Marty’s wife, Susan Joy Balin, was by his side. In addition to being the co-founder and front-man of Jefferson Airplane, he was a hit songwriter of Jefferson Starship.
In 1996, Marty Balin was inducted into the coveted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Jefferson Airplane, in the “Performers” category.
Jefferson Airplane were pioneers of the psychedelic rock movement, and they hailed from San Francisco, California. Balin was also a recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016; moreover, he has earned gold and platinum records as a solo artist.
Aside from music, according to a press statement, Balin enjoyed painting. His paintings would be “vibrant, large-scale portraits” of many inspirational musicians and good friends such as Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin, among others.
Thanks to his musical contributions the Jefferson Airplane sophomore album, Surrealistic Pillow, was honored as one of Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”
As a songwriter, he wrote such Jefferson Airplane classics as “It’s No Secret,” “Today,” “Comin’ Back To Me,” “Plastic Fantastic Lover,” “Share a Little Joke,” and “Volunteers,” among many others.
He is survived by his wife Susan Joy Balin, as well as his daughters Jennifer Edwards and Delaney Balin, and stepdaughters Rebekah Geier and Moriah Geier. His wife underscored his love for his family.
The cause of his death was not mentioned in the press release.
