January 30, 1942: Marty Balin was born.

Marty Balin was the silky smooth vocalist who co-founded of the Jefferson Airplane and helped to define the San Francisco sound. I fell in love with Marty’s voice the first time I heard him sing “Today” from Surrealistic Pillow, the Airplane’s second album. In the seventies there were a ton of hits as the Jefferson Starship that featured his beautiful voice. My personal favorites from that era include “Caroline,” “Miracles” and “Tumblin.’”

I was a little too young and never got to see the Airplane, but my most memorable Jefferson Starship concert was a grand event in 1978 at Milwaukee County Stadium right after they released the album Earth. The opening acts were Bob Welch, Nazareth and Foreigner. It was the year after Welch released his terrific solo album French Kiss…and he was outstanding. Starship was phenomenal that night, opening with a kick-ass “Ride the Tiger.” Feels like yesterday…sorta.