Sad News: M.B. Has Passed

76-yr. old Marty Balin, né Martyn Jerel Buchwald, that is. Who'd you think?Always liked this one, in large part due to Balin's voice."It's No Secret" - Jefferson AirplaneThe Airplane was always the best of the '60s San Francisco bands. (Surrealistic Pillow was the first slab of vinyl for which I shelled out my own hard-stolen moolah.) 'Though it's fair to note there was little local competition beyond the Dreadful Grate.

M.B. wrote this one as well, & it happens to be another of this reporter's faves, in large part due to the bass line; better exemplified here, but I've never heard this one before."Plastic Fantastic Lover" - Jefferson AirplaneMr. Balin died in Tampa, Florida. We hope it was quick.