Song:Miracles
Album:Playlist: The Very Best Of Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship was a continuation of the legendary 60s psychedelic band Jefferson Airplane. Miracles was their biggest hit in 1975. With personnel changes, the band changed in the 80s and was forced to change their name to Starship. Marty Balin left Jefferson Airplane in 1970 and Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady formed Hot Tuna. Meanwhile, Paul Kantner recorded the solo album Blows Against The Empire which he unofficially called Jefferson Starship. Then in 1971, Kantner and Grace Slick released the album Sunfighter. When it became clear that Kaukonen and Casady were not returning, Kantner wanted to keep Jefferson Airplane together and he recruited former Quicksilver Messenger Service bassist David Freiberg. As Kantner, Slick & Freiberg, they recorded the 1973 album Baron von Tollbooth & The Chrome Nun. Slick released a solo album Manhole in 1974. Kantner added teen guitarist Craig Chaquico, who had played on Sunfighter, violinist Papa John Creach, who had played with Hot Tuna, drummer John Barbata of The Turtles and Jorma Kaukonen's brother Peter. He was replaced by Pete Sears who played on Slick's solo album. Freiberg was moved to keyboards. For legal reasons, the name Jefferson Airplane could not be used. So Kantner settled on Jefferson Starship. Their 1974 debut album Dragon Fly was certified Gold but there was no hit single. Kantner and Marty Balin co-wrote the song Caroline for that album and Balin was guest vocalist. But eventually Balin agreed to return and wrote several songs on the 1975 album Red Octopus. He also sang lead on Miracles which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. At this point, Jefferson Starship was more successful that Jefferson Airplane. But they started to have problems. Creach left. Balin was reluctant to tour and Slick was having alcohol problems. They both left in 1978. Mickey Thomas replaced Slick and when Barbata was injured in a car crash, he was replaced by Aynsley Dunbar. The group had moderate success in this period. Grace Slick returned to the band and Paul Kantner left in 1984. Kantner owned the name Jefferson Starship so the band name was changed to Starship. Except for Slick, the band was completely different anyway. Starship had two number one hits. Slick left in 1988 and retired. Mickey Thomas continued Starship but they obviously weren't as successful. Kantner reformed Jefferson Starship in 1992 and has led versions of the band ever since. They last recorded in 2008. You can get the Jefferson Starship hits on this budget comp. Here's a video for Miracles by Jefferson Starship.
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