R.I.P. Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane 1941

Paul Kantner, a co-founder of American rock band Jefferson Airplane, has reportedly died at the age of 74. According to the newspaper, Kantner’s death was confirmed by his “longtime publicist and friend, Cynthia Bowman”. He had suffered a heart attack earlier in the week.

KANTNER, 74, had suffered a heart attack earlier this week. The Airplane became the first San Francisco rock group of that era to achieve mainstream success.

Jefferson Airplane played at America’s three most famous festivals, Monterey, Woodstock and Altamont.

Jefferson Starships” Paul Kantner, left, performs in front of Diana Mangano during the “Freedom Sings’ benefit concert sponsored by the First Amendment Center in New York Weds. After releasing their debut album, “The Jefferson Airplane Takes Off” in 1966, they soon recruited singer Grace Slick to add powerhouse vocals to their acid-tripping rock sounds that also featured lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, bassist Jack Casady and Spencer Dryden, who replaced the band’s original drummer, Skip Spence.

The Jefferson Airplane reunited its classic line-up for a final album and tour in 1989 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Music would not be the same without the sounds of The Doors and Jefferson Airplane, which both contributed so heavily to the signature sound of the 60s and 70s. He is survived by sons Gareth and Alexander and daughter China.