Paul Kantner, a legendary guitarist and singer and a founding member of beloved band Jefferson Airplane, died Thursday of multiple organ failure.
He was 74 years old.
Kantner’s publicist confirmed the sad news to The San Francisco Chronicle, also confirming that Kanter had suffered a heart attack earlier in the week.
Between 1965 and 1972, Jefferson Airplane rose to prominence in California, specifically the Bay Area counterculture psychedelic rock scene, helping to define what became known as the “San Francisco sound.”
Along with Marty Balin, Kantner formed the group in a bar.
They evolved from a folk group into something far more unique amidst the area’s ongoing experimentation with drugs at the time.
The band’s second album, “Surrealistic Pillow,” climbed to number-three on the Billboard 200 with the help of singles “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit.
Kantner is survived by sons Gareth and Alexander and daughter China.
He is the first member of the group to pass away, with Jack Casady, Grace Slick, Balin and Jorma Kaukonen still alive and kicking.
Kantner was also a founding member of the band’s spin-off project Jefferson Starship.
We send our condolences to his family members, friends and loved ones.
