frankzappatista writes ...
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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.

Surrealistic Pillow was the first album I bought when I got home from la misión. I played the moody heck out of it. I've had it downloaded on my phone since I figured out how to do it.

Thanks to La Saucie, I'm no longer moody when I listen to it.

Mi Amor.

When I lived in Palo Alto, I hung out sometimes with Graces younger brother, Chris Wing. They grew up there. Chris was 28 then. He was unemployed and waiting for his banker dad to die so he could live off the trust fund.

He was also one of the nicest people I have known.

I attended a bass seminar taught by Jack Casady at the Fur Peace Ranch. Jorma Kaukonen owns the place. I always liked Jack's bass playing and learned a lot. Marty Balin had a great voice.

He had a lovely voice. "Miracles" marked an era for me.

Loved his songs, played Surrealistic Pillow til it wore out. A little-appreciated favorite was "Coming Back to Me"

"..The shadow in the mist could have been anyone/through an open window where no curtains hung/ I saw you, I saw you/Coming back to me...."

That's one thing about growing up in bay area, they'd all hang with you. It was great! Winterland.

Always heard the JA were nice people to hang with. I only met Jack and Jorma and they were great guys. Both like to teach people how to play which is great. A lot of professional musicians don’t.