JEFFERSON STARSHIP witnessed the rebirth of 60's Psychedelic Rockers JEFFERSON AIRPLANE into a completely different animal during 1974, the band transforming itself into a sleeker, less pretentious Hard Rock outfit. The catalyst for this rebirth lay in the 1970 PAUL KANTNER AND THE JEFFERSON STARSHIP science fiction loaded solo album 'Blows Against The Empire'. JEFFERSON AIRPLANE's delicate existence carried on for a few more years until, prompted by a line up schism, Kantner took onboard both the futuristic title and the core of the former band unit to build the new act. Retaining JEFFERSON AIRPLANE personnel Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, David Freiburg, violinist Papa John Creach and drummer John Barbata the new band pulled in new members guitarist Craig Chaquico and bassist Peter 'Kangaroo' Kaukonen to tour North America in early 1974. Chaquico, just nineteen when inducted into the band, is ex-STEELWIND and had also performed on JEFFERSON AIRPLANE's side project of 1973 KANTNER, SLICK & FREIBERG's album 'Baron Von Tolbooth And The Chrome Nun'. Kaukonen would depart and Pete Sears, who cited credits with ROD STEWART's band, duly substituted on bass.

JEFFERSON STARSHIP debuted with the 'Dragon Fly' album, noticeably co-credited to both Grace Slick and Paul Kantner on the album sleeve, which certainly renewed their fortunes nearly breaking the American top 10. Another JEFFERSON AIRPLANE man Marty Balin, having acted in a special guest capacity on the 'Dragonfly' track 'Caroline', was drafted on vocals and guitar that November. By 1975 the band had a huge hit single on their hands with the Balin composed 'Miracles' and a number 1 album with 'Red Octopus'.

1976's 'Spitfire', the group's first platinum outing, was another big seller going top 5 and launching hit singles 'With Your Love' and 'Count On Me'. The trend continued with 1978's 'Earth' accompanied by another single hit 'Runaway'. Despite this complete turnaround both Creach and Slick departed, as did Marty Balin, leaving JEFFERSON STARSHIP trimmed to a quartet. Another line up shuffle ensued for the Ron Nevison 'Freedom At Point Zero' album with Balin and Barbata opting out. Fresh faces were English drummer Aynsley Dunbar and former ELVIN BISHOP singer Mickey Thomas. Dunbar has of course charted an illustrious career through RETALIATION, BLUE WHALE, KGB and JOURNEY. The album, which witnessed an unaccredited return for Grace Slick, would give JEFFERSON STARSHIP their legacy with the huge anthem 'Jane'. Although reaching only number 14 in the American charts its staying power was enormous and it rapidly evolved into a radio anthem.

Kantner was stricken with a cerebral haemorrhage in 1980 but against all odds was to make a full recovery. Meantime ex-member Marty Balin contributed guitar to Mike Varney's 1980 ROCK JUSTICE band project as well as producing the album.

Once recovered Kantner re-assembled the band. JEFFERSON STARSHIP maintained stability over a further brace of albums 'Modern Times' and 1983's 'Winds Of Change' before Dunbar bailed out. His place was taken by another ELVIN BISHOP man Don Baldwin for 1984's 'Nuclear Furniture' record.

The following year Kantner quit and the remaining band members were legally unable to use the name. Shortening it to STARSHIP and moving into Poppier territory breathed in a renaissance for the act yet again as between 1985 and 1991 they achieved quite spectacular success including three number 1 singles with 'Sara' and 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now'. Kantner meantime, working with bassist Jack Casady, lead guitarist Mark Aguilar and keyboard player Tim Gorman, had forged the KBC BAND, releasing an eponymous 1986 album.

1988 found Kantner on the road guesting with HOT TUNA and GRACE SLICK. Kantner came back into the fold to resurrect JEFFERSON AIRPLANE in 1989 and later JEFFERSON STARSHIP. This new variant of the band re-introduced Marty Balin in 1992 and Diana Mangano as co-lead vocalist in October of 1993.

The 1995 live album 'Deep Space- Virgin Sky' was recorded with a line up of vocalists Marty Balin, Diana Mangano and Darby Gould, Kantner, bassist Jack Casady, former JOURNEY and THE TUBES drummer Prairie Prince, guitarist Mark Aguilar and keyboard player Tim Gorman. Grace Slick also put in a guest appearance. A new studio album, 'Windows Of Heaven', arrived in 1998. Oddly the record's twin tour de force tracks 'Blessings' and 'Out Of The Rain', included on European pressings, were left off the US version. JEFFERSON STARSHIP continues to tour, both as a full band and also as an semi-acoustic formation dubbed 'Acoustic Explorer' comprising Mangano, Kantner and Casady. The group issued no less than three live albums during 2001.

The band returned to the Summer touring circuit in Europe during 2005 performing a swathe of festival dates packaged with fellow veterans IRON BUTTERFLY, TEN YEARS AFTER and CANNED HEAT.