Grace Slick

USA, 1965–1990

Singer born Grace Wing in 1939. She led The Great Society from 1965, then joined Jefferson Airplane in 1966 replacing Signe Anderson, bringing 'White Rabbit' and 'Somebody to Love' with her. Her low, declamatory voice defined San Francisco psychedelia. She retired from music in 1990 and has painted since.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Grace Slick and 1 artist Grace Slick influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Grace Slick?

• Maurice Ravel — Slick built 'White Rabbit' on the shape of Ravel's Bolero: one long crescendo over a repeating Spanish march figure, menace accumulating by repetition rather than by any change of key.
• Miles Davis — The Spanish cast of 'White Rabbit' came out of Sketches of Spain, the Davis and Gil Evans record Slick played over and over while writing the song.

Which artists did Grace Slick influence?

• Yvonne Elliman — Elliman modelled her singing on Grace Slick as a teenager in Hawaii, copying her voice down to its hard, rapid vibrato.