Jefferson Airplane were America’s greatest and most idiosyncratically unique rock band. From late 1966 to 1970 – roughly from Surrealistic Pillow to Marty Balin’s decision to leave the band that was his brainchild- the Airplane were an unstoppable machine, idolized by fans, respected by peers and critics as the purest distillation of San Francisco’s rock aesthetic, and were allowed their eccentricities by their blue-chip record label, RCA Victor, because they sold vast amounts of records.

For five albums –Surrealistic Pillow, After Bathing at Baxter’s, Crown of Creation, Bless Its Pointed Little Head and Volunteers – the Airplane soared higher than anyone before or since.