Marty Balin: A Love Song Type Of Guy
For a rock star who once challenged the Hell's Angels at Altamont, Marty Balin knows his way around ballads.
He can perform beautiful ballads ("Jefferson Airplane's "Today"), popular ballads (he wrote "Miracles" with the Jefferson Starship) and other people's ballads (most of the songs on his new album, "Freedom Flight," are written by Rich Landers).
Balin, who performed
Oct. 10 at the Gallery in Edwardsville, said the "Freedom Flight" sessions
came during a break in the most recent
Jefferson
Starship project.
Balin said the Starship had finished working on a still unreleased album when Landers asked him if he could record the songs on "Freedom Flight."
The sessions produced enough material for an album -- all but one written by Landers.
"There was one song I couldn't sing, so we put "Goddess" (which Balin wrote) on it," Balin said.
Waiting for the Jefferson Starship to decide if it will support its new release with a tour, Balin has been appearing in small clubs. After embarking on an acoustic tour in the spring, Balin's current nine-piece line-up includes horns and background singers.
"We're playing some funky music," Balin said. "Dancing, high-energy music. It's real rocking material."
The shows include four or five songs from "Freedom Flight," and some other original material. He does some "oldies," but really finds touring to be a good outlet for working on new material for future projects.
In the Jefferson Starship/Airplane, most of the material was written by Paul Kantner, with the other musicians competing for space on records. While that band is higher profile, playing larger venues than the solo group, Balin enjoys the freedom he has with his own group.
"I like to go out on my own. It gives me a chance to sing my old stuff. On my own I like to rock, dance and sing love songs," Balin said. "I'm a love-song type of guy. I wouldn't have a chance to do these without this band."
Balin said the current Starship line-up includes Airplane originals Kantner and bassist Jack Casady, joined by drummer Prairie Prince ("Tubes"), keyboardist T Lavitz ("Dixie Dregs"), guitarist Slick Aguilar ("Outlaws") and vocalist Diane Mangano.
With so many members of the group in their own projects, Balin said the musicians can find outlets for their music that did not exist in the early days.
Balin left the Airplane in the early 1970's, but rejoined Kantner and Grace Slick with the Starship in the mid-70's. After recording "Caroline" on the band's "Dragon Fly" album, he became a fulltime member when they recorded his "Miracles," their biggest hit.
Balin concedes there was friction in the original Airplane, but he felt it actually contributed to their musical success.
"That's true of any band," he said. ""If you don't fight, you don't have good friction. Friction can work together in its own way."
He felt the original Airplane had a talented line-up, with each player capable of standing on his or her own. And strong personalties accompanied that talent.
"When we came together, it was the seven deadly sins meeting up," Balin said.
Their last performance was in 1989 and Balin said another reunion tour is not projected.
"I don't know if Grace wants to do it again," Balin said. "She thinks she's not as beautiful as she once was. I felt she looked fine and sounded great in 1989."
Balin felt the band members have matured and grown more tolerant of each other.
"When you're older, you're more tolerant," he said. "Things don't anger you so much."
But he said the 1989 tour also showed the old camaraderie was no longer there.
"We did 36 concerts, then everyone went home and nobody talked to each other -- as usual," he said. "You never know what everyone's thinking."
Balin, who penned the Airplane anthem "Volunteers," noted the issues have changed since the Airplane broke on the music scene in the 1960's. The band was at the forefront of the anti-war movement and other causes.
Balin is still concerned about the environment, the treatment of animals and especially child abuse.
"The treatment of people -- young people --really bothers me," he said.
He felt the prevalence of computers and mass communication might help reduce some of the privacy that hides so many injustices.
"Maybe people won't be able to con each other and rip each other off," he said. "The world is shrinking and loss of privacy may be a good thing."
He also felt the exchange and sharing of ideas was positive. He recalled one trip he made to Russia. People started playing Bob Dylan records and everyone could relate.
"A great song is just universal language. It was universal communication," he said.
Balin also recalled how hard it was for the Airplane to get radio play in the early days. The band was one that benefited when FM and underground radio stations provided more musical outlets.
Balin laughs about all the different radio markets that now exist. "Can't Forget the Night," his first single from "Freedom Flight," has reached the charts, but Balin could not tell you which one.
"There are so many categories in Billboard, you don't know which chart to look for," he said. "You have to find your demographics. But great music crosses barriers."
When he formed the Jefferson Airplane, he viewed the job as a temporary gig. Now he is a member of the Rock `n' Roll Hall of Fame. But his concerns are the same.
"When I think of the Rock `n' Roll Hall of Fame, I think of Elvis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry. It's an amazing honor," Balin said. "To become a classic is so odd -- a legend in your own lifetime. People say `you're a legend.' I say, `I don't care. Give me a job.'"
Balin will be touring into 1998 unless the Starship decides to hit the road to promote its new album. Balin is ambivalent about playing small clubs with his solo band or the larger halls with the Starship.
"All that matters is the music," he said.