Marty Balin, peace warrior and co-founder of The Jefferson Airplane, has passed.
While today Balin is one of the lesser recognized frontmen of the 1960s supergroups (mainly because he shared billing with inimitable frontwoman Grace Slick) he remains one of the most versatile voices in rock and roll. While Freddy Mercury is recognized as having the greatest vocal range in rock, one could argue that no singer in rock had greater emotional range than Balin. You can hear the fierce Balin in 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds and Volunteers, the high-energy pop Balin in It’s No Secret, and the tender balladeer Balin in Today and Miracles (two of the more underrated love songs in the rock era imo; was there a greater love song in the 70s than Miracles???). He wrote/co-wrote 5 songs from Surrealistic Pillow, an album in heavy rotation during the Summer of Love in 1967.
Marty performing his scathing anti-war call-to-arms Volunteers at Woodstock
Performing It’s No Secret at the Fillmore in San Francisco pre-Grace Slick
Today from Surrealistic Pillow
Miracles
3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds at Woodstock
Thanks for all the great vibes Marty, rest well
UPDATE: Thank you all for reclisting and all the great comments. It’s great to see everyone paying homage to this artist’s artist