The best rock drummer ever, Aynsley Dunbar, plus Mickey's incredible voice! Killer stuff. I worked teleprompter on most of the last 20 Blues Awards, and he hosted a few years back, so we spent a bit of time together going through the script. He is such a genuinely nice guy, really humble & funny too.
Mickey Thomas is still singing this at the age of 73 in the same key ffs!!! And hes still absolutely killing it! A lesson for all singers out there to look after your pipes if you want longevity - Also check out Craig Chaquico's guitar solo on Runaway, Jefferson Starship Earth album, its absolutely exquisite, one of the great guitar solos of all time imo
I hired Micky Thomas at a casino I managed in 1999 Washington state north Seattle. We put in a music explosion weekend with Firefall on Thursday Thomas on Friday and Rita Coolidge on Saturday. Thomas's voice was so sweet Firefall stayed until the next night just to watch Mickey Thomas.
Lead guitarist, Craig Chaquico, arranged "Jane' as a rock song, writing the key guitar licks and riffs, the drums, keyboard and bass parts, as well. It had been brought to the band by David Freiberg and his songwriting partner as a mellow, folk-style love song and Chaquico arranged it as a rock song that would balance off of Thomas's vocal range.
"Jane" is one of my favorites! I love it! Mickey's voice is just amazing. (On the other hand, if I never hear "We Built This City" again, I'll be fine.) Love ya, Fil!
That's really funny, but it's true.. it was one of those songs that made you say to yourself yeah they sold out.. kind of like when Styx did Mr Roboto but in hindsight, they got to pay their bills too lol
My modern eighteen year old watched this with me. I will add that he is a very good musician in his own right. His simple comment.....” the lead has great range and with little effort”. Agree. Excellent choice Fil.
Pete Sears, who you almost missed out, was one of the bands key composers. He was also an outstanding bass player, known for hacking out some immense improvised solos, some of which are available on YT.
Both "Jane" and "Find Your Way Back" were written and arranged by lead guitarist Craig Chaquico (music and lyrics for "Find Your Way Back" and the recognizable rock riffs, licks and solos for guitar, bass, drums and keys on "Jane.")
Great analysis and overview of the band! Always been a huge fan of Jefferson Starship. On a side note the British know music, especially how to rock! Cheers!
Very odd....Paul Kantner and Signe Anderson both died on the same day (Paul, a few hours after Signe) ~ very strange. Both were 74 years of age. R.I.P.
@@wolftracks9010 John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. Fifty years to the day that The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted.
@@wolftracks9010 I had the privilege of seeing Signe as a guest vocalist witht he 90s Jefferson Starship with Pauly. Since I saw the Airplane in 1989, I felt I got to see all of the members (sans Skip Spence and Spencer Dryden). The 89 tour was fantastic too.
This is one of my all time favorites! Mickey is a Georgia (USA) native (bragging rights, my neck of the woods). He could have taken over the stage but he seemed to fall back, like he didn’t want to be singled out; however he is so talented you can’t take your attention away for a minute. The band was awesome too, but in this performance, Mickey is “The Man”. Love Your Channel Professor!
SUCH a smokin' song!! Lookit Mickey Thomas blowing it clean away!! 💖 The solo makes my eyes water! Always love great little changes like wot happen in this song. This song is just packed with ecstatic moments... It's hard to not get excited to hear it every single time! 🔥
I remember seeing this as a young kid when it first played on tv and I was blown away by the tightness and awesomeness of the musicianship of every single person in this group and especially Ainsley Dunbar who I believe is the unsung hero here. I also distinctly remember being irritated as hell when all those jackasses jumped in and tried to pretend they were rock stars and blocked my view of seeing Ainsley going off towards the end with all his drum fills and the way he just swung everything so hard and grooved everything so masterfully and seeing it again for the first time in many years I have rekindled that irritation of the same jackasses obscuring my view of one of Ainsley dunbar's Great Moments here lol. He was one of my main Inspirations for wanting to be a drummer after I saw him at my very first live concert with Journey in 1979 in Chicago (spoiled for life). But anyways I'm so glad Fil broke this one down... Mickey Thomas is definitely one of a kind and you cannot appreciate how gifted he is until you try to duplicate what he has done it's pretty much impossible; kind of like Steve Perry he has a very unique counter- tenor voice. I just watched a concert with him with Starship from 2007 in Las Vegas and I was blown away that he was still able to do all of this stuff for like over an hour hitting these high notes through the whole freaking concert perfectly and that was only about 15 years ago I don't know what he's doing now but even for 2007 to still be in top shape and looking incredibly young there blew me away. thanks for the great post!
Thanks for a great analysis! Craig's solo on this song is in my top five dramatic guitar solos of all time. The way it builds up, pauses at the top and lets loose is pure genius. Even today I listen to this song over and over just to hear the solo.
Love this! We covered this song in my band! Always got a HUGE response from the crowd from those opening guitar notes onward. A workout for my vocal chords..made my eyes bug out lol. Such a tight performance by Jefferson Starship with the ever powerful great unique vocals of Mickey Thomas! So damn impressive! Musically superb tight Performance! Great analysis once again Fil! Thanks! 😎🎼🎶🎵🍔🇨🇦
I love the joy on this guy’s joy in his smile when he watches these videos, and then he’s so good in his reviews... He even gets into some deep theory here, as well as a perfect analysis on the vocals...
The band I was in during the 60s, in SF, got to play multiple shows with the Airplane before this band was ever considered. When they broke up and Jack and Jorma formed Hot Tuna, I was surprised to hear the new, more mainstream approach from Paul and Grace. Mickey was to this band, what Steve Perry was to Journey, and gave them a sound that was distinct for sure. Thanks, as always for a great breakdown of this performance. You always nail it.
I have always been amazed at how Micky Thomas switches from chest voice to head voice and on to falsetto seamlessly without his voice ever breaking. It's really impossible to tell his falsetto from his regular voice.
@@samanthab1923 Great song, though I think this song better showcases the pure range the man is capable of. I would definitely put him in the top ten of male rock vocalists.
I've always been two sided on Starship. I dislike it as the official death of Jefferson Airplane a band I grew up with. But, it was a great band, soooooo. Saw them play several times around the Bay Area and Northern California. My tie to them was at a Hilton Hotel in Sacramento, it was after their concert. Walking through the lobby there was Craig Chaquico with guitar in hand arguing with the desk clerk. He turned and looked at me with a exasperated look. The desk clerk didn't believe baby faced, long haired Craig was the one on the American Express card. I walked up and shook his hand and said "Great show Craig", smiled at the desk clerk and walked away... the desk clerk"s tune changed and the trouble finished. I actually was there with visiting inlaws and did not attend the concert! I never saw Craig again. But, I am glad I was there at the moment to wipe the smirk off that smarmy desk clerks face.
Jefferson Airplane was already "dead" (Paul Kantner quote) by 1972, two years before Jefferson Starship was formed, so really it shouldn't be blamed for the end of the Airplane which had simply run its course. New era, new sound. Great story about Craig Chaquico! Good on you!
Thank you, Fil! I was JUST wondering if this video was online after I watched you look at Mickey Thomas sing Fooled Around and Fell in Love. What a vocalist!! So glad you appreciate him as much as I. Thank you!
I was travelling between the San Francisco Bay Area + So Cal that year. I saw this from the San Francisco band Jefferson Starship on the tv show Saturdays. Great analysis on the offbeat! 😎 I love it when the cast of Saturdays come in at the end to sing + play percussion! 😎 Add to RIP Gilda Radner.
This was the tightest iteration of the various Jefferson/Flying - Vehicle bands. Not saying the most artistic...that is a matter of personal taste and probably the age of the listener. When Craig hit at age 16 in '71and was covered by Guitar Player and Bay Area Music Magazine, he inspired an army of young players to get serious. Just like Fleetwood Mac and the Doobies, this band survived by adapting to a changing market. Great commentary Fil!
Let's give credit to the awesome Aynsley Dunbar on drums. I love Aynsley's use of the bell on the ride cymbal on the off beats toward the end. Mickey is awesome, I think Craig Chaquico's solo is one of the best and most melodic of the era and that riff is so slamming. I believe it is one of the true forerunners to a more hard rock style riff so popular in the mid 80s. This clip is from the show Friday's which was a competitor to SNL. They have a lot of excellent performance video from their show!
Love Mickey Thomas singing with Elvin Bishop, “Fooled Around and Fell In Love”, saw them(Elvin Bishop) at my brothers college way back in 1973 when that song was newly released!
Fil, excellent informative analysis as always. Your insight can only come from a musician. Natural flow to your narrative. Have you done a video on 3 Dog Night ?
Those were some great times in the late 70's-80's Fil. Insane bands like Jefferson Starship rock'n the power chords and high pitch vocals. Good party, cruising tunes.
I commented on this analysis video on the Pantheon website shortly after I got notice that you were doing this--at around 10:05 PM EST. In any event, Fil, you've never disappointed me with your musical analysis videos and this is no exception. What made your analysis more interesting was that, when you were just about to describe something about Jefferson Starship's performance, you mentioned what you likened it to and I already had a synonym for your description. For example: You referred to how the band utilized their vocals and instrumentation as a “recipe,” I was thinking towards somewhat similar, like carefully putting all the right ingredients in a timely manner and using the right type of cooking the best tasting soup. I too agree about Craig Chacico's lead guitar solo taking the listener on a journey. As a musician, I've felt that this is the responsibility to take listeners on that journey to that "peak of the mountain," as you described it. It's said that once you(in general, as a performer)lose your audience, it's very difficult if not impossible to get them engaged again. I also find it interesting that the male tenor C5 is considered as “the holy grail" because the late opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was known as “the king of the high Cs;” hence the C5 perhaps being known as you’d mentioned it. Once again, Fil, you've done an absolutely fab job! Cheers!
@@wingsofpegasus My pleasure. I just sent you a TH-cam link to a Sweet performance if you wish to analyze it. It's in the comments of your most recent country and western discussion. Thanks for being YOU!
Yeah an awesome rock band Fil! Great guitars and powerful vocals....they were really in sync with each other and produced some amazing music! Excellent Fil! 😀🤘👌
Lead guitarist, Craig Chaquico wrote the rock arrangement for the song to highlight Thomas's vocals and for the ability to sync the guitar and vocal ranges. Cool you emphasized that.
Mickey Thomas was always my favorite vocalist. Yeah,JS sounded so good live. Greatness always sounds good. No auto-tune/ pitch correction needed. 100 percent raw talent.
I'll be the lone voice of dissension, but I love both Jefferson Starship and Starship, including We Built This City. I'm in absolute awe of Mickey's vocal talent and I love to crank the radio in my car and try to sing along with him. Nothing gets my blood pumping like Find Your Way Back.
Hello Fil, Ah yes, I was just a lad of 21 in 1981 and remember it well, lot's of air play time, good tune. They did have a good sound. Great channel, always a pleasure to watch. All the best from Oregon, USA, C
Met Paul in Nashville and he had a singer with him who looked and sounded like a young Grace Slick 10 times over! She was gorgeous and they did an acoustic set. I don’t remember her name, they were all so relaxed and friendly.
I might be one of the few individuals who loves both the Airplane and the Starship. Different bands. Different sounds, but both amazing in their own rights.
Same with me. I love the airplane for their melodic hippie sound, and it works for me when I'm in that kind of a mood. But Starship was such a revelation when they came out, so many great hits and the hard-rocking with Craig and Aynsley took it to another level. But I have favorite songs from each band. And I mean like some of my top 20 favorite songs there's a couple from airplane and a couple from Starship. I think my favorite Starship song is still Save Your Love
That, my friend, was a song that gave my speakers a workout whenever it came on the radio. Without fail. There was just something about it. Oddly enough I was never an Airplane fan and I had little regard for Starship at the time. There was really nothing from Starship before or since that really caught my attention. Thanks for the video Fil (and Starship)! Cheers!
I really like your video's Fil, I don't know what the hell you're talking about half the time but I always listen. I couldn't carry a tune if it was in a bucket lol
Jefferson Airplane was slightly before my time. I always like that period along with the Marty Balin songs in the late 70s. This album with Jane and Find Your Way back is my favorite of all of them.
Been privileged to see him live several times- Even to this day, flawless vocals. Not as proficient, but another high voice is Geddy Lee- Please do another Rush reaction, preferably from Exit Stage Left! Peace ✌️
Another great review. Mickey Thomas is so good that he is one the few that sound better live then on record. His vocals on Elvin Bishops fooled around and fell in love was fantastic. He has a perfect recording voice that could mskecan average song a hit!
Nice! I believe I sent you a link to this video a little while back. Jefferson Starship was so good at this time in their careers. Mickey Thomas absolutely stood out when his voice came on the radio. Fun fact: I actually met Grace Slick at a radio station here in Portland, Oregon (KGON 92.3 FM) in 1981. I was 15 years old and she couldn't have been nicer. Cheers Fil! P.S. You did it again, Fil! You called Elvin Bishop "Alvin Lee" at the 3:06 mark...🤣🤣 No worries, amigo. You're still the best!
The two men who come out and join in the chorus are, from left, Darrow Igus and Mark Blankfield. They were cast members on "Fridays", from which this clip came. It was kind of a low-budget version of Saturday Night Live, most memorable for staring the careers of Larry David and Michael Richards ("Kramer" on "Seinfeld")..
Grace, Mickey, (Marty)! I love their vocals and musuc in general. However Jane was playing in my cassette in my car and I was crusing into the early morning hours just listening to music and burning gas (damn Americans)! I always had an updated sound system in my classic 1971 Pontiac Lemans Sport 400! Wow I love this. I'm back in '81! Thank you! I've always loved music. I could live without a TV, but I had to have a "stereo" back in the day. My "stereo" had 4 speakers, so I suppose it wasn't wasn't a stereo technically. The music had to sound clear, distinct and loud! Thanks!
Hope you stay happy & healthy! Great analysis! 👏 I always go back & listen twice to just absorb what your saying. Your fine Fil, we all have done that said one thing and meant something else. Don't worry, "You Fil" have the talent, the voice, the smile, the boyish charm! I think you would do great singing Journeys song, Loving, Touchin, Squeezin. I'm very serious you would sound great! Have a dood day Fil! 😍🤗😊😍💕👏
My son played drums in school and during that time he met John Barbata. Don't know if he even remembers now but it was a thrill when he was 12. Maybe more for Dad thou. Good stuff Fil !
This single came out on the Grunt label 40 years ago! I'd left my copy in the sun inside my laboratory window and the vinyl warped so my colleagues nailed the record to the laboratory wall because they liked the record company name! Always loved JS hard melodic rock music and unlike a lot of bands could reproduce it live. Great analysis again Fil. How about an analysis of Shout by Grand Prix with Rob McAuley on vocals?
Love 'Jane' thanks for your insights. So many battles in this band... perhaps the biggest one that you didn't mention was a physical attack by their drummer Donny Baldwin on Mickey Thomas after a gig in 1989, which left Mickey in hospital and requiring facial reconstruction surgery.
What you saw was Starship featuring Mickey Thomas. Starship, the original hit-making band, ended in 1991. Thomas formed his own band to cover the songs Live in concert a couple of years after Starship ended.
!['Fridays' TV Show - N [08 of 08] (1981) Jefferson Starship - "Jane" (Live - 'Fridays')](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zPRN89El7DQ/mqdefault.jpg)
The best rock drummer ever, Aynsley Dunbar, plus Mickey's incredible voice! Killer stuff. I worked teleprompter on most of the last 20 Blues Awards, and he hosted a few years back, so we spent a bit of time together going through the script. He is such a genuinely nice guy, really humble & funny too.
Mickey Thomas is still singing this at the age of 73 in the same key ffs!!! And hes still absolutely killing it! A lesson for all singers out there to look after your pipes if you want longevity - Also check out Craig Chaquico's guitar solo on Runaway, Jefferson Starship Earth album, its absolutely exquisite, one of the great guitar solos of all time imo
I hired Micky Thomas at a casino I managed in 1999 Washington state north Seattle. We put in a music explosion weekend with Firefall on Thursday Thomas on Friday and Rita Coolidge on Saturday. Thomas's voice was so sweet Firefall stayed until the next night just to watch Mickey Thomas.
FIREFALL!! How much I'd love if Fil analyzed them. They're from Boulder, just like my daddy!
Goddamn Criminal that someone as talented as that had to take a 9-5
What a voice. He's amazing.
Lead guitarist, Craig Chaquico, arranged "Jane' as a rock song, writing the key guitar licks and riffs, the drums, keyboard and bass parts, as well. It had been brought to the band by David Freiberg and his songwriting partner as a mellow, folk-style love song and Chaquico arranged it as a rock song that would balance off of Thomas's vocal range.
Craig Chaquico a fantastic and very versatile guitarist
@@Doubrelle I have Craig's cd when he did his smooth jazz phase when he went solo.
"Jane" is one of my favorites! I love it! Mickey's voice is just amazing. (On the other hand, if I never hear "We Built This City" again, I'll be fine.) Love ya, Fil!
Word!
And yet the song is better than anything on the radio today...weird.
I left with Paulie. I was out like him.
That's really funny, but it's true.. it was one of those songs that made you say to yourself yeah they sold out.. kind of like when Styx did Mr Roboto but in hindsight, they got to pay their bills too lol
My modern eighteen year old watched this with me. I will add that he is a very good musician in his own right. His simple comment.....” the lead has great range and with little effort”. Agree. Excellent choice Fil.
Mickey Thomas is one of rock's greatest singers.
He should be rated right up there with Steve Perry, Steve Walsh...
Agreed
Agree 100% !
That d00d absolutely sang his ass off on this track. SICK
Totally agree, but personally, I’ve always put him in with the greats. Never can underrate that voice.
Indeed
Pete Sears, who you almost missed out, was one of the bands key composers. He was also an outstanding bass player, known for hacking out some immense improvised solos, some of which are available on YT.
"Find Your Way Back" has always been one of my favorites as well.
Both "Jane" and "Find Your Way Back" were written and arranged by lead guitarist Craig Chaquico (music and lyrics for "Find Your Way Back" and the recognizable rock riffs, licks and solos for guitar, bass, drums and keys on "Jane.")
Yes Find Your Way Back is so awesome!
Great analysis and overview of the band! Always been a huge fan of Jefferson Starship.
On a side note the British know music, especially how to rock! Cheers!
Such a great live version of Jane. The whole band is rockin and that is about as entertaining as it can be. Thanks Fil. Good one.
It's from the show Fridays which was an SNL competitor. They had excellent performances on that show.
Rest in peace Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, and Spencer Dryden and Signe Anderson.
Very odd....Paul Kantner and Signe Anderson both died on the same day (Paul, a few hours after Signe) ~ very strange. Both were 74 years of age. R.I.P.
@@wolftracks9010 John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. Fifty years to the day that The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted.
@@wolftracks9010 I had the privilege of seeing Signe as a guest vocalist witht he 90s Jefferson Starship with Pauly. Since I saw the Airplane in 1989, I felt I got to see all of the members (sans Skip Spence and Spencer Dryden). The 89 tour was fantastic too.
@@mikek5958 gematria
Music is so essential during these very scary times. Thanks for providing such joy.
I’m with you, Fil. This is my type of rock. Love the Starship. Thanks, Fil, for another great analysis❣️
This is one of my all time favorites! Mickey is a Georgia (USA) native (bragging rights, my neck of the woods). He could have taken over the stage but he seemed to fall back, like he didn’t want to be singled out; however he is so talented you can’t take your attention away for a minute. The band was awesome too, but in this performance, Mickey is “The Man”. Love Your Channel Professor!
Mickey could have sung with ToTo but glad he stayed with Starship
Mickey Thomas southern boy out of Cario Ga! What a fantastic voice!
SUCH a smokin' song!! Lookit Mickey Thomas blowing it clean away!! 💖 The solo makes my eyes water! Always love great little changes like wot happen in this song. This song is just packed with ecstatic moments... It's hard to not get excited to hear it every single time! 🔥
Mickey Thomas had a golden voice. Instantly recognizable, very versatile and amazingly consistent.
And STILL DOES ! Saw him in 2019. Absolutely amazing !
I remember seeing this as a young kid when it first played on tv and I was blown away by the tightness and awesomeness of the musicianship of every single person in this group and especially Ainsley Dunbar who I believe is the unsung hero here. I also distinctly remember being irritated as hell when all those jackasses jumped in and tried to pretend they were rock stars and blocked my view of seeing Ainsley going off towards the end with all his drum fills and the way he just swung everything so hard and grooved everything so masterfully and seeing it again for the first time in many years I have rekindled that irritation of the same jackasses obscuring my view of one of Ainsley dunbar's Great Moments here lol. He was one of my main Inspirations for wanting to be a drummer after I saw him at my very first live concert with Journey in 1979 in Chicago (spoiled for life). But anyways I'm so glad Fil broke this one down...
Mickey Thomas is definitely one of a kind and you cannot appreciate how gifted he is until you try to duplicate what he has done it's pretty much impossible; kind of like Steve Perry he has a very unique counter- tenor voice. I just watched a concert with him with Starship from 2007 in Las Vegas and I was blown away that he was still able to do all of this stuff for like over an hour hitting these high notes through the whole freaking concert perfectly and that was only about 15 years ago I don't know what he's doing now but even for 2007 to still be in top shape and looking incredibly young there blew me away. thanks for the great post!
Very special vocalists, both Mickey and Grace. Very special band in any of the lineups. Love Chaquico's guitar sound.
Thanks for a great analysis! Craig's solo on this song is in my top five dramatic guitar solos of all time. The way it builds up, pauses at the top and lets loose is pure genius. Even today I listen to this song over and over just to hear the solo.
Love this! We covered this song in my band! Always got a HUGE response from the crowd from those opening guitar notes onward. A workout for my vocal chords..made my eyes bug out lol. Such a tight performance by Jefferson Starship with the ever powerful great unique vocals of Mickey Thomas! So damn impressive! Musically superb tight Performance! Great analysis once again Fil! Thanks! 😎🎼🎶🎵🍔🇨🇦
I love the joy on this guy’s joy in his smile when he watches these videos, and then he’s so good in his reviews... He even gets into some deep theory here, as well as a perfect analysis on the vocals...
Thanks!
Wings of Pegasus 🤘🏻
Saw Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas in Austin a few years back. We were about 10 feet from him. Killed it. He was brilliant. Unbelievable.
Mickey's truly one of the best vocalists of all time.
Love Starship & you too Fil 😘
The band I was in during the 60s, in SF, got to play multiple shows with the Airplane before this band was ever considered. When they broke up and Jack and Jorma formed Hot Tuna, I was surprised to hear the new, more mainstream approach from Paul and Grace. Mickey was to this band, what Steve Perry was to Journey, and gave them a sound that was distinct for sure. Thanks, as always for a great breakdown of this performance. You always nail it.
Great singing and music and love your critique and Mickey still sounds great today
Fil, Great analysis and explanation of Mickey's vocal technique.
I have always been amazed at how Micky Thomas switches from chest voice to head voice and on to falsetto seamlessly without his voice ever breaking. It's really impossible to tell his falsetto from his regular voice.
Horatio VonDarkfaulker That's why I love him on Fooled around & feel in Love.
@@samanthab1923 Great song, though I think this song better showcases the pure range the man is capable of. I would definitely put him in the top ten of male rock vocalists.
That’s what we all think! Mickey T is unreal
I've always been two sided on Starship. I dislike it as the official death of Jefferson Airplane a band I grew up with. But, it was a great band, soooooo. Saw them play several times around the Bay Area and Northern California. My tie to them was at a Hilton Hotel in Sacramento, it was after their concert. Walking through the lobby there was Craig Chaquico with guitar in hand arguing with the desk clerk. He turned and looked at me with a exasperated look. The desk clerk didn't believe baby faced, long haired Craig was the one on the American Express card. I walked up and shook his hand and said "Great show Craig", smiled at the desk clerk and walked away... the desk clerk"s tune changed and the trouble finished. I actually was there with visiting inlaws and did not attend the concert! I never saw Craig again. But, I am glad I was there at the moment to wipe the smirk off that smarmy desk clerks face.
Fantastic memory and opportunity!!!💜
What a great story!
Very cool.
Jefferson Airplane was already "dead" (Paul Kantner quote) by 1972, two years before Jefferson Starship was formed, so really it shouldn't be blamed for the end of the Airplane which had simply run its course. New era, new sound. Great story about Craig Chaquico! Good on you!
Thank you, Fil! I was JUST wondering if this video was online after I watched you look at Mickey Thomas sing Fooled Around and Fell in Love. What a vocalist!! So glad you appreciate him as much as I. Thank you!
Thanks, Fil for another great video! 😄. Stay well 💕💕💕
Mickey and Ann Wilson would be something together.
Karen Nyere ooooooo, that would be killer!!!
I was travelling between the San Francisco Bay Area + So Cal that year. I saw this from the San Francisco band Jefferson Starship on the tv show Saturdays.
Great analysis on the offbeat! 😎
I love it when the cast of Saturdays come in at the end to sing + play percussion! 😎
Add to RIP Gilda Radner.
This is a great song ... Right up your alley ..
Thanks professor
Cow bell 🛎
👍🤘
This was the tightest iteration of the various Jefferson/Flying - Vehicle bands.
Not saying the most artistic...that is a matter of personal taste and probably the age of the listener.
When Craig hit at age 16 in '71and was covered by Guitar Player and Bay Area Music Magazine, he inspired an army of young players to get serious.
Just like Fleetwood Mac and the Doobies, this band survived by adapting to a changing market.
Great commentary Fil!
Funny you mentioned 'Vehicle' bands... I know you didn't mean it, but didn't the man who wrote Vehicle also have something to do with Starship?
Lol...just referring to the various names that Jefferson Airplane became...
Dunno about "Vehicle" but I am curious now.
Looks like you really enjoyed this one Fil. Please stay safe my musical brother from across the pond. ❤️🇺🇸
Let's give credit to the awesome Aynsley Dunbar on drums. I love Aynsley's use of the bell on the ride cymbal on the off beats toward the end. Mickey is awesome, I think Craig Chaquico's solo is one of the best and most melodic of the era and that riff is so slamming. I believe it is one of the true forerunners to a more hard rock style riff so popular in the mid 80s. This clip is from the show Friday's which was a competitor to SNL. They have a lot of excellent performance video from their show!
Still an incredible song, excellent vocals,awesome guitar, and a hook u just can't pass up! Man,i miss this music!
This is by far and away my favorite song from this group. I've tried to sing this: impossible!!! Thanks, Fil!
2:30 He doesn't seem to even take a deep breath to hit the high note. Amazing.
Thanks for giving props to the cowbell! ...Seriously, thank you so much for your work/analysis. I share to friends,and sometimes to facebook.
Magnificent tenor!! This song was so great. Back then I just waited for more of this. *pouts*
I remember taping this song off the radio when I was in 8th grade. I loved the guitar solo. The 80s was definitely the era of the guitar solo.
On the "Phil smile gauge" this song got pretty much a 10! 🙂
Love Jefferson Starship 👍😁👍
Can’t beat Mickey Thomas vocals, Mr. Ansley on the drums and Paul (RIP) Kantar’s guitar playing! Thanks again always Sir Fil! ❤ 2:12
Mickey's vocals are GLORIOUS!
Love Mickey Thomas singing with Elvin Bishop, “Fooled Around and Fell In Love”, saw them(Elvin Bishop) at my brothers college way back in 1973 when that song was newly released!
I was year old when this was performed :) such a tight band and Mickey Thomas can really put across a melodic line, awesome vocalist...
Fil, excellent informative analysis as always. Your insight can only come from a musician. Natural flow to your narrative. Have you done a video on 3 Dog Night ?
Not yet!
Great song. These people are great. Their song "Stranger" is another good one. From 1981 also I think. Great analysis and video as always Fil.
Stellar performance! My uncle played saxophone for Mickey with Elvin Bishop.
Cool!
Those were some great times in the late 70's-80's Fil. Insane bands like Jefferson Starship rock'n the power chords and high pitch vocals. Good party, cruising tunes.
Airplane/Starship.... All good. I lived through it all.
Big difference in sound. Loved the Airplane sound much better
@@HamiltonRb They do not compare to Jefferson Airplane.
I commented on this analysis video on the Pantheon website shortly after I got notice that you were doing this--at around 10:05 PM EST. In any event, Fil, you've never disappointed me with your musical analysis videos and this is no exception. What made your analysis more interesting was that, when you were just about to describe something about Jefferson Starship's performance, you mentioned what you likened it to and I already had a synonym for your description. For example: You referred to how the band utilized their vocals and instrumentation as a “recipe,” I was thinking towards somewhat similar, like carefully putting all the right ingredients in a timely manner and using the right type of cooking the best tasting soup. I too agree about Craig Chacico's lead guitar solo taking the listener on a journey. As a musician, I've felt that this is the responsibility to take listeners on that journey to that "peak of the mountain," as you described it. It's said that once you(in general, as a performer)lose your audience, it's very difficult if not impossible to get them engaged again. I also find it interesting that the male tenor C5 is considered as “the holy grail" because the late opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was known as “the king of the high Cs;” hence the C5 perhaps being known as you’d mentioned it.
Once again, Fil, you've done an absolutely fab job! Cheers!
Thanks!
@@wingsofpegasus My pleasure. I just sent you a TH-cam link to a Sweet performance if you wish to analyze it. It's in the comments of your most recent country and western discussion. Thanks for being YOU!
This was great - thanks Fil! I've been so busy and haven't been able to drop by lately lol - missed your channel and your live feed - take care!
On lockdown here in Los Angeles! Thanks for the fun and insightful videos. Definitely helps with the boredom of the day. Be safe Fil !!!!
Great breakdown of great song when this band was En Fuego! Thanks Fil keep them coming.
Thanks for the awesome review Fil!
Yeah an awesome rock band Fil! Great guitars and powerful vocals....they were really in sync with each other and produced some amazing music! Excellent Fil! 😀🤘👌
Lead guitarist, Craig Chaquico wrote the rock arrangement for the song to highlight Thomas's vocals and for the ability to sync the guitar and vocal ranges. Cool you emphasized that.
Mickey Thomas was always my favorite vocalist. Yeah,JS sounded so good live. Greatness always sounds good. No auto-tune/ pitch correction needed. 100 percent raw talent.
I'll be the lone voice of dissension, but I love both Jefferson Starship and Starship, including We Built This City. I'm in absolute awe of Mickey's vocal talent and I love to crank the radio in my car and try to sing along with him. Nothing gets my blood pumping like Find Your Way Back.
Hello Fil, Ah yes, I was just a lad of 21 in 1981 and remember it well, lot's of air play time, good tune. They did have a good sound. Great channel, always a pleasure to watch. All the best from Oregon, USA, C
Met Paul in Nashville and he had a singer with him who looked and sounded like a young Grace Slick 10 times over! She was gorgeous and they did an acoustic set. I don’t remember her name, they were all so relaxed and friendly.
I might be one of the few individuals who loves both the Airplane and the Starship. Different bands. Different sounds, but both amazing in their own rights.
Yo same here!
Same with me. I love the airplane for their melodic hippie sound, and it works for me when I'm in that kind of a mood. But Starship was such a revelation when they came out, so many great hits and the hard-rocking with Craig and Aynsley took it to another level. But I have favorite songs from each band. And I mean like some of my top 20 favorite songs there's a couple from airplane and a couple from Starship. I think my favorite Starship song is still Save Your Love
Aynsley Dunbar. An unsung drum hero.
Yeah, he played for some top names. Always liked his work.
the man played with the legend that is Mr. Frank Zappa..nuff said
Peeholio - "Machine Gun" Dunbar 🤙🏽😎💯
Yes Still Of The Night - Whitesnake There is a drum track only video . Reminds me of Bonham
Before JS, he was in Journey. After both bands, this Brit joined fellow Brits in Whitesnake.
One my all time favorite bands. Thank you for sharing!
That, my friend, was a song that gave my speakers a workout whenever it came on the radio. Without fail. There was just something about it. Oddly enough I was never an Airplane fan and I had little regard for Starship at the time. There was really nothing from Starship before or since that really caught my attention. Thanks for the video Fil (and Starship)! Cheers!
This is my favorite Jefferson Starship song! Thanks Fil!...✌️❤️🤘
Cool!
Hey! Only notified 1 day late...YAY! Fantastic diagnostics of the sounds we layfolk are hearing. Brilliant!
It's ok, I only uploaded it 3 or 4 hours ago! ☺
COOL guitars..always liked this band..great vocals and a guitar driven tune...thanks Fil.
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Yep, the rock arrangements/songwriting were compliments of lead guitarist, Craig Chaquico.
I really like your video's Fil, I don't know what the hell you're talking about half the time but I always listen. I couldn't carry a tune if it was in a bucket lol
Jefferson Airplane was slightly before my time. I always like that period along with the Marty Balin songs in the late 70s. This album with Jane and Find Your Way back is my favorite of all of them.
Fil, you are having way too much fun! Cheers, mate!
Been privileged to see him live several times- Even to this day, flawless vocals. Not as proficient, but another high voice is Geddy Lee- Please do another Rush reaction, preferably from Exit Stage Left! Peace ✌️
Love your analysis and great choice for video. It looks like they had fun! /m\
Another great review. Mickey Thomas is so good that he is one the few that sound better live then on record. His vocals on Elvin Bishops fooled around and fell in love was fantastic. He has a perfect recording voice that could mskecan average song a hit!
I was too young to appreciate Jefferson Airplane much, but always loved Starship!
That's alright Tennessee... I think Starship was miles better! Save Your Love is one of my favorite songs on the planet!
You sure you were to young...lol
Never too late to appreciate Airplane. Here, this is for you... th-cam.com/video/RZiMHO8zO5U/w-d-xo.html
Nice! I believe I sent you a link to this video a little while back. Jefferson Starship was so good at this time in their careers. Mickey Thomas absolutely stood out when his voice came on the radio.
Fun fact: I actually met Grace Slick at a radio station here in Portland, Oregon (KGON 92.3 FM) in 1981. I was 15 years old and she couldn't have been nicer.
Cheers Fil!
P.S. You did it again, Fil! You called Elvin Bishop "Alvin Lee" at the 3:06 mark...🤣🤣
No worries, amigo. You're still the best!
I seem to have a sub conscious mental problem! Every time I think Elvin Bishop, Alvin Lee comes out?!
The two men who come out and join in the chorus are, from left, Darrow Igus and Mark Blankfield. They were cast members on "Fridays", from which this clip came. It was kind of a low-budget version of Saturday Night Live, most memorable for staring the careers of Larry David and Michael Richards ("Kramer" on "Seinfeld")..
It was a pleasure to see all those people on stage having fun together. Near the end of the video it was depressing to hear about all the suing.
Grace, Mickey, (Marty)! I love their vocals and musuc in general. However Jane was playing in my cassette in my car and I was crusing into the early morning hours just listening to music and burning gas (damn Americans)! I always had an updated sound system in my classic 1971 Pontiac Lemans Sport 400! Wow I love this. I'm back in '81! Thank you! I've always loved music. I could live without a TV, but I had to have a "stereo" back in the day. My "stereo" had 4 speakers, so I suppose it wasn't wasn't a stereo technically. The music had to sound clear, distinct and loud! Thanks!
Hope you stay happy & healthy! Great analysis! 👏 I always go back & listen twice to just absorb what your saying. Your fine Fil, we all have done that said one thing and meant something else. Don't worry, "You Fil" have the talent, the voice, the smile, the boyish charm! I think you would do great singing Journeys song, Loving, Touchin, Squeezin. I'm very serious you would sound great! Have a dood day Fil! 😍🤗😊😍💕👏
Great song, great performance
You have great taste in music. Really enjoy your videos!
My son played drums in school and during that time he met John Barbata.
Don't know if he even remembers now but it was a thrill when he was 12.
Maybe more for Dad thou.
Good stuff Fil !
What great memories of my JR year in high school!!!!! Thanks for the analysis! Bad ass! Grace Slick was one more beautiful woman!!!
Such an awesome song. Blew me away when I heard it for the first time as a teenager.
I hopped in my car to go to town and this came on, bought the album while in town and came home and learned that solo.
This single came out on the Grunt label 40 years ago! I'd left my copy in the sun inside my laboratory window and the vinyl warped so my colleagues nailed the record to the laboratory wall because they liked the record company name! Always loved JS hard melodic rock music and unlike a lot of bands could reproduce it live. Great analysis again Fil. How about an analysis of Shout by Grand Prix with Rob McAuley on vocals?
I saw Starship in 2018 in Omaha, NE. The band was unbelievable. John Roth was incredible as I had never heard of him prior to that show. Wow!
Aynsley Dunbar on drums, my personal favorite drummer, he did some great recording with Zappa amongst many others. Nice find!
Love 'Jane' thanks for your insights. So many battles in this band... perhaps the biggest one that you didn't mention was a physical attack by their drummer Donny Baldwin on Mickey Thomas after a gig in 1989, which left Mickey in hospital and requiring facial reconstruction surgery.
The best thing about this video is the cast member who is singing w/Grace - obviously the highpoint of his day!
121K !!!!! Congratulations to you! Whoop!!!!
Thanks Pam!
Freedom At Point Zero from which this song originates from was my fave album for quite a while and I still love it
Just to add, I always loved Craig Chaquico's guitar playing and his appearance. He really had the rock star looks.
Great review and breaking it down. My Favorite version of Jane by far.
Got to see Starship last July. It was great to hear Mickey live, what a voice. Thank you Fil!
What you saw was Starship featuring Mickey Thomas. Starship, the original hit-making band, ended in 1991. Thomas formed his own band to cover the songs Live in concert a couple of years after Starship ended.
@@48nature Thanks for the clarification.
@@Mrsournotes You are most welcome.