Editing Jefferson Airplane (section)

===1967–1970: Heavier sound and improvisation===
After ''Surrealistic Pillow'', the group's music underwent a significant transformation. The band's third LP, ''[[After Bathing at Baxter's]]'', was released in December, 1967<ref name="Baxters_1967">{{AllMusic | id= after-bathing-at-baxters-mw0000201336 | title= ''After Bathing at Baxter's'' | access-date= February 7, 2024}}</ref> and eventually peaked in the charts at No. 17.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Chart History: Jefferson Airplane |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jefferson-airplane/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref> Its famous cover, drawn by artist and cartoonist [[Ron Cobb]],<ref name="Fortin 2020 f520">{{cite web | last=Fortin | first=Jacey | title=Ron Cobb, a Pioneer in Science Fiction Design, Dies at 83 | website=The New York Times | date=September 23, 2020 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/movies/ron-cobb-dies.html | access-date=February 7, 2024 | archive-date=September 23, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923191408/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/movies/ron-cobb-dies.html | url-status=live }}</ref> depicts a flying machine (constructed around an idealized version of a typical [[Haight-Ashbury]] district house) soaring above the chaos of American commercial culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wimpfheimer |first=Seth |date=September 2022 |title=Unsung {{!}} The Book of Seth {{!}} Jefferson Airplane - After Bathing At Baxter's |url=https://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/thebookofseth/jefferson-airplane-after-bathing-at-baxters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003184429/https://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/thebookofseth/jefferson-airplane-after-bathing-at-baxters |archive-date=3 October 2022 |access-date=10 December 2022 |website=[[Head Heritage]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bielen |first=Ken |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ASZHEAAAQBAJ |title=Portraying Performer Image in Record Album Cover Art |publisher=[[Lexington Books]] |year=2021 |page=91 |isbn=978-1-79364-073-4 |edition=ebook |location=Lanham, MD}}</ref> Recorded over a period of more than four months, with little input from nominal producer [[Al Schmitt]], the new album demonstrated the group's growing engagement with [[psychedelic rock]]. Although the previous LP had consisted entirely of standard-length pop songs, ''After Bathing at Baxter's'' was dominated by long multi-part suites. However, "A Small Package of Value Will Come to You, Shortly" was a [[musique concrète]]-style audio collage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2019 |title=Analysis of 1:34 of musique concrete by Spencer Dryden "A Small Package of Value Will Come to You, Shortly" Jefferson Airplane 1967 album AFTER BATHING AT BAXTER's |url=https://markweber.free-jazz.net/2019/01/12/analysis-of-134-of-musique-concrete-by-spencer-dryden-a-small-package-of-value-will-come-to-you-shortly-jefferson-airplane-1967-album-after-bathing-at-baxters/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=Mark Weber |language=en-US |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004153640/https://markweber.free-jazz.net/2019/01/12/analysis-of-134-of-musique-concrete-by-spencer-dryden-a-small-package-of-value-will-come-to-you-shortly-jefferson-airplane-1967-album-after-bathing-at-baxters/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''After Bathing at Baxter's'' also marked the ascendency of Kantner and Slick as the band's chief composers and the concurrent decline of Balin's influence and involvement. The other members, gravitating toward a harder-edged style, openly criticized Balin for his ballad-oriented compositions. Balin was also reportedly becoming increasingly disenchanted with the "star trips" and "inflated egos" generated by the band's runaway commercial success.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kostanczuk |first=Bob |date=November 21, 2016 |title=Starship powered by long history of classic rock |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/11/21/starship-powered-by-long-history-of-classic-rock/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In contrast to "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love", "The Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil" only peaked at No. 42 and "Watch Her Ride" stalled at No. 61. However, both singles reached the Top 40 in ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' magazine. None of the band's subsequent singles reached the ''Billboard'' Top 40 and several failed to chart at all. AM Top 40 radio became wary of a group that had scored a hit with a song that contained thinly veiled drug references and whose singles were often deemed too controversial, so Jefferson Airplane never again enjoyed the kind of widespread AM radio support that served as a prerequisite for top-ten hits.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ruhlmann |first=William |url=http://music.yahoo.com/ar-252705-bio--Jefferson-Airplane |title=Yahoo! Music – Jefferson Airplane biography |publisher=Music.yahoo.com |access-date=October 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905020614/http://music.yahoo.com/ar-252705-bio--Jefferson-Airplane |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |language=en-US|df=mdy-all }}</ref>

In February 1968, manager Bill Graham was fired after Slick delivered an "either he goes or I go" ultimatum.{{sfn|Tamarkin|2003}} Bill Thompson took over as permanent manager and consolidated the group's financial security, establishing Icebag Corp. to oversee the band's publishing interests and purchasing a 20-room mansion at 2400 Fulton Street across from [[Golden Gate Park]] near the Haight-Ashbury, which became the band's office and communal residence. Bill Laudner was hired as road manager.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fielder |first=Hugh |date=December 9, 2023 |title="Grace was three sheets to the wind, so Marty sang to her while holding her in an arm-lock so she couldn't get away": the epic, drunken and very crazy story of Jefferson Starship |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/jefferson-starship-band-story-grace-slick |access-date=November 12, 2024 |website=Louder |language=en |archive-date=November 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113052133/https://www.loudersound.com/features/jefferson-starship-band-story-grace-slick |url-status=live }}</ref>

In mid-1968, the group was photographed for a ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine story on "The New Rock", appearing on the cover of the June 28, 1968 edition. They undertook their first major tour of Europe in August–September 1968, playing alongside [[the Doors]] in the [[Netherlands]], [[England]], [[Germany]] and [[Sweden]].{{sfn|Tamarkin|2003}} In a notorious incident at a concert in [[Amsterdam]], while Jefferson Airplane was performing "Plastic Fantastic Lover", Doors singer [[Jim Morrison]], under the influence of a combination of drugs that fans had given him, appeared on stage and began dancing "like a [[pinwheel (toy)|pinwheel]]". As the group played faster and faster, Morrison spun around wildly until he finally fell senseless on the stage at Balin's feet. Morrison was unable to perform his set with the Doors and was hospitalized; keyboardist [[Ray Manzarek]] sang all the vocals.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=The Doors: Live in Europe 1968 |publisher=A*Vision Entertainment |date=1991}}</ref> It was also during this tour that Slick and Morrison allegedly engaged in a brief sexual relationship, described in ''Somebody to Love?,'' Slick's 1998 autobiography.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Jefferson Airplane's fourth LP, ''[[Crown of Creation]]'' (released in September 1968), was a commercial success, peaking at No. 6 on the album chart and receiving a gold certification. Slick's "[[Lather (song)|Lather]]", which opens the album, is said to be about her affair with drummer Spencer Dryden and his 30th birthday.{{sfn|Tamarkin|2003}} "[[Triad (David Crosby song)|Triad]]", a [[David Crosby]] composition,<ref name="pc41" /> had been rejected by [[the Byrds]] because they deemed its subject matter (a ''[[ménage à trois]]'') to be too "hot." Slick's searing sexual and social-commentary anthem "Greasy Heart" was released as a single in March 1968. A few tracks recorded for the LP were omitted from the album but were later included as bonus tracks, including the Slick/[[Frank Zappa]] collaboration "Would You Like a Snack?"{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Jefferson Airplane's appearance on ''[[The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour]]'' in October 1968 caused a minor stir when Slick appeared in [[blackface]] and raised her fist in the [[Black Panther Party]]'s salute after singing "Crown of Creation".{{sfn|Tamarkin|2003|pp=177-178}}

In November 1968, the band played "House at Pooneil Corners" and part of "Somebody to Love" on the roof of the Schuyler Hotel on West 45th Street in [[Manhattan]]. It was filmed for the D. A. Pennebaker film ''[[One P.M.|One P.M]]''. at the invitation of French filmmaker [[Jean-Luc Godard]]. As no permit had been obtained, the performance was stopped by the police just as occurred with [[the Beatles]]' famous [[The Beatles' rooftop concert|rooftop concert]] about two months later, as depicted in the documentary ''[[Let It Be (1970 film)|Let It Be]]'' (1970). Several people, including Balin and actor [[Rip Torn]], were arrested.{{sfn|Tamarkin|2003|pp=180-181}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adler |first=Renata |date=1968-11-20 |title=In Which a Filmmaker Discovers the Evil City |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=42}}</ref>

In February 1969, RCA released the live album ''[[Bless Its Pointed Little Head]]'', which was culled from 1968 performances at the [[Fillmore West]] on October 24–26 and the [[Fillmore East]] on November 28–30. It became the band's fourth Top 20 album, peaking at No. 17.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

[[Hot Tuna]] began during a break in Jefferson Airplane's touring schedule in early 1969 while Slick recovered from throat node surgery that left her unable to perform. Kaukonen, Casady, Kantner and drummer [[Joey Covington]] played several shows around San Francisco, including Jefferson Airplane's original club, The Matrix, before Jefferson Airplane resumed performing. Their early repertoire was derived mainly from Jefferson Airplane material that Kaukonen (the band's frontman) sang and covers of American [[ragtime]] artist [[Jelly Roll Morton]] and [[country blues]] artists such as [[Reverend Gary Davis]], [[Bo Carter]] and [[Blind Blake]]. From October 1969 to November 1970, Hot Tuna (also including Balin and, following Kantner's departure, a dedicated rhythm guitarist in their electric performances until November 1970) performed as the opening act to Jefferson Airplane with a combination of both electric and acoustic sets.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

In April 1969, sessions began for Jefferson Airplane's next album, ''[[Volunteers (Jefferson Airplane album)|Volunteers]]'', using new 16-track facilities at the [[Wally Heider]] Studio in San Francisco. This proved to be the last album by the classic lineup of the group. The album's release was delayed following the band's conflict with the label over the content of songs such as "We Can Be Together" and the planned title of the album, ''Volunteers of Amerika'', a title derived from the [[Volunteers of America]] charity, and the term was in vogue in 1969 as an ironic expression of dissatisfaction with America. After the charity group objected, the title was shortened to ''Volunteers''.{{sfn|Tamarkin|2003|p=197}}

A few days after the band headlined at a free concert in New York's [[Central Park]] in August 1969, they performed in what Slick called the "morning maniac music" slot at the [[Woodstock|Woodstock Festival]], for which the group was joined by noted British session keyboard player [[Nicky Hopkins]]. When interviewed about Woodstock by Jeff Tamarkin in 1992, Kantner recalled it with fondness but Slick and Dryden did not.<ref>
{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/music-in-wales/2009/11/18/paul-kantner-talks-woodstock-jefferson-starship-and-smashed-cars-91466-25195547/|title=Paul Kantner talks Woodstock, Jefferson Starship and smashed cars|author=Allen, Gavin|date=November 18, 2009|work=South Wales Echo|access-date=December 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013000143/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/music-in-wales/2009/11/18/paul-kantner-talks-woodstock-jefferson-starship-and-smashed-cars-91466-25195547/|archive-date=October 13, 2012|url-status=live}}
</ref> Immediately after their Woodstock performance, the band taped an appearance on ''[[The Dick Cavett Show]]'' and played a few songs. Other guests on that same episode were David Crosby, [[Stephen Stills]] and [[Joni Mitchell]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=The Dick Cavett Show: Rock Icons |publisher=Daphne Productions, Inc |date=2005}}</ref>

The new album was finally released in the United States in November 1969. It continued Jefferson Airplane's run of Top 20 LPs, peaking at No. 13 and attaining a [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] gold certification early in 1970. It was their most political venture, showcasing the group's vocal opposition to the [[Vietnam War]] and documenting their reaction to the changing political atmosphere in the United States. The best-known tracks include "[[Volunteers (song)|Volunteers]]", "We Can Be Together", "[[Good Shepherd (song)|Good Shepherd]]" and the [[Post-apocalyptic science fiction|post-apocalyptic]] "[[Wooden Ships]]", which Kantner cowrote with Crosby and Stills, and which [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young|Crosby, Stills & Nash]] also recorded on their debut album.<ref name="JA_Top_Ten_Songs">{{cite web |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/jefferson-airplane-songs/ |first=Michael |last=Gallucci |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Top 10 Jefferson Airplane Songs |work=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |access-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517091927/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/jefferson-airplane-songs/ |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |url-status=live |language=en-US |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

RCA raised objections to the phrase "up against the wall, motherfucker!" in the lyrics of Kantner's "We Can Be Together", but the group managed to prevent it from being censored on the album, pointing out that RCA had already allowed the offending word to be included on the cast album of the rock musical ''[[Hair (musical)|Hair]]''. In addition, the song had the line "in order to survive, we steal, cheat, lie, forge, fuck, hide and deal", which was also kept on the album. The group sang the song with both lines intact during their ''Dick Cavett Show'' appearance, thus becoming the first known persons to utter those words on national broadcast television.{{sfn|Tamarkin|2003|pp=194-195,207}} In the printed lyrics that accompanied the album, the line was transcribed as "up against the wall fred".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Doggett |first1=Peter |title=There's A Riot Going On |date=2007 |publisher=Canongate |page=287 |ol=23092621M}}</ref>

In December 1969, Jefferson Airplane played at the [[Altamont Free Concert]] at [[Altamont Raceway Park|Altamont Speedway]] in California.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2023 |title=What happened at the Altamont Free Festival? |first=Lucy |last=Harbron |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/what-happened-at-the-altamont-free-festival/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=Far Out Magazine |language=en |archive-date=November 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111173452/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/what-happened-at-the-altamont-free-festival/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the Grateful Dead's withdrawal from the program,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lydon |first=Michael |title=An Evening with the Grateful Dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 1970|language=en-US}}</ref> they became the only band to perform at all three of the iconic [[rock festival]]s of the 1960s—Altamont, [[Monterey International Pop Festival|Monterey Pop]] and [[Woodstock]]. Headlined by [[the Rolling Stones]], the concert was marred by violence. Balin was punched on stage during a scuffle with [[Hells Angels]] members who had been hired to act as security guards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music-illuminati.com/interview-paul-kantner/|title=Interview: Paul Kantner|date=April 25, 2010|work=Music-Illumanati|access-date=December 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113122114/http://music-illuminati.com/interview-paul-kantner/|archive-date=November 13, 2010|url-status=dead|language=en-US}}</ref> The event became notorious for the fatal stabbing of teenager [[Killing of Meredith Hunter|Meredith Hunter]] in front of the stage by Hells Angels after he drew a revolver during the Rolling Stones' performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manoucheri |first=David |date=December 7, 2023 |title=From the Archives: On Dec. 6, 1969, infamous 'free' concert at Altamont came to a tragic end |url=https://www.kcra.com/article/from-the-archives-on-dec-6-1969-infamous-free-concert-at-altamont-came-to-a-tragic-end/46057606 |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=KCRA |language=en-US |archive-date=November 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111173459/https://www.kcra.com/article/from-the-archives-on-dec-6-1969-infamous-free-concert-at-altamont-came-to-a-tragic-end/46057606 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Tamarkin|2003|pp=211,214-215}}