R.I.P. Paul Kantner

The classic rockers keep dropping like flies.

Nothing very classic about Kantner. There… I said it!



Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

[postpunkmonk.com]
For further rumination on the Fresh New Sound of Yesterday®

By most current, conventional standards of "classic" -- which, as Reno explained in an earlier post, boil down to "stuff I heard/watched a lot as a kid" -- Kantner's music is classic, but not in a good or flattering way. Most people who know about Jefferson Airplane at all know exactly two of the band's songs. That's too bad, because the Airplane had a lot more good songs in their repertoire. The follow-up band, Jefferson Starship, was much more commercially successful, because Kantner et al had given up their efforts to break new ground and decided to purvey fake-rock. That's the music most listeners remember: the shit that gets rotated at the classic-rock stations alongside REO, Journey and Styx. Rest in peace, Paul. The proles don't know, but the music nerds understand.

I like grooving to some Starship numbers, especially Jane. It won't hurt to throw in some Airplane and Starship in your next playlist, Del. However, you don't have to get knee deep in the hoopla.



Post Edited (01-29-16 15:12)

So, Jefferson Starship had some OK moments, but Starship was an abomination. Hard to believe the same woman who sang "White Rabbit" was the same who sang "We Built This City." I have absolutely zero love for Airplane, but the contrast is startling.

At least Grace Slick had the class to bow out when she realized it was over. I'll grant her that much!



Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

[postpunkmonk.com]
For further rumination on the Fresh New Sound of Yesterday®

In fairness to Kantner - he dropped out of the band and that is when they became 'Starship', courtesy of his lawsuit about the name Jefferson Starship. Apparently, only if he was in the band could it be called Jefferson Starship and if Grace Slick was in the band, could it be called Jefferson Airplane.

After all the original members of the Mr. T Experience left, leaving only Dr. Frank, with the new members, they called themselves the MTX "Starship"

Perhaps Jimi Hendrix would've fronted the "Jimi Hendrix Starship" if he'd lived long enough.