Jefferson Airplane

American psychedelic rock band from San Francisco, CA. During the late 1960s, the band epitomized San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury culture.

The band began in 1965 when singer Marty Balin met guitarist Paul Kantner. They began as a folk-rock group, added lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, drummer Spencer Dryden, singer Grace Slick, and bassist Bob Harvey, who was soon replaced by Jack Casady. The group was signed by RCA Victor, and their debut album charted at #128, selling 10,000 copies in the San Francisco area.

The band went through several lineup changes over the years but continued to make music and perform at iconic festivals like Woodstock and Altamont. In 1971, members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady formed Hot Tuna but remained part of Jefferson Airplane. The same year, the group formed its own label called Grunt Records.

In February 1974, Grace Slick and Paul Kantner officially formed Jefferson Starship which marked the end of the original phase of Jefferson Airplane. The band was later inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 as a Performer.