Marty Balin
Encyclopedia
Marty Balin is an American
musician. He is best known as the founder and one of the lead singers of the psychedelic rock
band Jefferson Airplane
.
, Ohio
. He is mildly autistic
, and as a child he struggled with this while growing up in Ohio, and it affected him into his adulthood.
Balin was the founder and one of the lead vocalists for Jefferson Airplane from 1965 to 1971.
In 1971, he departed Jefferson Airplane and produced an album for the group Grootna before joining them and recording vocals for the album Bodacious DF
. In 1974, Paul Kantner
asked Marty to write a song for his new Airplane offshoot group, Jefferson Starship
and together they wrote "Caroline" which appeared on the album Dragon Fly
. Marty joined Jefferson Starship permanently in 1975, and contributed to several hit songs (including "Miracles" (#12), "With Your Love" (#3), "Count on Me" (#8), and "Runaway" (#12). In 1978, Balin left the group.
In 1979, he produced a rock opera entitled "Rock Justice," about a rock-star who was put in jail for failing to produce a hit for the record company based on his experiences with the lawsuits fought for years with former Airplane manager Matthew Katz. The cast recording was produced by Balin but did not feature him in performance.
Balin continued with EMI as a solo artist and in 1981, he released his first solo album, Balin
, featuring two Top 40 hits, "Hearts" (#8) and "Atlanta Lady" (#27). This was followed in 1983 by a second solo album, Lucky
, along with a Japanese-only EP produced by EMI called There's No Shoulder
. Lucky did not match the performance of Balin on the Billboard charts, and Balin's contract with EMI ended.
In 1985, he teamed up with Paul Kantner and Jack Casady to form the KBC Band
. After the breakup of the KBC band, a 1989 reunion album
and tour with Jefferson Airplane followed.
Balin continued recording solo albums in the years following the reunion and reunited with Kantner in the latest incarnation of Jefferson Starship.
Balin had intended to record lead vocals for two tracks for Jefferson Starship's album, Jefferson's Tree of Liberty
. However, his art touring schedule conflicted with studio sessions and instead the track "Maybe for You" from the German release of Windows of Heaven was included.
On July 2, 2007, music publishing firm Bicycle Music, Inc. announced that it acquired an interest in songs written or performed by Balin, including hits from his days with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.
, after choking on food. She was 57 years old. He has two daughters - Jennifer and Delaney Mariah Skye.
Compilation albums
with Jefferson Airplane
with Bodacious DF
with Jefferson Starship
with KBC Band
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician. He is best known as the founder and one of the lead singers of the psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success....
.
Early life
Martyn Buchwald was born in CincinnatiCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. He is mildly autistic
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
, and as a child he struggled with this while growing up in Ohio, and it affected him into his adulthood.
Career
In 1962, Martyn renamed himself Marty Balin and began recording with Challenge Records, releasing the singles "Nobody But You" and "I Specialize in Love". By 1963-64, Balin was leading a folk music quartet called The Town Criers, with fellow band members Larry Vargo, Jan Ellickson and Bill Collins.Balin was the founder and one of the lead vocalists for Jefferson Airplane from 1965 to 1971.
In 1971, he departed Jefferson Airplane and produced an album for the group Grootna before joining them and recording vocals for the album Bodacious DF
Bodacious DF (album)
Bodacious DF is the only release by the short-lived band of the same name. Marty Balin had left Jefferson Airplane in 1971, and after producing an album by the band Grootna in 1972, he formed the band Bodacious DF with Grootna members Vic Smith and Dewey DeGreaze . Mark Ryan, who had played with...
. In 1974, Paul Kantner
Paul Kantner
Paul Lorin Kantner is an American rock musician, known for co-founding the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane and its spin-off band Jefferson Starship.- Overview :...
asked Marty to write a song for his new Airplane offshoot group, Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship is an American rock band formed in the early 1970s. The group is a spin-off from the iconic 1960s psychedelic/folk group Jefferson Airplane. The band has undergone several major changes in personnel and genres through the years while retaining the same Jefferson Starship name...
and together they wrote "Caroline" which appeared on the album Dragon Fly
Dragon Fly
- Personnel :*Grace Slick – vocals, piano on "Be Young You"*Paul Kantner – vocals, rhythm guitar*John Barbata – drums, percussion*Craig Chaquico – lead guitar*Papa John Creach – electric violin...
. Marty joined Jefferson Starship permanently in 1975, and contributed to several hit songs (including "Miracles" (#12), "With Your Love" (#3), "Count on Me" (#8), and "Runaway" (#12). In 1978, Balin left the group.
In 1979, he produced a rock opera entitled "Rock Justice," about a rock-star who was put in jail for failing to produce a hit for the record company based on his experiences with the lawsuits fought for years with former Airplane manager Matthew Katz. The cast recording was produced by Balin but did not feature him in performance.
Balin continued with EMI as a solo artist and in 1981, he released his first solo album, Balin
Balin (album)
Balin is Marty Balin's 1981 album. Two top-40 singles were released, "Hearts" and "Atlanta Lady" . The album rose to #35 on the Billboard charts.-Side One:#"Hearts" – 4:32...
, featuring two Top 40 hits, "Hearts" (#8) and "Atlanta Lady" (#27). This was followed in 1983 by a second solo album, Lucky
Lucky (Marty Balin album)
Lucky is Marty Balin's 1983 album, and his second solo effort. The album did not fare as well as his previous one, and only rose to #156 on the Billboard charts...
, along with a Japanese-only EP produced by EMI called There's No Shoulder
There's No Shoulder
There's No Shoulder is a Marty Balin EP recorded and produced in Japan in 1983, and released exclusively for the Japanese market.-Side One:#"There's No Shoulder" – 4:40#"Regrets of the Rain" – 4:49...
. Lucky did not match the performance of Balin on the Billboard charts, and Balin's contract with EMI ended.
In 1985, he teamed up with Paul Kantner and Jack Casady to form the KBC Band
KBC Band
The KBC Band was formed in 1985 by former Jefferson Airplane members Paul Kantner , Marty Balin and Jack Casady . Other members included Keith Crossan , Tim Gorman , Mark "Slick" Aguilar and Darrell Verdusco...
. After the breakup of the KBC band, a 1989 reunion album
Jefferson Airplane (album)
Jefferson Airplane is the reunion album of San Francisco rock band Jefferson Airplane, released on Epic Records in 1989.-Overview:Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Jorma Kaukonen, and Jack Casady, who had played together on Surrealistic Pillow, After Bathing at Baxters, Crown of Creation and...
and tour with Jefferson Airplane followed.
Balin continued recording solo albums in the years following the reunion and reunited with Kantner in the latest incarnation of Jefferson Starship.
Balin had intended to record lead vocals for two tracks for Jefferson Starship's album, Jefferson's Tree of Liberty
Jefferson's Tree of Liberty
Jefferson's Tree of Liberty is a 2008 studio album by Jefferson Starship, released on September 2, 2008. It is the tenth studio album recorded by the band under the Jefferson Starship name, the first studio album since 1999's Windows of Heaven and the first on a major label by the band since 1989...
. However, his art touring schedule conflicted with studio sessions and instead the track "Maybe for You" from the German release of Windows of Heaven was included.
On July 2, 2007, music publishing firm Bicycle Music, Inc. announced that it acquired an interest in songs written or performed by Balin, including hits from his days with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.
Personal life
His wife, Karen T. Deal, died on November 19, 2010, in Temple Terrace, FloridaTemple Terrace, Florida
Temple Terrace is an incorporated city in northeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, adjacent to Tampa. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,541. It is the third and smallest incorporated municipality in Hillsborough County...
, after choking on food. She was 57 years old. He has two daughters - Jennifer and Delaney Mariah Skye.
Discography
Solo albums- BalinBalin (album)Balin is Marty Balin's 1981 album. Two top-40 singles were released, "Hearts" and "Atlanta Lady" . The album rose to #35 on the Billboard charts.-Side One:#"Hearts" – 4:32...
(1981) (includes the single, "Hearts") - LuckyLucky (Marty Balin album)Lucky is Marty Balin's 1983 album, and his second solo effort. The album did not fare as well as his previous one, and only rose to #156 on the Billboard charts...
(1983) - There's No Shoulder EPThere's No ShoulderThere's No Shoulder is a Marty Balin EP recorded and produced in Japan in 1983, and released exclusively for the Japanese market.-Side One:#"There's No Shoulder" – 4:40#"Regrets of the Rain" – 4:49...
(1983) (Japan only) - Better GenerationBetter Generation (album)Better Generation is Marty Balin's 1991 album, and his first solo album since 1983. The album was produced shortly after Jefferson Airplane's reunion album and tour, without any other members of Jefferson Airplane involved...
(1991) - Freedom Flight (1997)
- Marty Balin Greatest HitsMarty Balin Greatest HitsMarty Balin Greatest Hits is Marty Balin's 1999 album. The first half of the album contains all-new recordings of songs that Marty had previously performed with Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, KBC Band and during his solo career...
(1999) (All New Recordings) - Marty Balin 2003 (2003)
- Nashville Sessions (2008)
- Nothin' 2 Lose (2009)
- Time For Every Season (2009)
Compilation albums
- BalinceBalinceBalince is a compilation album of Marty Balin's work, including work from his solo albums and also including tracks from Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and KBC Band. The album also includes unreleased tracks from the KBC Band sessions...
(1990) - Wish I WereWish I wereWish I were is a compilation album of Marty Balin's work. Released in 1995 by Beverly Records...
(1995) (German - Beverly Records/AMMC International) - The Aviator - Lost Treasures (2005)
with Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success....
- Jefferson Airplane Takes OffJefferson Airplane Takes OffJefferson Airplane Takes Off is the debut album of San Francisco rock band Jefferson Airplane, released on RCA Victor Records in September 1966. The personnel differ from the later "classic" lineup and the music is more folk-rock than the harder psychedelic sound for which the band later became...
(1966) - Surrealistic PillowSurrealistic PillowSurrealistic Pillow is the second album by American psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane, released in February 1967.Original drummer Alexander 'Skip' Spence had left the band in mid-1966, replaced by a jazz drummer from Los Angeles, Spencer Dryden, a nephew of Charlie Chaplin. New lead vocalist...
(1967) - After Bathing at Baxter'sAfter Bathing at Baxter'sAfter Bathing at Baxter's was released in 1967 and is the third album by the San Francisco rock band Jefferson Airplane.Unlike Surrealistic Pillow, released earlier the same year, After Bathing at Baxter's is classified as psychedelic rock because it eschews the more commercial type pop songs, such...
(1967) - Crown of CreationCrown of Creation-Personnel:*Marty Balin – vocals, rhythm guitar*Grace Slick – vocals, piano, organ*Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals*Jorma Kaukonen – lead guitar, electric chicken, vocals*Spencer Dryden – drums, piano, organ, steel balls, vocals...
(1968) - Bless Its Pointed Little HeadBless Its Pointed Little HeadBless Its Pointed Little Head is a live album by Jefferson Airplane recorded at both the Fillmore East and West in the fall of 1968 and released in 1969. Five songs on the album had not appeared on any of the band's previous studio recordings. The songs that did appear on previous albums, however,...
(1969) - VolunteersVolunteers (Jefferson Airplane album)-Personnel:*Grace Slick – vocals, piano on "The Farm", "Hey Fredrick", "Eskimo Blue Day", and "Volunteers", organ on "Meadowlands", recorder on "Eskimo Blue Day"*Paul Kantner – vocals, rhythm guitar*Marty Balin – vocals, percussion...
(1969) - Early FlightEarly Flight-Personnel:*Marty Balin – guitar, vocals*Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals*Jorma Kaukonen – lead guitar, vocals*Jack Casady – bass*Grace Slick – vocals on "J. P. P. McStep B. Blues", "Go to Her", "Mexico", and "Have You Seen the Saucers", piano on "Mexico" and "Have You Seen the Saucers"*Spencer...
(1974) - Jefferson AirplaneJefferson Airplane (album)Jefferson Airplane is the reunion album of San Francisco rock band Jefferson Airplane, released on Epic Records in 1989.-Overview:Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Jorma Kaukonen, and Jack Casady, who had played together on Surrealistic Pillow, After Bathing at Baxters, Crown of Creation and...
(1989)
with Bodacious DF
- Bodacious DFBodacious DF (album)Bodacious DF is the only release by the short-lived band of the same name. Marty Balin had left Jefferson Airplane in 1971, and after producing an album by the band Grootna in 1972, he formed the band Bodacious DF with Grootna members Vic Smith and Dewey DeGreaze . Mark Ryan, who had played with...
(1973)
with Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship is an American rock band formed in the early 1970s. The group is a spin-off from the iconic 1960s psychedelic/folk group Jefferson Airplane. The band has undergone several major changes in personnel and genres through the years while retaining the same Jefferson Starship name...
- Dragon Fly (1974)
- Red OctopusRed OctopusRed Octopus is a 1975 album by Jefferson Starship. It was the best-selling album by any incarnation of Jefferson Airplane and its spin-off groups, and the single "Miracles" hit #3 on the Billboard charts, being the biggest hit single the band had until that point...
(1975) - SpitfireSpitfire (Jefferson Starship album)Spitfire is Jefferson Starship's 1976 follow-up to the chart-topping Red Octopus . This album quickly scaled the charts, spending six consecutive weeks at number three in Billboard and going platinum.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
(1976) - EarthEarth (Jefferson Starship album)-Personnel:*Grace Slick – vocals, piano on "Show Yourself"*Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals*Marty Balin – vocals*Pete Sears – bass on "Skateboard", "Runaway", and "All Nite Long", electric piano on "Love Too Good", organ on "Love Too Good", "Count on Me", "Take Your Time", "Crazy Feelin",...
(1978) - Deep Space / Virgin SkyDeep Space / Virgin Sky-Expanded Track Listing :-Personnel:*Jack Casady – basses*Marty Balin – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion*Paul Kantner – lead vocals, 12-string guitar*Prairie Prince – drums*Slick Aguilar – lead guitar*Tim Gorman – keyboards, vocals...
(1995) - Windows of HeavenWindows of Heaven (album)Windows of Heaven is Jefferson Starship's first studio album since reforming in 1992. It was first released in Germany, but the band told fans to wait for a new American remixed version. The single "Let Me Fly" was released along with the American release, but did not chart on the Billboard charts...
(1999) - Across the Sea of SunsAcross the Sea of Suns (album)-Personnel:*Paul Kantner – 12-string guitar, vocals*Marty Balin – vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion*Slick Aguilar – electric guitar, vocals*Prairie Prince – drums, percussion*Diana Mangano – vocals...
(2001) - Jefferson's Tree of LibertyJefferson's Tree of LibertyJefferson's Tree of Liberty is a 2008 studio album by Jefferson Starship, released on September 2, 2008. It is the tenth studio album recorded by the band under the Jefferson Starship name, the first studio album since 1999's Windows of Heaven and the first on a major label by the band since 1989...
(2008)
with KBC Band
KBC Band
The KBC Band was formed in 1985 by former Jefferson Airplane members Paul Kantner , Marty Balin and Jack Casady . Other members included Keith Crossan , Tim Gorman , Mark "Slick" Aguilar and Darrell Verdusco...
- KBC BandKBC Band (album)KBC Band is KBC Band's only album, featuring Paul Kantner, Marty Balin, and Jack Casady from Jefferson Airplane. The single "It's Not You, It's Not Me" was released shortly before the album's release...
(1986)
External links
- Balin at the Jefferson Airplane official website
- [ Allmusic: Marty Balin]
- Tamarkin, Jeff. Jefferson Airplane biography, Got a Revolution.com
- Fenton, Craig. Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual, Take Me To A Circus Tent.net
- Interview with Balin