R.I.P. Paul Kantner

Paul Kantner- Jefferson Starship

Now I am convinced the apocalypse is upon us. Not even a week since the death of Dio bassist, Jimmy Bain, another rock legend departs our world. Yesterday, it was rhythm guitarist Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane/Starship, who passed away from a heart attack, aged 74. Paul Kantner was one of the major reasons I was such a big Jefferson Starship fan throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. It was only after he departed the band in 1984, they ceased to be my favourite band.

Paul was not only one of the best rhythm guitarists in rock, (he was nominated for the Hugo Science Fiction Award for his efforts on Blows Against the Empire), he was also a damn good song writer. Whenever I got a new Jefferson Starship album, it was his songs that I usually liked the most on that album. His songs always tended to be more hard rock, especially during their days of mellow out rock in the late 70s. Unfortunately, many of the songs he wrote weren’t the ‘big’ singles so I doubt if they will release an album with just his songs. So what I am going to do in tribute to this great musician is to listen to all the songs he wrote or had a major hand in writing for the band and list them here if you should want to do the same.

From Dragonfly

1. Ride the Tiger
2. Caroline

From Red Octopus

1. I Want to See Another World
2. There Will Be Love

From Spitfire

1. Dance With the Dragon
2. St Charles
3. Song to the Sun: Part I- Ozymandias, Part II- Don’t Let it Rain

From Earth

1. All Night Long

From Freedom at Point Zero

1. Lightning Rose
2. Things to Come
3. Girl With the Hungry Eyes
4. Freedom at Point Zero

From Modern Times

1. Wild Eyes
2. Modern Times
3. Stairway to Cleveland

From Winds of Change

1. Out of Control
2. I Came Back From the Jaws of the Dragon

From Nuclear Furniture

1. Connection
2. Rose Goes to Yale
3. Champion

Jefferson Starship did not release an album in 1983 but Paul Kantner did put out a solo album that year, which I liked. That will be the next post.

R.I.P. Paul