RIP Marty Balin

[KingsX]

The man who put Jefferson Airplane together out of very disparate elements, that somehow combined and recombined to produce enduring music.  And a wonderful ballad singer with a unique, identifiable voice.

 

from Jorma Kaukonen’s wonderful blog, Cracks in the Finish:

 

I was more than saddened yesterday to hear of Marty Balin’s passing. Jack and I were in Northampton, Mass. at the Academy Of Music and we were just getting ready to do our sound check. I knew that Marty had been sick and I knew in a general way that he had grievous issues but I did not really know what they were. Marty always kept a lot of shade on himself. I stood there in the little room in the wings, stage left… struck dumb. What can you say? We always say and hear, ‘I’m sorry for your loss,’ but what does that really mean? We say it. We have to say it and then in the confines of our hearts we try to process the sorrow and search for the words that really convey what we feel. It is an imperfect process.

 

Marty and I were young together in a time that defined our lives. Had it not been for him, my life would have taken an alternate path I cannot imagine. He and Paul Kantner came together and like plutonium halves in a reactor started a chain reaction that still affects many of us today. It was a moment of powerful synchronicity. I was part of it to be sure, but I was not a prime mover. Marty always reached for the stars and he took us along with him.

 

 

[spacemunky]

This made me realize I didn't know a lot about JA. Like most probably, I can name the hits and that's mostly it.

 

I did some reading about the history of Marty and the band. Such interesting times.

 

RIP Marty

[yorkie1999]

Grace Slick, now you're talking.

[fuchsntf]

Jesus wept....my youth is being ripped apart.....!!!

But somehow....I do wonder if the following generations had such fun....

They couldn't have...We are your parents and grand-parents!!!

[SpacedX]

If I remember rightly, he stood up to the Angles at Altamont and got decked. 

 

RIP.