Jefferson Airplane epitomized the San Francisco psychedelic rock music scene of the '60s. Marty Balin and Paul Kantner started the group in 1965. By 1966, the band was set with its most notable lineup: vocalists Grace Slick and Balin, vocalist-guitarist Kantner, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, drummer Spencer Dryden and bassist Jack Casady. Airplane's second album, and the first to feature Slicks vocals, Surrealistic Pillow (1967), was a hit, and produced the definitive hippie singles "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love." In 1969 the band performed at the Woodstock and Altamont festivals, but then members became more preoccupied with side projects, such as Daukonen and Casady's Hot Tuna, which led to Airplane's unofficial retirement by 1972.

In 1974 Slick and Kantner formed Jefferson Starship (shortened to just Starship in 1984) and released a string successful albums and big hits in the '70s and '80s, including "Miracles" "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and "We Built This City." In 1996 Jefferson Airplane were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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• Former Jefferson Airplane Drummer Dies