Marty Balin

Marty Balin
Marty Balin Solo
Background information
Birth name	Martyn Jerel Buchwald
Born	(1942-01-30) January 30, 1942
Origin	Cincinnati, Ohio
Genres	Psychedelic rock, Folk rock, Pop rock, Acid rock
Occupations	Musician, Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Years active	1965—present
Labels	Challenge, EMI, GWE
Associated acts	Jefferson Airplane, KBC Band, Jefferson Starship

Balin performing at a concert in Hallandale, Florida

Marty Balin (born Martyn Jerel Buchwald; January 30, 1942) is an American musician. He is best known as the founder and one of the lead singers of the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane and its spin-off Jefferson Starship.

Early life

Balin was born Martyn Jerel Buchwald in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Catherine Eugenia "Jean" (née Talbot) and Joseph Buchwald. His paternal grandparents immigrated from Eastern Europe. His father was Jewish and his mother was Episcopalian. Marty attended Washington High School in San Francisco, California.

Career

In 1962, Martyn Jerel Buchwald renamed himself Marty Balin. He began recording with Challenge Records, releasing the singles "Nobody But You" and "I Specialize in Love".^[1] By 1964, Balin was leading a folk music quartet called The Town Criers with fellow band members Larry Vargo, Jan Ellickson, and Bill Collins.^[1]

Balin was the founder and one of the lead vocalists for Jefferson Airplane from 1965 to 1971.^[1]

In 1971, he departed Jefferson Airplane, and went on to produce an album for the group Grootna^[2] before joining them and recording vocals for the album Bodacious DF.^[3] In 1974, Paul Kantner asked Marty to write a song for his new Airplane offshoot group, Jefferson Starship. Together they wrote "Caroline"^[1] which appeared on the album Dragon Fly. Marty joined Jefferson Starship permanently in 1975 ^[1] and contributed to several hit songs (including "Miracles" (#12), "With Your Love" (#3), "Count on Me" (#8), and "Runaway" (#12).^[4] In 1978, Balin left the group.^[1]

In 1979, he produced a rock opera entitled Rock Justice,^[5] about a rock-star who was put in jail for failing to produce a hit for the record company based on his experiences with the lawsuits fought for years with former Airplane manager Matthew Katz.^[1] The cast recording was produced by Balin, but did not feature him in performance.

Balin continued with EMI as a solo artist, and in 1981 he released his first solo album, Balin, featuring two Top 40 hits, "Hearts" (#8) and "Atlanta Lady" (#27). This was followed in 1983 by a second solo album, Lucky, along with a Japanese-only EP produced by EMI called There's No Shoulder. Balin's contract with EMI ended shortly after.^[1]

In 1985, he teamed up with Paul Kantner and Jack Casady to form the KBC Band.^[1] After the breakup of the KBC band, a 1989 reunion album and tour with Jefferson Airplane followed.

Balin continued recording solo albums in the years following the reunion, and reunited with Kantner in the latest incarnation of Jefferson Starship.^[1]

Balin had intended to record lead vocals for two tracks for Jefferson Starship's album, Jefferson's Tree of Liberty. However, his art touring schedule conflicted with studio sessions and instead the track "Maybe for You" from the German release of Windows of Heaven was included.^[6][7]

On July 2, 2007, music publishing firm Bicycle Music, Inc. announced that it acquired an interest in songs written or performed by Balin, including hits from his days with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.^[8]

“The Founder of Jefferson Airplane tells us why “love” is his favorite four-lettered word”. “Many admirers of Marty’s song, including this author, consider him the best lovesong lyricist/songwriter in modern history, and comparable, at times, to John Lennon in the genre. It’s no surprise. Both men knew intuitively that “love is the magic word,” as Marty says in “Miracles,” when it comes to changing the world through music."^[9]

Balin’s distinctive voice, style and memorable songs include Billboard top chart hits; Miracles, Hearts, Atlanta Lady, Count On Me, Runaway, and album, radio, film and television soundtrack classics, Comin’ Back to Me, Today, and Volunteers. A variety of Marty's musical styles are represented in his concert performances; from his classic hits with Jefferson Airplane & Jefferson Starship to new songs from recent albums and current studio sessions.

Personal life

Balin has also enjoyed painting all his life. He loves doing paintings of performers he has performed with and his fantasy paintings of Le Pétomane, Paris 1896, the only performer with whom he had never performed. He has painted many of the most influential musicians of the last half of the 20th century. Marty Balin's Atelier is located at 130 King Fine Art in Saint Augustine Florida, Balin's permanent signature collection Gallery. ^[10]

Marty Balin resides in Florida and San Francisco with his wife Susan Joy Buchwald, formerly Susan Joy Finkelstein. Together they have four daughters; Balin's daughters: Jennifer Edwards and Delaney Balin, and Susan's daughters: Rebekah Geier and Moriah Geier.

Discography

Solo albums

• Balin (1981) (includes the single, "Hearts")
• Lucky (1983)
• There's No Shoulder EP (1983) (Japan only)
• Better Generation (1991)
• Freedom Flight (1997)
• Marty Balin Greatest Hits (1999) (All New Recordings)
• Marty Balin 2003 (2003)
• Nashville Sessions (2008)
• Nothin' 2 Lose (2009)
• Time For Every Season (2009)
• Blue Highway (2010)
• The Witcher (2011)

Compilation albums

• Balince (1990)
• Wish I Were (1995) (German - Beverly Records/AMMC International)
• The Aviator - Lost Treasures (2005)

with Jefferson Airplane

• Jefferson Airplane Takes Off (1966)
• Surrealistic Pillow (1967)
• After Bathing at Baxter's (1967)
• Crown of Creation (1968)
• Bless Its Pointed Little Head (1969)
• Volunteers (1969)
• Early Flight (1974)
• Jefferson Airplane (1989)

with Bodacious DF

• Bodacious DF (1973)

with Jefferson Starship

• Dragon Fly (1974)
• Red Octopus (1975)
• Spitfire (1976)
• Earth (1978)
• Deep Space / Virgin Sky (1995)
• Windows of Heaven (1999)
• Across the Sea of Suns (2001)
• Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008)

with KBC Band

• KBC Band (1986)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marty Balin.

• Official website
• Balin at the Jefferson Airplane official website
• Allmusic: Marty Balin
• Tamarkin, Jeff. Jefferson Airplane biography, Got a Revolution.com
• Fenton, Craig. Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual, Take Me To A Circus Tent.net
• Interview with Balin