Pop and Rock Star Deaths in 2018

Jefferson Airplane, 1967: (from left, standing) Marty Balin and Grace Slick; (sitting) Jorma Kaukonen, Paul Kantner, Spencer Dryden and Jack Casady


Marty Balin

Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship

Position: singer-songwriter/guitarist

Died: Sept. 28

Cause of death: heart failure

Age: 76

Distinction: Co-founded Jefferson Airplane with Paul Kantner in 1965 in San Francisco and was also a key member of Jefferson Starship, for whom he wote "Miracles" (No. 3, 1975). He was beaten by Hells Angels at the Altamont Festival in 1969. The Airplane were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.