On This Day: Grace Slick turns 87
Born October 30, 1939, Grace Slick turns 87. Revisit the voice and the guitar-rich psychedelic world of Jefferson Airplane.
Editorial illustration. Image credit and reference details below.
Grace Slick was born on October 30, 1939. Today marks her 87th birthday, and a chance to revisit her place in Jefferson Airplane’s guitar-rich psychedelic world.
A voice inside an adventurous band
Slick’s voice, keyboards, flute and recorder were part of Jefferson Airplane’s musical palette. Jefferson Airplane’s sound brought her voice into a band that also included guitarists Jorma Kaukonen and Paul Kantner and bassist Jack Casady.
Surrealistic Pillow, released in 1967, included “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit.” For a birthday listening session, those familiar starting points can lead into the band’s less compact arrangements rather than ending the journey.
A listening prompt for guitarists
Try following the relationship between a vocal phrase and the instruments around it. Where does the band leave room, and where does it answer? Slick’s birthday is a fitting occasion to return to the songs with fresh attention.
Want to dig deeper into Jorma Kaukonen’s guitars and gear? Read our full guide.
Editorial illustration of Grace Slick and Jorma Kaukonen, with appearances and instrument references from 1970; not a photograph of a particular performance. Reference photographs: Noord-Hollands Archief / Fotoburo de Boer, Grace Slick and Jorma Kaukonen, made available under CC0 1.0. New illustrated composition, poses and lighting.
Image credits
- Top image: Editorial illustration. Image credit and reference details below.
