Paul Kantner, founding member and guitarist of Jefferson Airplane has died aged 74.
Kantner was of course behind all Jefferson Airplane's classics like Surrealistic Pillow and Crown Of Creation but he was also responsible for some excellent solo and collaboration releases with Grace Slick and other Jefferson Airplane/Starship members, like 1970's Blows Against The Empire, 1971's Sunfighter and 1973'a Baron von Tollbooth & the Chrome Nun. His last solo studio album was Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra from 1983.
Even if you haven't dived into Kantner's non-Jefferson releases, it's not hard to appreciate his genius just from the well known albums, or even just the hits, but if you consider yourself a fan of the West Coast Psychedelic sound, you should really check out these essential records.
ZR