BIOGRAPHY
Jefferson Starship formed in San Francisco in 1974, built by former Jefferson Airplane members Paul Kantner and Grace Slick alongside David Freiberg, Craig Chaquico, John Barbata, Pete Sears and Papa John Creach. Between 1974 and 1984 the band released eight gold or platinum studio albums and a gold compilation, with 1975's Red Octopus going double-platinum and topping the Billboard 200. Marty Balin joined in 1975, Slick and Balin exited in 1978, and Mickey Thomas stepped in as the band moved toward a more mainstream arena-rock sound that drew comparisons to Boston, Foreigner and Journey. After Kantner's 1984 departure and a 1992 relaunch as Jefferson Starship: The Next Generation, the group kept touring, and following Kantner's death continued on with Grace Slick's and his family's blessing, releasing the studio album Mother of the Sun in 2020.