

The group initially featured the five remaining members of Jefferson Airplane, Grace Slick (vocals, piano), Paul Kantner (rhythm guitar, vocals), David Freiberg (bass, keyboards, vocals), Papa John Creach (violin), and John Barbata (drums, vocals); in addition to new members Craig Chaquico on lead guitar and Peter Kaukonen (brother of Jorma Kaukonen) on bass.[1] The name "Jefferson Starship" was originally used on the co-billing of the 1970 Paul Kantner album, Blows Against the Empire, and was selected as the name for the revised band.[1] After the band's first tour, Kaukonen was replaced by Pete Sears (bass, keyboards) in June 1974.[1] Former Airplane vocalist Marty Balin joined the band in January 1975, having co-written and performed on the song "Caroline".[2] Creach left in August 1975 to start a solo career.[3] The band's lineup remained stable until June 1978, when Slick left the band after being asked to resign by Kantner, following a show in Germany in which she drank excessively and abused the crowd.[4] Balin also departed the band after the end of the touring cycle for Earth.[1] Additionally, Barbata dropped out after he was seriously injured in a car accident which left him unable to perform.[5]

The remaining members of Jefferson Starship rebuilt the band in early 1979, adding drummer Aynsley Dunbar in January and vocalist Mickey Thomas in April.[1] Slick returned to the band in 1981, after performing guest backing vocals on Modern Times.[1] Dunbar was asked by Kantner to leave in 1982, with Donny Baldwin taking his place in September.[6] Shortly after the band released Nuclear Furniture, Kantner left Jefferson Starship and later sued the remaining members of the band in October 1984 over ownership of the name; the lawsuit was settled in March 1985, with the name Jefferson Starship retired and the remaining band members continuing as simply Starship.[7]

Grace Slick, Paul Kantner and Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship, NYC, 1981 Pier 84

In January 1992, Kantner reformed Jefferson Starship with former KBC Band bandmates Mark "Slick" Aguilar (lead guitar) and Tim Gorman (keyboards, vocals), former Jefferson Airplane bandmate Jack Casady (bass) and Jefferson Starship bandmate Creach, and new members Darby Gould (vocals) and Prairie Prince (drums).[8] Diana Mangano joined the following October and initially shared vocal duties,[9] before becoming an official member of the band when Gould departed in 1995.[10] Balin also rejoined the band in 1993.[11] Creach died on February 22, 1994.[12] Kaukonen returned briefly in 1994, and Gorman left around the same time; he was replaced first by Barry Flast, then by Gary Cambra, and finally by Terry "T" Lavitz.[13] Chris Smith took over on keyboards in 1998.[14] Casady left in 2000 and was replaced until 2004 by Tom Lilly.[15]

Jefferson Starship returned with new studio album Jefferson's Tree of Liberty in 2008, which was the first by the band to feature vocalist Cathy Richardson, who had recently replaced Mangano, and the first since 1984's Nuclear Furniture to feature returning frontman Freiberg, who replaced Balin.[16] Baldwin returned to the band after the album's release, replacing the departing Prince.[17] In September 2012, Jude Gold took over from Aguilar who was forced to cease activity with the band after being diagnosed with hepatitis C.[18][19] Richardson briefly left in November 2015, with Rachel Rose taking her place,[20] before returning in March the following year.[21] On January 28, 2016, Kantner, the only constant member of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, died of multiple organ failure and septic shock following a heart attack a few days earlier.[22] Since 2016, the lineup consists of Freiberg (vocals and rhythm guitar), Donny Baldwin (drums and backing vocals), Chris Smith (bass and keyboards), Cathy Richardson (vocals and guitar), and Jude Gold (lead guitar and backing vocals).

Members[]

Current[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
David_Freiberg_1976.jpg
David Freiberg
  • 1974–1984
  • 2005–present
  • lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar (since 2005)
  • bass, keyboards, lead and backing vocals (1974–1984)
Jefferson_Starship_2014.jpg
Donny Baldwin
  • 1982–1984
  • 2008–present
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
  • Nuclear Furniture (1984)
  • Mother of the Sun (2020)
Jefferson_Starship_2014.jpg
Chris Smith 1998–present
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • piano
  • bass (since 2000)
CathyRichardson1web.jpg
Cathy Richardson
  • 2008–2015
  • 2016–present
  • lead and backing vocals
  • acoustic guitar
  • harmonica
  • Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008)
  • Mother of the Sun (2020)
Jefferson_Starship_2014.jpg
Jude Gold 2012–present lead and rhythm guitars Mother of the Sun (2020)

Former[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Paul_Kantner_Jefferson_Starship_1975.JPG
Paul Kantner
  • 1974–1984
  • 1992–2016 (until his death)
  • rhythm guitar
  • banjo
  • harmonica
  • synthesizers
  • lead and backing vocals
all Jefferson Starship releases through Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008)
Craig-Chaquico-KR-2016.jpg
Craig Chaquico 1974–1984
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals
all Jefferson Starship releases from Dragon Fly (1974) to Nuclear Furniture (1984)
Grace_Slick_ca._1967.jpg
Grace Slick
  • 1974–1978
  • 1981–1984
  • lead and backing vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
all Jefferson Starship releases from Dragon Fly (1974) to Nuclear Furniture (1984), except Freedom at Point Zero (1979)
Jefferson_Starship_1976.JPG
John Barbata 1974–1979
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
all Jefferson Starship releases from Dragon Fly (1974) to Earth (1978)
Papa_John_Creach_-_Jefferson_Starship_-_1974.jpg
Papa John Creach
  • 1974–1975
  • 1992–1994 (until his death) (guest in 1978)
violin
Peter Kaukonen
  • 1974

  • 1994–1995 (touring 2006)
bass none
1976_Jefferson_Starship.JPG
Pete Sears 1974–1984 (touring 2005, guest in 2009 and 2016)
  • bass
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
all Jefferson Starship releases from Dragon Fly (1974) to Nuclear Furniture (1984), guest appearance on Mother of the Sun (2020) - three tracks only
Jefferson_Starship_photo_1976.JPG
Marty Balin
  • 1975–1978
  • 1993–2008 (died 2018)
  • lead and backing vocals, percussion and acoustic guitar (1993–2008)
  • lead and backing vocals (1975–1978)
all Jefferson Starship releases from Dragon Fly (1974) to Earth (1978), and from Deep Space/Virgin Sky (1995) to Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008)
MickeyThomas1977.jpg
Mickey Thomas 1979–1984 lead and backing vocals all Jefferson Starship releases from Freedom at Point Zero (1979) to Nuclear Furniture (1984)
Aynsley_dunbar.jpg
Aynsley Dunbar 1979–1982
  • drums
  • percussion
Mark "Slick" Aguilar 1992–2012
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals
all Jefferson Starship releases from Deep Space/Virgin Sky (1995) to Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008)
Prairie_Prince_photo_by_Jim_Snyder.jpg
Prairie Prince 1992–2008 (guest 2008–16)
  • drums
  • percussion
Jefferson Airplane First Line-Up With Signe Anderson.jpg
Jack Casady 1992–2000 bass all Jefferson Starship releases from Deep Space/Virgin Sky (1995) to Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008), except Across the Sea of Suns (2001)
Darby_Gould_Jefferson_Starship_Sebastopol_April_11_2009.jpg
Darby Gould 1992–1995 (guest since 2000) lead and backing vocals
  • Deep Space/Virgin Sky (1995)
  • Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008) – three tracks only
Tim Gorman 1992–1994 (guest in 2005)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Deep Space/Virgin Sky (1995)
DianaManganoPerforming.jpg
Diana Mangano 1993–2008 (guest 2008–15) lead and backing vocals all Jefferson Starship releases from Windows of Heaven (1998) to Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008)
Kingfish(band).jpg
Barry Flast 1994–1995
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
none
Gary Cambra 1995–1996
T_Lavitz.jpg
Terry "T" Lavitz 1996–1998 (died 2010) Windows of Heaven (1998)
Rachel Rose 2015–2016 (guest since 2016) lead and backing vocals none

Touring[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Details
Steve Schuster 1978–1980 saxophone Schuster was a regular member of the Jefferson Starship touring lineup between 1978 and 1980.
David Farey 1978 horn instruments Farey toured alongside Schuster with Jefferson Starship after the release of Earth in 1978.
Jefferson Airplane First Line-Up With Signe Anderson.jpg
Signe Toly Anderson 1993–1994 (died 2016) backing vocals Anderson, a former member of Jefferson Airplane, made occasional guest appearances in the 1990s.
Trey Sabatelli
  • 1994–1995
  • 2004
  • drums
  • percussion
Sabatelli occasionally substituted for and performed alongside regular drummer Prairie Prince.
Bobby Vega 1998–2000 bass Vega and Huff each spent spells substituting for Jack Casady between 1998 and his 2000 departure.
Chico Huff
Tom Lilly
  • 2000–2003
  • 2007
After Casady's departure, Lilly regularly appeared on live bass at Jefferson Starship concerts.
Ferenzik pic1.jpg
John Ferenzik
  • 2002
  • 2006
  • 2008–2015
  • bass
  • keyboards
Ferenzik occasionally performed keyboards, as well as lead guitar and bass alongside regular member Chris Smith.
Michael Eisenstein
  • 2002
  • 2009
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 12-string acoustic guitar
  • backing vocals
Eisenstein substituted for Paul Kantner regularly between 2002 and 2012, when he was unable to perform.
Prof. Louie 2003 keyboards Prof. Louie, Falzarano, Kearney and the Kantners made occasional substitute and guest appearances.
Mike Falzarano rhythm guitar
Kerry Kearney
China Wing Kantner backing vocals
Alexander Kantner
  • rhythm guitar
  • bass
Linda Imperial 2005–2007 backing vocals Imperial, Traylor and Morley each performed with Jefferson Starship at select shows during the 2000s.
Jack Traylor 2005
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
Tony Morley 2006–2016 drums
Anne Harris Liri Blues 2010.jpg
Anne Harris 2008–2016 violin Harris has made regular live appearances with Jefferson Starship on violin since 2008.

Timeline[]

Lineups[]

Period Members Releases
January – June 1974 none – live performances only
June 1974 – January 1975
  • Grace Slick – vocals, piano
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Barbata – drums, backing vocals
  • Papa John Creach – violin, backing vocals
January – August 1975
  • Marty Balin – vocals
  • Grace Slick – vocals, piano
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Barbata – drums, backing vocals
  • Papa John Creach – violin, backing vocals
August 1975 – June 1978
  • Marty Balin – vocals
  • Grace Slick – vocals, piano
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Barbata – drums, backing vocals
June – October 1978
  • Marty Balin – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Barbata – drums, backing vocals
none – live performances and single "Light the Sky on Fire" only
October 1978 - January 1979
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Barbata – drums, backing vocals
none
January – April 1979
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Aynsley Dunbar – drums, percussion
none – studio rehearsals only
April 1979 – early 1981
  • Mickey Thomas – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Aynsley Dunbar – drums, percussion
Early 1981 – September 1982
  • Mickey Thomas – vocals
  • Grace Slick – vocals, piano
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Aynsley Dunbar – drums, percussion
September 1982 – June 1984
  • Mickey Thomas – vocals
  • Grace Slick – vocals, piano
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
Band inactive June 1984 – January 1992
January 1992 – 1993 none – live performances only
1993 – February 1994
  • Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Darby Gould – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jack Casady – bass, guitar
  • Tim Gorman – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
  • Papa John Creach – violin, backing vocals
February 1994 – mid-1995
  • Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Darby Gould – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jack Casady – bass, guitar
  • Tim Gorman – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
1995
  • Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Diana Mangano – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jack Casady – bass, guitar
  • Barry Flast – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
none – live performances only
1995–1996
  • Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Diana Mangano – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jack Casady – bass, guitar
  • Gary Cambra – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
1996–1998
  • Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Diana Mangano – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jack Casady – bass, guitar
  • T Lavitz – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
1998–2000
  • Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Diana Mangano – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jack Casady – bass, guitar
  • Chris Smith – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
2000–2005
  • Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Diana Mangano – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Smith – keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
2005–2008
  • Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Diana Mangano – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Freiberg – acoustic guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Smith – keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
2008–2012
  • David Freiberg – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Cathy Richardson – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Slick Aguilar – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Smith – keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
none – live performances only
September 2012 – November 2015
  • David Freiberg – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Cathy Richardson – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jude Gold – lead guitar
  • Chris Smith – keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
November 2015 – January 2016
  • David Freiberg – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Rachel Rose – vocals
  • Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jude Gold – lead guitar
  • Chris Smith – keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
January – March 2016
  • David Freiberg – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Rachel Rose – vocals
  • Jude Gold – lead guitar
  • Chris Smith – keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
March 2016 – present
  • David Freiberg – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Cathy Richardson – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Jude Gold – lead guitar
  • Chris Smith – keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
  • Mother of the Sun (2020)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Ruhlmann, William. "Jefferson Starship: Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  2. ^ DeRiso, Nick (June 13, 2015). "Revisiting Jefferson Starship's Zenith, 'Red Octopus'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Archived from the original on July 26, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  3. ^ Helander, Brock (2001). The Rockin' 60s: The People Who Made the Music. New York City, New York: Schirmer Trade Books. p. 387. ISBN 978-0825672200. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  4. ^ Swanson, Dave (June 20, 2013). "35 Years Ago: Grace Slick Quits Jefferson Starship After Drunken Germany Show". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  5. ^ Reardon, Tom (June 3, 2014). "Why Johny Barbata Chose to Drum for CSN&Y Instead of the Eagles". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  6. ^ Tamarkin, Jeff (2003). Got a Revolution!: The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane. New York City, New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 318. ISBN 978-0671034047. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  7. ^ Tamarkin, Jeff (2003). Got a Revolution!: The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane. New York City, New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 329–330. ISBN 978-0671034047. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  8. ^ Graff, Gary (May 17, 1992). "Paul Kantner Back At The Helm Of Jefferson Starship". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  9. ^ Fenton 2006, p. 458
  10. ^ Fenton 2006, p. 424
  11. ^ Holden, Stephen (July 3, 1993). "Review/Pop; Jefferson Starship, Reassembled for the 90's". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  12. ^ "Papa John Creach, A Violinist Versed In Pop, Dies at 76". The New York Times. February 23, 1994. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  13. ^ Fenton 2008, pp. 113, 124–125, 128, 142, 144
  14. ^ Fenton 2008, p. 161
  15. ^ Fenton 2008, pp. 145–146
  16. ^ Schwartz, Greg M. (August 7, 2008). "Jefferson Starship + The Zombies". PopMatters. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  17. ^ "Donny Baldwin". Drumchannel.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  18. ^ "Jefferson Starship's Mark "Slick" Aguilar In Need of a Liver Transplant". Jambands.com. Relix Media Group. November 7, 2011. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  19. ^ "Jude Tours US and Abroad with Jefferson Starship". Jude Gold. September 2012. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  20. ^ Sharp, Keith (January 29, 2016). "R.I.P. Paul Kantner". The Music Express Canada. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  21. ^ Richardson, Cathy. "I'm back! And better than ever..." Cash Rich Records. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  22. ^ Vaziri, Aidin (January 29, 2016). "Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kantner dies at 74". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.

Bibliography[]

External links[]

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