| Earlier, in 1970, Kantner embodied his utopian vision of music and community with the science fiction opus Blows Against the Empire. Recorded with Slick, Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, David Crosby, Graham Nash, David Freiberg, Peter Kaukonen, Joey Covington, Harvey Brooks - Blows Against the Empire was nominated for science fiction literature's prestigious Hugo Award. To date, the album is the only recording in rock 'n roll history to have been honored so. The Blows Against the Empire collaboration was the prototype for Kantner's next ensemble, JEFFERSON STARSHIP, which he formed in 1974.Joined by Balin, Slick, lead guitarist Craig Chaquico, bassist Pete Sears and drummer John Barbata, the first incarnation of JEFFERSON STARSHIP reigned as one of the most artistically and commercially successful rock groups for a decade. Jefferson Starship's initial release, Dragonfly, spawned the rock radio staples "Ride the Tiger" and "Caroline," both penned by Kantner. The band's breakthrough album came a year later with Red Octopus, which featured the hit single "Miracles" and catapulted the group to the top of Billboard's album chart four separate times in 1975. The band's subsequent releases -- Spitfire (1976), Earth (1978), Freedom at Point Zero (1979) Winds of Change (1981) and Nuclear Furniture (1983) --generated the hits "With Your Love," "St. Charles," "Count on Me,""Runaway" and "Jane." Balin left the group in 1979 to pursue a solo career. His 1980 debut release ... |
