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(86,005 posts)One generation got old / One generation got soul / This generation got no destination to hold.
MyOwnPeace
(16,936 posts)a very unique voice - so many of those great 60's / 70's performers are at "that age."
ghostsinthemachine
(3,569 posts)ONE OF MY FAVORITE SINGERS EVER. I grew up in NORCAL and The JA was the house band, on a par then, with the Grateful Dead. Loved his songs. Today. Caroline. Miracles. So many great songs featuring that incredible voice. I remember his first show back into the Airplane Starship scene, a free show, with The Dead in Golden Gate Park. 75. The Dead were on hiatus, but Marty's return to the fold was bigger news. "What can I tell you now, Caroline. Should I hurt your feelings, or keep on lyin'?" The girls back then, well Marty's voice got to them. Miracles was great. We played the crap out of Dragonfly and Red Octopus, let me tell ya.....
Check this out, way back.....
ghostsinthemachine
(3,569 posts)Heartfelt and eloquent words from Jorma...
Requiem For A Friend
Marty Balin
30 Jan. 1942/27 Sept. 2018
Life is a thin thread
Its a thin little hand on a hospital bed
Its all the things youve left unsaid
Life is a thin thread
Its a fine line between loving and not
Between holding it back or giving all that youve got
Feeling youre free, thinking youre caught
Its a fine line
(Thin Thread by Connie Kaldor)
I was more than saddened yesterday to hear of Marty Balins 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, Im 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.
I always felt that he was somewhat guarded
the quiet one. Perhaps thats because I was one of the noisy ones
I dont know. Its probably not for me to say. His commitment to his visions never flagged. He was always relentless in the pursuit of his goals. He wrapped those he loved in sheltering arms. He loved his family. Times come and go but his passion for his music and his art was never diminished. He was the most consummate of artists in a most renaissance way. I always felt that he perceived that each day was a blank canvas waiting to be filled.
It was fortuitous that we were able to stay connected in a loose way over the years. He and his friends graced our stage at the Fur Peace Station in Ohio and he was able to join us at the Beacon Theater in NYC the year we celebrated Jacks 70th birthday.
Very good stuff!
Coming to grips with reality is a process that starts at birth. I am always stunned when one of my friends passes and yet, it would seem that at some point we will all take that journey. Its almost like, How can this be? There are things I need to say. There were indeed things I needed to say and the fault for that lack lies on me and me alone. I dont think any of us really think that we will live forever yet often that thought lies dormant in the back of our minds. At my age my world is starting to be surrounded by passing. I will miss my friends who rest on the banks of the River Of Time and I am reminded to make the most of every moment as I am swept downstream! Martys passing reaffirms the power of love, the power of family, the power of possibilities.
So many of our brothers and sister from that time are gone. Skip Spence, Spencer Dryden, Joey Covington, Paul Kantner, Signe Anderson and now Marty have all joined the Heavenly Band as Rev. Davis would say.
We were young together. I would like to think we made a difference. As for Grace Slick, Jack Casady and myself
Now we are three
- Jorma L Kaukonen
Anyone knows me knows how much I love Jorma and Jack and Hot Tuna. Jorma is so eloquent in his thoughts on Marty.
Iggo
(47,561 posts)DinahMoeHum
(21,802 posts)More here at Rolling Stone magazine:
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jefferson-airplane-guitarist-marty-balin-dead-76-730912/
ghostsinthemachine
(3,569 posts)yonder
(9,669 posts)Pre-Starship JA were always one of my favorites while growing up. I was just listening to Crown of Creation the other day.
peace to Marty's friends and family.