1980 Photo. Clem Albers. The Chronicle
Founder of the folk- rock group Jefferson Airplane, and icon of the San Francisco sound of the 1960’s, Paul Kantner is dead of a heart attack at age 74.
Most famous for songs like “Somebody to Love” and the one that scared all our parents, “White Rabbit” with lyrics like:
One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don’t do anything at all
Go ask Alice
When she’s ten feet tall
One of my favorite songs is the beautiful love song, “Today” from their album Surrealistic Pillow.
vanbytheriver 
David Bowie, Glen Frey, now Paul Kantner. January’s been a rough month for lovers of an era of rock music not likely to be repeated. Today is one of my favorite songs. Thanks for bringing back a wonderful rush! (for those of you not alive in the 70s, “rush” is hippie-speak for a strong feeling of euphoria, either drug-induced or just by life itself!)
Love your “hippie-speak” translation, Debby. Thanks for that. It has been a rough January for rock music.
It has. Fortunately, music plays on… eternally.
I am so shocked what a month!! I remember that song well!
Always loved White Rabbit, and all the controversy it stirred up, but their softer sound…some of their best, Lynn. 💔
Yes lovely!! I will be featuring you next week if that is ok Van! Let me know if you have any picture you prefer!
Very sweet, thank you, Lynn. ☺
Let me know if there is anything you want in there!
Will do, thanks. 💕
🙂
Is 2016 the year the music died? This is so sad. For me, it really began last June, with the death of Chris Squire, the long time bassist of Yes. Then Lemmy died later that year, and now, Kantner, Frey, Bowie, and Natalie Cole. wow……
Like someone said earlier…we kind of cringe to see who might be next, as they are all getting up there, Rob. Sad. 💔
Bloody hell. Well, I suppose we better get used to all of the music (not just rock) legends moving on to the next dimension.
It has sent me back to the turntable and those classic LP’s, Julie. Heartbreaking. Not an era that will be repeated, I’m afraid. Thanks. 💕
Apropos to all this, there’s a can’t-put-it-down book called Go Ask Alice, so ‘scandalous’ it’s written by Anonymous.
I cannot help but wonder what method to the madness there may be in collecting the souls of musicians here of late.
It might be just time, or the hard living they were reputed to have back in the day.☺ I remember the book…I think they made it into a movie ?
Really? Wow. I never could finish it. Too much drug use for me. Gave me nightmares.
(I am a sissy pants.)
I’d heard a bit about it…was curious. The author came forward later.
Gosh, you seem to know a lot more about this than I do! lol
We are all getting up there, Van. I’m afraid this won’t be the last one. There’s some comfort in knowing that despite the inevitable, the music lives on.
True enough, Diana. Thanks. 💕
My first live concert was Jefferson Airplane, that event holds a lot of memories.
I’m sure of those 60’s memories…I never saw them live. Thanks, Charlie. ☺
Goosebumps. Another one bites the dust. What a tough month January has been for rock and roll. Wow!! ❤
I know.💔 It will only get worse in the next few years, Amy. I’m thankful for the music they left us.
All of us, no matter who we are, all end up the same. Dust. The legacy we grew up with is slowly going on to the next world. It’s sad in many ways. The days of rock and roll were the best IMO in music history.
I agree, Amy.
Another one! Sad! January 16, what a month of saying goodbye!
So true, Erika. There’s that old song…”if there’s a rock and roll heaven, you know they have one hell of a band. “💔
Oh well, yes. Just imagine them all in a band…. yeah!!!
Damn…what’s the rush?
☺
It certainly has been a rough few weeks. Thanks. Your post inspired me to fire up iTunes this morning and take a ride on the Airplane!
☺ I get it. I’ve turned to the old LP’s quite a bit lately myself. Thanks.
This is a strange time in our lives when the people we grew up with…. entertainers, athletes…all begin leaving.
Seems like part of our lives and past go along with them.
It sure does, George, and I’m thinking we’ve only just begun. ☺
I’ve never got over Karen Carpenter’s death so these are just more sad notes on the same symphony… lovely tribute Van
Thank you, Geoff. It’s the 3rd one in recent days. I hope there fewer going forward. ☺
Very sad, once again. I had never heard that song before. It really is beautiful. He seemed to stand for peace. Thanks for posting your lovely thoughts on this. xo
My pleasure. It’s the song that first came to mind for me. ☺