OK there cannot be a Bill Graham/Fillmore Auditorium concert vault without Jefferson Airplane being the MAIN voice, band and inspiration for this site! Would love to see a JA/JS forum. Just saw them at a private party last weekend. These guys still bring it and Marty's voice is impeccable.

I have just created a Jefferson Airplane performer forum for you.

TChas99:

OK there cannot be a Bill Graham/Fillmore Auditorium concert vault without Jefferson Airplane being the MAIN voice, band and inspiration for this site! Would love to see a JA/JS forum. Just saw them at a private party last weekend. These guys still bring it and Marty's voice is impeccable.

Jefferson Airplane: definitely

Jefferson Starship: not so much

 

Thanks - and let the JA/JS debate begin. I think they both have merit, perhaps without JS there would not have been a resurgent interest in JA (until the Vault came along, of course!)

TChas99:

Thanks - and let the JA/JS debate begin. I think they both have merit, perhaps without JS there would not have been a resurgent interest in JA (until the Vault came along, of course!)

I dunno. I write them off because of one song. One song ruined the whole thing for me."We Built This City" -- with all the synthy drum beats and cheesy exhaultation -- that sort of thing certainly wouldn't build a city of rock and roll. That's a different city altogether. NeverEverland?

that's writing off a huge amount of great material over one song...the band was pretty much in the toilet at that time...imo...

markb:

that's writing off a huge amount of great material over one song...the band was pretty much in the toilet at that time...imo...

I need some examples of the great material... really. Going from Airplane to Starship is sorta akin to going from the all mighty Seinfeld to the terrible spin off shows George and Elaine both had. Those shows probably would've been funny and entertaining in their own right had Seinfeld not already existed.

Bearded Skull:

markb:

that's writing off a huge amount of great material over one song...the band was pretty much in the toilet at that time...imo...

I need some examples of the great material... really. Going from Airplane to Starship is sorta akin to going from the all mighty Seinfeld to the terrible spin off shows George and Elaine both had. Those shows probably would've been funny and entertaining in their own right had Seinfeld not already existed.

Harsh words Skull...

I am still a fan over what would be a modern day hit single  Somebody to Love.

That song encapulates the 60's like few others I have ever heard - and I wasn't born until 1977

Perhaps the fact that I can't name a good JS song off the top of my head reinforces your point

Great material?  Come on!!  How about most of the entire album "Surrealistic Pillow" and of course, "After Bathing at Baxter's".  The interplay between Jorma and Cassady is some of the best and most innovative in rock history.  They took blues riffs, splattered some acid all over it, and voila...

"Built this City" doesn't count in my book.  It's the third generation of Starship with Mickey Thomas  running the plane.  No, listen to the era 1965-70 and there is undeniably great writing, singing, and playing.

I saw Kantner's Jefferson Starship (not to be confused with Mickey Thomas's Starship, which he still hauls around) at the Chet Helms Memorial Stomp last year and they were great.  Kantner was the only true original as Balin skipped that gig (how could he miss a memorial for the Family Dog??) but he had David Freiberg of the Jeff Starship (and formerly of Quicksilver) and Slick Aquilar on guitar who is quite good.  The "new Grace Slick" is a wonderful singer, I think it Diana Mangano.  Kantner is a crackup, playing hippie rock star still -- chain-smoking, and holding court.  He still rocks too.

I agree completely with you and your comments. What about "Bless it's Pointed Little Head ".

When you know the talent of the band and material they have put out,not everything can be top notch, but it beats the hell out most bands muddy trail through music history.

Even the JA reunion tour in 89 was great!!!!

While I love the Airplane, for me, the high point was the series of albums from Blows Against The Empire, through Baron von Tolbooth, Sunfighter, Manhole, Dragonfly and ending with Red Octopus - oh alright, plus the magnificent St Charles. They just don't seem to be acknowledged enough.

Did any here see the JA reunion in 1989? This was after Grace Slick has said she was too old to do rock and roll (and in fact said no 45-year old should be on stage doing rock and roll!). I somehow missed it and was wondering if they could still bring it. I assume they could given Balin's voice today and the fact that Hot Tuna was still active.

NinetoThe Sky: For me, a 60's guy, the Airplane was more interesting to me than the Starship. Just listening to the two concerts here at the Vault of the Starship confirms my feeling that they became more pop-rock and commercial. But hey, they were trying to make money and the times changed. Interviews with Marty Balin from the 60's into the 70's are revealing, as Mr. Radical changed his tune....

I agree that the Airplane (in its prime) was better than the Starship is today.I wish we could erase all of the crappy Micky Thomas era, which was total B.S. However, after having seen the Starship the last six  years, I have to tell you that they are very enjoyable and usually sound good, unless Paul is really hammered on his vodka.Paul is still having a blast and always signs and talks to everyone after the show.At Va. Beach, I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Paul after everyone had left. He kindly offered me some of his Stoltzy as we sat on the edge of the stage while the equipment was being packed up.He was a really good guy who seemed interested in how long I'd been following the band and what I did for a living.Since that conversation, he remembered me and always makes a point of saying "HI" when I'm in front of the stage.He is still very serious about the music and is not just going through the motions.He is definitely one of the original spacemen which is refreshing in this age of rap and commercial garbage.Rock on!!!!!

i dont know...for me the J.A. hit their peak with Crown Of Creation. Some of the finest vocal work from Gracie, with Greasy Heart, Triad & Lather. & certainly as far as live albums go its gotta be Bless Its Pointed Little Head. some of the finest battles between Grace & Marty, vocally, that is! i stopped listening after Spitfire (1975), but continue to play the J.A. all the time!

"Surrealistic Pillow" is a JA album. I'm specifically asking about material from JS that is any good. Perhaps there was a good tune from them peppered throughout but WHY was "We Built This City" such a hit? Somebody was buying it.

I'm sure JS are plenty good live, but comparatively JA versus JS is a no brainer is my opinion.