Marty Balin, a cofounder of the legendary rock band Jefferson Airplane whose soulful tenor gave the band its distinctive sound, has died at the age of 76, his representative said on Friday.
The guitarist and singer, who cofounded the psychedelic group in San Francisco in 1965, died on Thursday and his wife, Susan Joy Balin, was by his side, spokesman Ryan Romenesko said.
Jefferson Starship, the splinter band that Balin also played in for a number of years, paid tribute to their former bandmate on its official Facebook page.
Photo: AP
“With heavy hearts, we learn today of the passing of Marty Balin. He was a true talent and inspiration to many. We send his family and friends our deepest condolences,” the group said.
Balin teamed up with guitar player Paul Kantner in San Francisco and the band launched its debut album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, in 1966.
Kantner died in 2016.
The band, best known for their hits sung by vocalist Grace Slick, including Somebody to Love and White Rabbit, played at the Woodstock music festival in 1969 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Balin also wrote songs like Volunteers and Today for the band, as well as contributing to hits for Jefferson Starship, including Runaway and Miracles.
The band went through various lineups, and Balin left Jefferson Starship in 2008 to focus on a solo career.
“Marty and I shared the deepest of love — he often called it Nirvana — and it was. But really, we were all touched by his love. His presence will be within my entire being forever,” Susan Joy Balin said in a statement.
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