Starship had bigger hits than Jefferson Starship which had bigger hits than Jefferson Airplane

Marty Balin or bust.

Then they should have changed their name to Stars.

And so, OP?

Just more proof that Americans have no taste, r3

Pop music sucks in most countries.

STARSHIP = STARSHIT.

Sorry, they like Heart in the mid 80's, sold out to have their music Diane Warren-ed. Slick (not Grace) sound, but not as relevant. It took Paul Kantner long enough to figure it out.

The theory of devolution, complete with through lines.

R7 I'd call it entropy.

[quote] Just more proof that Americans have no taste,

… said the world that brought you ABBA and 99 luftbalons, oh and that tackyfest, Eurovision

I love Marty Balins voice. Count on me, With your Love, miracles, are my favorites. I do like some of their JA, songs, too. I didn't like Jane and other mid 80's songs, though.

Why does any discussion of artistic schlock always circle back to ABBA (4 US Top 10 including #1 Dancing Queen) Was the hologram show that bad?

Now Starship. Ugh. It's Not Over Til It's Over? Set the fucking Night To Music? No wonder Grace slunk away in shame!

"We Built This City" is enough reason to tear the city down.

Yet it’s only the Jefferson Airplane songs that truly left a mark.

I disagree, R13. The beauty of Jefferson Starship's ballads make me so nostalgic for my Gen-X childhood that I sometimes tear up when I hear them. Balin was a truly great vocalist who is criminally underrated.

You said it beautifully R14. That's exactly how I feel.

There’s only one song that really matters

JA and JS were like two different bands. JS was more commercial, lounge-y sounding, but Marty Balin did bring something to the band with his vocals. In another DL thread, someone pointed out how Grace Slick's "background vocals" on "Miracles" overpowered the song. When I listened to it again, it was true and hilarious.

The comparison to Heart is a good one. Heart also made a major change. But I think Jefferson Starship was better than Heart v.2.

Jefferson Starship's Earth is a great album, though barely any of the songs were written by the band. Grace's Love Too Good is excellent.

Miracles by Jefferson Starship is as perfect a pop song as they come.

R13 You say "Airplane", do you are asserting that "We Built this City" had more of an impact than "White Rabbit", or "Somebody to Love"...??

🐇

R10

I actually love Jane - the opening is so powerful! It’s my favorite JA song by far but I really love Marty Balin’s voice, too. Love his swoony 70s songs.

R17

“Pretty please - with sugar on it!”

R10

oof. I meant JS.

“Hearts” from Marty Balin’s solo album was a great song.

R25 Yes it was.

Marty Balin had a good voice and I’m sure he cursed the day Grace Slick joined the Airplane. In interviews he always came across as someone who was dissatisfied with anything and everything and bitter that he wasn’t the star. Uncharacteristically, Grace took the high road and never responded to his put downs.

I have the single Jane on my old i-tunes.

Marty created Airplane. But he was bulldozed by Grace and Paul. Grace was no saint, and JA went to shit when Marty left. Then he consented to fully join Jefferson Starship and they all got richer, but Grace was an unhappy alcoholic. She could still get headlines, just not flattering ones.

I don't blame Grace for the Starship stuff. She was in her forties and her shelf life in pop music should've already expired, but she was lucky that she could still score hits at her age. She knew it was almost over for her and she took the $$$ and ran. She's lived a very comfortable retirement in Malibu for decades now. Compare that to Balin and Kanter, who were still dragging their old asses on stage because they need the $$$ for the rest of their lives. I'd much rather have Grace's life.