Marty Balin, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted lead singer and co-founder of the Jefferson Airplane died on September 27th in Tampa, Florida at age 76, according to The New York Times. No cause of death was announced.
Balin co-founded the Jefferson Airplane with the late-Paul Kantner in 1965, and during his six-year-run with the band, Balin fronted the group on such classics as “It’s No Secret,” “Volunteers,” “Today,” “3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds,” “Plastic Fantastic Lover,” and “Young Girl Sunday Blues,” among others. Balin rejoined Kantner and Grace Slick‘s Jefferson Starshipin 1975 and stayed for three years, bringing the band its only two Top 10 singles — 1975’s Top Three smash “Miracles” and 1978’s Number Eight hit “Count On Me.” Balin’s hit streak continued through 1981 with the Top 10 solo hit, “Hearts.”
In 1989, he rejoined Kantner, Slick, and Airplane bassist Jack Casady and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, for a well-received Jefferson Airplane reunion album and tour. Balin, who never stopped recording and performing, released his last album, The Greatest Love, in 2016.