Farewell, Marty Balin

Susan Joy Balin, the wife of Jefferson Airplane founder Marty Balin, has just released a statement that her husband has died at the age of 76. Although the cause of death is not yet known, Balin has had health problems in recent years, which came to light when he sued Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital for malpractice last summer due to allegedly shoddy care following a heart operation in 2016. Apparently, it left him with paralyzed vocal cords and cost him a thumb and part of his tongue, though there is no word yet about whether or not his death is connected to those issues.

Marty Balin didn't just found the best band to emerge from the mid-sixties San Francisco scene; he was also one of its key voices both in front of the mic and at the writing desk. His fluttering vocals swooped out of the group's stellar three-part harmonies like a bird of prey. He composed such indisputable classics as "It's No Secret", "Plastic Fantastic Lover", "3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds", "Share a Little Joke", and "Comin' Back to Me", and co-wrote others such as "Today", "Volunteers" and "Blues from an Airplane". He also stood up to the Hells Angels at Altamont even though he probably knew he'd take a whipping for it (and he did). Marty Balin was tough, but his sensitivity was well apparent in his beautiful voice and songs. He'll be missed.