JEFFERSON AIRPLANE Founder Marty Balin To Receive Honorable Lifetime Achievement Award

Legendary singer-songwriter and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Marty Balin, best known as lead singer and founder of Jefferson Airplane and hit song maker of Jefferson Starship, has one more award to add to his career, a Lifetime Achievement / Special Merit Award from The Recording Academy. 

Unfortunately, Marty Balin was unable to attend the ceremony and celebration, recorded at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles during Grammy Week. He had planned on being able to properly acknowledge the prestigious honor by performing with his fellow Band members but could not attend due to a critical health issue. Marty publicly wants to acknowledge the Academy and all of the fans around the world. “I was at great loss to not be able to join my fellow band members at this special event. I humbly share that the Life Time Achievement Award was Life itself,” he said. 

Marty will receive the award (in absentia) when, in collaboration with Great Performances, The Recording Academy® presents “Grammy Salute to Music Legends™,” a special all-star concert offering a primetime spotlight for The Academy’s 2016 Special Merit Awards recipients. It will air this Friday, October 14th from 9–11:30 p.m. on PBS. (Check local listings.) Previously held during Grammy® Week, this is the first time The Recording Academy has celebrated the Special Merit Awards with a television special.

Mr. Balin thanks The Recording Academy for such an honorable award. He said, “Being recognized for dedicating a life-time to a musical craft that has brought so many people happiness, makes life fulfilling,” he said.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honorees alongside Jefferson Airplane are Ruth Brown, Celia Cruz, Earth, Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Linda Ronstadt, and Run DMC. John Cage, Fred Foster and Chris Strachwitz are Trustees Award honorees; and EMT and Dr. Harvey Fletcher are Technical GRAMMY Award recipients. Also being honored is Phillip Riggs, this year’s recipient of the Music Educator Award™.

Up until Mr. Balin’s hospitalization, he had been enjoying the release of his new CD, Good Memories, a newly recorded tribute celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jefferson Airplane. This compilation spans the Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship hits. The double-disc album features all new acoustic-driven arrangements, and was released at the beginning of 2016. That was closely followed up by the release The Greatest Love, a new album of original material. Balin – who is known as “The King Of Love Songs” – had said at the release time that “It’s my message of love to my fans.” 

As one of the original owners of The Matrix, a renovated former pizza shop became a nightclub in San Francisco from 1965 to 1972. It was one of the keys to what eventually became known as the “San Francisco Sound” in rock music. The Matrix opened August 13th, 1965 showcasing Jefferson Airplane, which singer Marty Balin had put together as the club’s “house band.”

Balin’s distinctive voice, style, and memorable songs include Billboard top chart hits “Miracles,” “Hearts,” “Atlanta Lady,” “Count On Me,” and “Runaway,” as well as many album, radio, film, and television soundtrack classics, such as “Comin’ Back To Me,” “Today,” and “Volunteers.” From his classic hits with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, to new songs from recent albums and current studio sessions, a variety of Marty’s musical styles are represented in each live performance. 

In addition to music, Marty has also enjoyed painting. His works can be found at his gallery in Saint Augustine, Florida, and at galleries throughout the United States.