LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29 (UPI) — Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick took to Facebook to share her sadness over former bandmate Paul Kantner’s death.
Kantner, the founding member and guitarist of Jefferson Airplane, died Thursday at age 74. He had a heart attack earlier in the week, which led to organ failures and septic shock.
Slick changed her cover photo to a picture of a young Kantner and posted, “Rest in peace my friend. Love Grace.”
Kantner started the band with Slick, Marty Balin and Jorma Kaukonen in 1965. Known for defining the “San Francisco sound,” they soon released hits like “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love.” The iconic band played Woodstock and the Altamount Festival. Kantner helped rename the band from Jefferson Airplane to Jefferson Starship in the ’70s and left the band in the ’80s.
The guitarist was born in San Francisco on March 17, 1941. He is survived by three children; sons Gareth and Alexander, and daughter China.