Paul Kantner, Jefferson Airplane guitarist, vocalist and co-founder, died on Thursday due to multiple organ failure and septic shock following a heart attack earlier this week. He was 74, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.
Kantner's friend and publicist Cynthia Bowman confirmed the news. The musician had been suffering from a series of health problems over the past few years, including a heart attack in March 2015.
Kantner and Marty Balin formed Jefferson Airplane in 1965 after the two met at a bar called Drinking Gourd in San Francisco. The rock band went on to become "a pioneer in the Bay Area counterculture psychedelic rock scene" and delivered hits like "Somebody To Love" and "White Rabbit," according to Billboard.
Jefferson Airplane, which also comprised of Jack Casady, Grace Slick and Jorma Kaukonen, released seven albums, including 1967's "Surrealistic Pillow" and 1968's "Crown of Creation." The group performed at iconic 60s rock festivals such as Monterey, Woodstock and Altamount. The band split up in 1973.
Kantner was a founding member of the spin-off group, Starship, formed in 1974.
Kantner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Jefferson Airplane in 1996.
The Doors took to Facebook to offer their sympathies in wake of the musician's death. "Our condolences go out to the friends, family and fans of Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane on the news of his passing. Music would not be the same without the sounds of The Doors and Jefferson Airplane, which both contributed so heavily to the signature sound of the 60s and 70s. They often shared the same bill," the post read.
Kantner is survived by sons Gareth and Alexander and daughter China.
Our condolences go out to the friends, family and fans of Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane on the news of his passing....
Posted by The Doors on Thursday, 28 January 2016
