Jefferson Starship

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Even after Jack and Jorma left, they could sometimes still kick ass.

Starship.jpg

They were a rock 'n roll band, and a solid one.

I actually liked them when they re-emerged with Mickey Thomas & Grace with Aynsley Dunbar on drums.

That band may have been a bit poppy, but they had some serious kick live.

They built that city

 

 

 

 

ugh

If you want to hear some killer Papa John Creech, put on Git Fiddler from Red Octopus.  The early Starship was still great rock n roll.  

Or just put on a papa john album?

I recommend Filthy

In that photo is Pete and his 1963 Jazz bass, which was stolen during a riot in Germany along with this Dragon bass (later recovered) made by Tom Lieber.

Pete

“My discontent with being a member of STARSHIP had been growing for some time before I left the band in 1987. The original version of JEFFERSON STARSHIP broke up in 1978, after we lost all our equipment during a riot in Germany, and Grace Slick left the band – for one album; she came back after “Freedom At Point Zero”. Although the band’s sound changed to a harder rock, the first few years were still pretty good. We at least recorded basic tracks with drums, bass, keyboards and rhythm guitar – it was still a real band in the studio, unlike later when another producer recorded drums and bass on a sequencer. We were still a good live band in the early Eighties. But gradually things morphed into a more contrived pop sound, thanks to record company A&R pressure, and the band’s growing mindset in that direction. It got so bad that members of the band would sit around with A&R men and listen to cassette tapes of potential hit songs. A decision was made to only record outside material suited for AM radio play, which was a major departure from the way the band usually worked.”

Filthy indeed! That got many rotations on the old Technics SL-1200.  Of course, there is always Johnny's Other from Tuna's second album recorded at the old Chateau Liberte.  And of course, the smoking overlooked Jorma & Jack workout from Jefferson Airplane's Bark album--the song Wild Turkey.  Papa lights this one up.

Seen many incarnations of the Starship, they never ever disappointed. Craig was a smoker. A few hot ones I remember, Springfield Civic Center, The Sting, Terryville Fairgrounds. Papa John is the ultimate master of funk'n groove jam.


Paul Kantner-Blows-Against-The-Empire ~ LP_0.jpg

 


I just want to clarify one thing. While I've heard a generation of people slag  on the Jefferson Starship because of that one cheesy Top 40 hit, 'We Built This City", please remember Paul Kantner was not in the band during that era! The guy founded Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, (not 'Starship'), he married Grace Slick, and is the only musician ever to be nominated for a Victor Hugo Science-Fiction Literary Award for his masterpiece LP 'Blows Against The Empire'  So enough with 'We Built This City', Okay?

 

PK generously spent 90 minutes on the phone with the Morning Dew Crew . If anybody would like to hear it, here are the podcast links:

Morning Dew (WBAI) - 11.6.11~ Paul Kantner Interview-Pt1:

https://www.mixcloud.com/Morning_Dew/morning-dew11611-paul-kantner-interview-pt1/

Morning Dew (WBAI) -11.6.11~ Paul Kantner Interview-Pt2:

https://www.mixcloud.com/Morning_Dew/morning-dew11611-paul-kantner-interview-pt2/

Morning Dew Radio Show (WBAI) ~ Paul Kantner Interview - Pt 3:

https://www.mixcloud.com/Morning_Dew/morning-dew-radio-show-wbai-paul-kantner-interview-pt-3/

 

Enjoy!

They seemed to have lost their way and tried too hard to follow the prevailing trends in music by the time the 80's came around.  I thought they turned into a sad joke of their past selves, and became part of the excessive lifestyle and establishment they had used to rail against.  I had hope when the Airplane reformed, but the magic was all gone.

I disagree Dave, as far as the '89 Airplane Reunion Tour. I thought they recaptured some of the magic. But, then  I was not there in the 60's or 70's....

But after that shitshow in the 80's was over , Paul rejoined the fold and got Jack Casady & Papa John & Marty  Balin back and  I saw a lot of great shows in CA , with amazing vocal Divas like Darby Gould & Diana Mangano.  .Worked for me...

I'll never find another girl like you, for happy endings it takes two
We're fire and ice, the dream won't come true

Awesome song!

But after that shitshow in the 80's was over , Paul rejoined the fold and got Jack Casady & Papa John & Marty  Balin back and  I saw a lot of great shows in CA , with amazing vocal Divas like Darby Gould & Diana Mangano.  .Worked for me...

I totally agree