Co-founding member of pioneer psych-rock band Jefferson Airplane, Marty Balin, has passed away at the age of 76. 

A representative confirmed the guitarist's passing to Pitchfork, however a cause of death is yet to be announced. 

Formed in San Francisco in1965 alongside Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Signe Toly Anderson, Bob Harvey and Jerry Peloquin, the group eventually settled on its "classic" line-up - Balin, Kantner, Kaukonen and recruits Grace Slick, Jack Casady and Spencer Dryden — in 1967.

That same year, the band released their influential second album, Surrealistic Pillow, which included legendary tracks, Somebody To Love and White Rabbit


Balin formally left Jefferson Airplane in 1971, before the band split the next year. In 1975, Balin reunited with Kantner to form Jefferson Starship who released top 20 hits including Miracles and With Your Love.

Balin left Jefferson Starship in 1978 and pursued a solo career, releasing his debut LP, Balin, in 1981.

The Ohio-born songwriter went on to release 11 more studio albums, including 2016's The Greatest Love.

Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.



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