A Band Named Sue Show Jefferson Airplane is one of the greatest bands in S.F. history, contributing to the San Francisco sound, a cultural shift that resonated around the world — and also a never-ending world tour of litigation. Swipe right Scroll or click the arrow key Aug. 13, 1965  Chronicle archive Jefferson Airplane plays its first show at the Matrix, a club co-owned by lead singer Marty Balin (erroneously spelled Ballan and Balan in his first two Chronicle mentions). Miraculously, that gig ended without any legal action. Feb. 1, 1967 Jefferson Airplane in the band’s classic lineup, with guitarist Paul Kantner and singers Marty Balin and Grace Slick. Chronicle file Jefferson Airplane’s second album, “Surrealistic Pillow,” is released and becomes an all-time classic, producing a musical rallying point for the Summer of Love and, in the song “White Rabbit,” the soundtrack for just about everyone’s first psychedelic experience. June 3, 1967 San Francisco Chronicle coverage of the lawsuit against Jefferson Airplane and Bill Graham. Chronicle archives Jefferson Airplane fires manager Matthew Katz, who sues Jefferson Airplane and promoter Bill Graham for $2.5 million, beginning a legal back-and-forth that continues for decades. “If Katz is somehow proven to be correct, I will do my personal utmost to see that he is reimbursed properly,” Graham told The Chronicle. The last parts of the case were dismissed in 1997, six years after Graham’s death. Jefferson Starship plays in Golden Gate Park in the late 1970s. John Storey/The Chronicle 1974 After the breakup of Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship forms with Airplane members Kantner and Slick, keyboard and bass player David Freiberg from Quicksilver Messenger Service, and a teenage guitar wizard named Craig Chaquico. A 17-city tour ends in San Francisco at the Winterland Auditorium on April 20, 1974. Jefferson Starship plays in Golden Gate Park in the late 1970s. John Storey/The Chronicle Paul Kantner, in foreground, with original Jefferson Airplane lead singer Marty Balin in 1985. Eric Luse/The Chronicle 1984 Paul Kantner leaves Jefferson Starship over musical differences, then sues the remaining members (including Grace Slick, the mother of his daughter China) for repayment of loans, and for the right to use the band’s name. “I didn’t want to leave the band,” Kantner said a year later. “I wanted to end the band.” Paul Kantner, in foreground, with original Jefferson Airplane lead singer Marty Balin in 1985. Eric Luse/The Chronicle March 1985 Jeff Katz/RCA Lawyers announce that Paul Kantner’s lawsuit against remaining members of Jefferson Starship has ended, and as part of the settlement the band will simply be known as Starship. Starship manager Bill Thompson tells Chronicle music critic Joel Selvin “the name’s too old” and the band planned to change it anyway. Starship includes Mickey Thomas, Grace Slick, Craig Chaquico, David Freiberg and drummer Donny Baldwin. 1992 The new Jefferson Starship, with a lineup that includes Paul Kantner and Marty Balin, in the late 1990s. CMC International Records With Mickey Thomas becoming the face of Starship, Kantner launches a new Jefferson Starship, with a rotating cast that would include original Jefferson Airplane member Marty Balin, and former Jefferson Starship members David Freiberg and Donny Baldwin. “It’s definitely experimental aircraft at this point,” Kantner tells The Chronicle in 1992. 2000 John O’Hara After Paul Kantner and Marty Balin perform in several venues billed as Jefferson Airplane Volunteers (playing the songs of the 1969 album “Volunteers”), Kantner is sued by Jefferson Airplane Inc. — a corporation of which Kantner is a shareholder. This legal action is confusing, even by Jefferson Airplane lawsuit standards. 2007 Chronicle archives Grace Slick and former Jefferson Airplane manager Bill Thompson sue Paul Kantner, claiming he violated the terms of a previous legal settlement when he let Microsoft use the Jefferson Starship name to promote four free concerts. Kantner tells The Chronicle he doesn’t believe Slick would sue him, and they are on good terms. Contacted by the paper, Slick declines comment. Paul Kantner poses for The Chronicle in North Beach in 2012. Michael Macor/The Chronicle 2016 Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship founder Paul Kantner dies on Jan. 28, 2016, after enjoying the early part of the 21st century as a symbol of San Francisco. His quote “San Francisco is 49 square miles surrounded by reality” is a classic. He hangs out at a North Beach cafe, accessible to fans, and occasionally plays music until his death of organ failure and septic shock after a heart attack. Paul Kantner poses for The Chronicle in North Beach in 2012. Michael Macor/The Chronicle 2017 Craig Chaquico, former Jefferson Starship and Starship guitar player, in 2001. John O’Hara/The Chronicle A judge gives Craig Chaquico the legal right to proceed with part of a lawsuit against current members touring as Jefferson Starship — including David Freiberg and Donny Baldwin — who continue to perform after Kantner’s death. The former Jefferson Starship member claims the right to use the band’s name ended with Kantner. The band has more than a dozen dates booked before the end of 2017. Is Jefferson Airplane and Starship the same?After 1972, Jefferson Airplane effectively split into two groups. Kaukonen and Casady moved on full-time to their own band, Hot Tuna. Slick, Kantner, and the remaining members of Jefferson Airplane recruited new members and regrouped as Jefferson Starship in 1974, with Marty Balin eventually joining them.
Why did Jefferson Starship change its name?They regrouped in 1974 as Jefferson Starship until 1985 when they were renamed Starship due to personnel changes and a lawsuit. After a short hiatus in the early 1990s, the band was revived in 1992 as Starship featuring Mickey Thomas.
When did Starship change their name?According to court papers, band members agreed to retire the Jefferson Starship name in 1985 after Kantner left, and Chaquico later allowed “only Kantner” to use it upon returning. Chaquico sued after Kantner died, but use of the Jefferson Starship name continued. Known for the 1975 song “Miracles,” a No.
Who was the original Jefferson Starship?The group initially featured the five remaining members of Jefferson Airplane, Grace Slick (vocals, piano), Paul Kantner (rhythm guitar, vocals), David Freiberg (bass, keyboards, vocals), Papa John Creach (violin), and John Barbata (drums, vocals); in addition to new members Craig Chaquico on lead guitar and Peter ...
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Is Jefferson Starship the same as Starship?
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