Rock Musician. He was a founding member and vocalist with the rock group "Jefferson Airplane," later "Jefferson Starship." Born Martyn Jerel Buchwald in Cincinnati, Ohio, he moved with his family to the San Francisco Bay Area during his youth. He studied Art at San Francisco State University and during this period, he acted in a stage production of "The West Side Story." Shortly following this experience, he focused on a career in music and recorded the singles "Nobody But You" (1962) and "I Specialize in Love" (1962). After performing in the bands "The Town Criers" and "The Gateway Singers," he met rhythm guitarist Paul Kantner which led to the formation of "Jefferson Airplane." During the group's existence, Balin shared singing duties with Grace Slick, which led to commercial success with the hit singles: "Somebody to Love" (1967), "White Rabbit" (1967) and "Volunteers" (1969), as they performed at such historic events as the Monterey International Pop Festival (1967), Woodstock (1969) and Altamont (1969). In 1971, Balin left to form the short-lived group "Bodacious D.F." however he would return following the band's name-change to "Jefferson Starship" in 1975. Over the next three years, they enjoyed four Top 20 hits with "Miracles" (1975), "With Your Love" (1976), "Count On Me" (1978) and "Runaway" (1978). Balin provided lead vocals on each song. He departed in 1979 and went onto a successful solo career which included the Top Ten single "Hearts" (1981). In later years, he devoted his time to painting. He was inducted, along with other members of "Jefferson Airplane" into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Rock Musician. He was a founding member and vocalist with the rock group "Jefferson Airplane," later "Jefferson Starship." Born Martyn Jerel Buchwald in Cincinnati, Ohio, he moved with his family to the San Francisco Bay Area during his youth. He studied Art at San Francisco State University and during this period, he acted in a stage production of "The West Side Story." Shortly following this experience, he focused on a career in music and recorded the singles "Nobody But You" (1962) and "I Specialize in Love" (1962). After performing in the bands "The Town Criers" and "The Gateway Singers," he met rhythm guitarist Paul Kantner which led to the formation of "Jefferson Airplane." During the group's existence, Balin shared singing duties with Grace Slick, which led to commercial success with the hit singles: "Somebody to Love" (1967), "White Rabbit" (1967) and "Volunteers" (1969), as they performed at such historic events as the Monterey International Pop Festival (1967), Woodstock (1969) and Altamont (1969). In 1971, Balin left to form the short-lived group "Bodacious D.F." however he would return following the band's name-change to "Jefferson Starship" in 1975. Over the next three years, they enjoyed four Top 20 hits with "Miracles" (1975), "With Your Love" (1976), "Count On Me" (1978) and "Runaway" (1978). Balin provided lead vocals on each song. He departed in 1979 and went onto a successful solo career which included the Top Ten single "Hearts" (1981). In later years, he devoted his time to painting. He was inducted, along with other members of "Jefferson Airplane" into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Bio by: C.S.
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