The Airplane Family

— THE AIRPLANE FAMILY reunites original & legacy members of Jefferson Starship, Grateful Dead, Hot Tuna, Bob Weir’s RatDog, David Crosby Band, New Riders & JGB to perform the 50th Anniversary of Paul Kantner’s Jefferson Starship masterpiece of Science Fiction & Rock & Roll, “Blows Against the Empire” – the first Rock Music album nominated for literary Science Fiction’s prestigious Hugo Award. Originally planned for Spring 2020, worldwide passionate fans of this music and recording have had their wishes granted as we all look forward, following a year and a half of waiting.

“Blows Against the Empire” marked the debut of the Jefferson Starship moniker, though not of the band itself, since it predates the actual formation of the Jefferson Starship band by four years. The album was recorded at Pacific High Recording Studios and Wally Heider Recording Studios in San Francisco. The result derives from a period of cross-collaboration during late 1969 through 1971 by a collection of musicians from various San Francisco bands including Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – recording at the same time in the city. For “Blows Against the Empire,” Paul Kantner enlisted Grace Slick, Peter Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Joey Covington, David Crosby, Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Graham Nash & others. He described Jefferson Starship as a ‘loose coalition of musicians that would get together from time to time’ – a protocol upon which THE AIRPLANE FAMILY was organized.

THE AIRPLANE FAMILY will perform the 50th Anniversary of “Blows” in its entirety for the first time ever, anywhere. LIVE DEAD ’69 with whom the band shares key musicians shall perform a set of classic Grateful Dead to support, with an encore set of classic Jefferson Airplane. Peter Kaukonen, original member of both Jefferson Starship & Hot Tuna, who also joined Jefferson Airplane for their 1989 tour with his brother Jorma, brings his unique optic as an integral part of the original recording for ‘Blows Against the Empire.’ Also appearing are long time Paul Kantner (from KBC through 2016 Jefferson Starship) lead guitarist Slick Aguilar (who also played with Crosby in the 1980s), guitarist/vocalist Mike Falzarano (Hot Tuna & New Riders), original Grateful Dead pianist Tom Constanten and his band Live Dead 69 featuring RatDog & Phil Lesh guitarist Mark Karan, drummer Pete Lavazzoli who currently performs with Oteil Burbidge and with JGB for 12 years, shall also appear. Acclaimed female vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Clare Maloney will add the Grace Slick vocals. Paul Avrutin from Dead On Live & Rainbow Full of Sound plays bass.