Founding Member Jefferson Airplane Marty Balin Passes Away In Tampa

TAMPA, FL. (THECOUNT) — Marty Balin, who helped in the creation of 1960’s rock band, Jefferson Airplane, passed away Thursday, according to his rep. He was 76.

The sad announcement did not include details, such as, a cause of death, however his rep did say that the musician died while being transported code 3 to a Tampa, Florida, area hospital.

Spokesman Ryan Romenesko said Balin died Thursday in Tampa, Florida, where he was on the way to the hospital. the cause of death was not immediately available. source

Balin was a patron of the 1960s “San Francisco Sound” both as founder and lead singer of the Airplane and co-owner of the club where the Airplane and other Bay Area bands performed. He was known for ballads such as “Today” and “Miracles” and such solo hits as “Hearts” and “Atlanta Lady,” according to the SFGate.

The Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Balin is the third member of the original group to die since 2016, when Paul Kantner and Signe Anderson passed away.