Paul Kantner, founding member and lead guitarist/vocalist for Jefferson Airplane and Starship, passed away this Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the age of 74. He suffered a heart attack in March of 2015, and passed away from organ failure according to his publicist, Cynthia Bowman.
Kantner was one of the giants of the San Francisco music scene in the 1960s, with Jefferson Airplane known as a symbol of psychedelic rock and the counter-culture that paved the way for future American rock and alternative rock bands.
Kantner formed Jefferson Airplane with Marty Balin in 1965. The band released seven albums, wrote hits like "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit," and performed at Woodstock and Monterey.
We chose White Rabbit to remember Paul tonight, but some of his lyrics from "Have You Seen The Stars Tonight" are particularly poignant right now:
Have you seen the stars tonight?
Would you like to go up on A-deck and look at them with me?
Have you seen the stars tonight?
Would you like to go up for a stroll and keep me company?
Rest in peace, Paul.
