Jefferson Starship founding member David Freiberg discusses band's staying power, lineup changes

Outside of the Rolling Stones, it’s difficult to think of a single rock band that’s kept going consistently since the mid-1960s. But Jefferson Starship, originally known as Jefferson Airplane, is one of those bands.

The group has just released its first new studio album in 12 years, “Mother of the Sun,” and is performing at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg on Thursday night.

The band released its first album, “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off,” in 1966. It featured Signe Toly Anderson as the original female lead vocalist. Anderson left the band after that first album and was replaced by the legendary Grace Slick. And the rest is history.

With Slick fronting Jefferson Airplane, the group recorded two of its biggest hits, “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit.” The lineup in those days included Paul Kantner and Marty Balin, along with Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, who continue to perform as Hot Tuna.

By the early ’70s, more lineup changes included the addition of a guy who’d just been released from jail for marijuana possession, a talented singer-songwriter, guitarist and keyboard player named David Freiberg. The former Quicksilver Messenger Service bass player joined Jefferson Airplane in 1972 at the behest of Kantner and was part of the lineup that re-formed as Jefferson Starship in 1974.

Kantner died in 2016 and Balin two years later.

Freiberg developed the signature organ riff of Balin’s song “Miracles,” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975.

In 1979, Freiberg composed the song “Jane,” which Rolling Stone said “was instrumental in moving (Jefferson Starship) into a more commercial, harder-rock direction.” “Jane” became a No. 14 hit for the group in 1979.

These days, Freiberg, 83, is part of a lineup that includes current Grammy-nominated leading lady Cathy Richardson. He recently spoke with the Tribune-Review about his long history with Jefferson Starship and some of the many changes he’s seen over the years.

Question: What incarnation of the group will fans see at the Palace in Greensburg on April 28?

Answer: This is Paul Kantner’s band, the band that he had when he passed away. It was this lineup for quite a while before he passed, and it’s been the same band since then. Our keyboardist, Chris Smith, has played in the band since 1998. Donny Baldwin, who played in Jefferson Starship, rejoined in 2005, along with me. Cathy Richardson took over the female vocals in 2008 and Jude Gold has been the lead guitarist since 2012. Paul’s family asked us to keep going, and we just felt like too much of a band not to keep playing.

Q: You are known, among other things, for being the primary composer of the song “Jane.” The catchy opening lyrics that grab you right from the start are “You say it’s all over, for you and me girl, there’s a time for love, and a time for lettin’ be baby.” What is the story behind that song?

A: It was about a girlfriend of mine. And then once you start writing the song, liberties are taken, and so instead of being true, they were better than true.

Q: Her name apparently wasn’t really “Jane.” You changed it to protect the innocent, right?

A: That’s exactly it. Actually, she’s a wonderful person. I never really asked her what she thought of the song. I know she realizes it was about her. We were together and she was too young to settle down … and so was I.

Q: Jefferson Starship has released its first new album in 12 years, “Mother of the Sun.” It was finished two years ago, but then the pandemic hit and you never really got to promote it. What can you tell us about the record?

A: The opening single “It’s About Time” was co-written by Grace Slick and Cathy Richardson and Jude Gold. It’s like a woman’s power anthem and it’s about time. Women should rule the world.

Q: Well, wasn’t this, at one time really Grace Slick’s band?

A: I don’t know. She was the obvious star of the band, of Jefferson Airplane. She was absolutely a unique singer and powerful. But I would say Paul Kantner was ostensibly the leader of the band. It’s kept evolving, and I’m having a great time with this band. This is as good a time as I’ve (ever) had. I’m over 80 and still playing. I feel like my voice has actually gotten better.

Q: What songs will you be doing in Greensburg? Will you be playing songs that go back to the Jefferson Airplane days of the 1960s?

A: Sure, we’ll do “White Rabbit.” We don’t leave anything out. It’s all part of the amazing journey.