A Q-and-A with Jefferson Starship's David Freiberg in advance of band's Owensboro concert

At the forefront of the late 1960s to early 1970s San Francisco music scene, ranging from Quicksilver Messenger Service to Jefferson Airplane to Jefferson Starship and other stops in between, David Freiberg isn’t too old to rock ‘n roll at age 83.

“Half the people out there could be my kids,” said Freiberg, who sings, plays bass and keyboards for Jefferson Starship, who will perform on Thursday at RiverPark Center in Owensboro. “It seems to keep me going on. It’s why I get up every day. I must admit it’s great to get out and play again.”

An old Cincinnati Reds fan, Freiberg left the Queen City for San Francisco in 1959 and played folk clubs with future Airplane member Paul Kantner in the early 1960s before co-founding Quicksilver Messenger Service in 1965.

Frieberg joined the Airplane after Marty Balin left, performing on their live album, “Thirty Seconds over Winterland,” released in 1973. Lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady left the group and the rest of the members decided to rename the band Jefferson Starship, partially to keep from legal entanglements using "Jefferson" and "Airplane" together. 

Formed in San Francisco in 1974 by former Airplane members Grace Slick and Kantner, the original Jefferson Starship lineup included Freiberg (who co-wrote the song, "Jane," an FM radio staple. Jefferson Starship was one of the most successful arena rock groups of the 1970s and '80s, earning three platinum and eight gold records, plus several Top 40 singles. The band went through major personnel changes through the years while retaining the Jefferson Starship name. The band name was retired in 1984, but resumed in 1992 by Kantner, continuing following his death in 2016.

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The band received the approval of both Kantner's family and Slick to keep performing. Because some fans might not know which songs are from which band, the current lineup has no qualms playing everything from the Airplane's "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love" to Jefferson Starship's "Miracles," "With Your Love" and "Jane" to Starship's "We Built This City" and "Sara," among others.

The following Q and A is edited for length and clarity:

What was it like being part of the San Francisco scene in the late 1960s with Quicksilver Messenger Service, which had a great song in “Fresh Air.” You had the (Jefferson) Airplane, you had the (Grateful) Dead and you had one of my favorites, Moby Grape, which was unsung except for their first album. There was such energy and creativity.

You also had Big Brother and the Holding Company and Janis Joplin. She had tremendous energy.

Music fans from different eras may think theirs was the best, but the late ‘60s were truly magical. Do you agree?

It was a good time. Life changed, as they say. I joined the Airplane after Marty Balin left. I sang harmony and lead harmony. I went on tour and took a tremendous amount of pride that I was on a live album from that tour, “Thirty Seconds Over Winterland.” (The original) Jefferson Airplane was officially dissolved.

Paul, Grace and I made "Baron Von Tollbooth” together. We renamed the band Jefferson Starship. Paul had a (science fiction concept) album "Blows Against the Empire" that involved the hijacking of a starship.”

Is Grace Slick different from her reputation, or is she really that difficult?

She’s great. She just shouldn’t drink alcohol, which she hasn’t for a long time.

Grace is one of the great female rock singers of all time. She said she’s loud, which is great for rock ‘n roll. She doesn’t have a pretty voice like Joni Mitchell. What was it like singing with Grace?

It was an honor to sing with her. I’m pretty loud, too. She’s loud and she has a presence that emanates from her. Continuing to play as Jefferson Starship is a tribute to Paul, who restarted the band in 1993. I was gone for 20 years, from 1985 to 2005. I left when they dropped (the name) to Starship.

It’s kind of weird when there are two groups playing some of the same songs, such as Mike Love and the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson and Al Jardine and their group. Starship was led by Mickey Thomas, who sang the hell out of “Jane.” What was it like performing with him?

"Jane” was a song that Jim McPherson and I wrote. We needed a singer after Marty left. “Jane” was Mickey Thomas’ audition song. After the way he sang “Jane” there was no question (we had to hire him). He has a gospel thing going and what he does with it is great. He’s a great singer also.

With this band I sing ”Jane" onstage. I don’t try to be Mickey Thomas. I enjoy it and the fans seem to enjoy it. It’s went pretty well.

While a lot of bands are content to play the hits, you guys made a new album, “Carry the Fire” in 2017.

That was one of Paul and Grace’s (specifications) for continuing on, was to make new music.

Contact Gordon Engelhardt by email at gordon.engelhardt@courierpress.com and follow him on Twitter @EngGordon.

IF YOU GO

What: Jefferson Starship

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: RiverPark Center, Owensboro, Ky.

Tickets: Call RiverPark Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 270-687-2770 or go to ticketmaster.com