Jefferson Airplane

USA, 1965–1972

San Francisco band formed in 1965, with Grace Slick, Marty Balin and Paul Kantner. Surrealistic Pillow (1967) is a central record of the Haight-Ashbury scene.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Jefferson Airplane and 1 artist Jefferson Airplane influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Jefferson Airplane?

• Joan Baez — Baez helped establish the San Francisco folk scene from which Jefferson Airplane grew.
• The Byrds — The Byrds' electric folk-rock was the direct model for Jefferson Airplane's early sound.
• Bob Dylan — Dylan's literary approach to lyrics was a key influence on Paul Kantner and Marty Balin's songwriting.

Which artists did Jefferson Airplane influence?

• Florence and the Machine — Grace Slick is the singer Welch calls her hero — the female rock voice she does claim, as against the Kate Bush comparison she does not.