In Tampa, Morrongiello befriended Jefferson Starship founder Marty Balin, who had embarked on a solo career. “I was his guitar player from 2009 to 2018 when he passed away,” Morrongiello said.

Marty Balin, whose tenor voice provided hits for the '60s psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane, has died, his publicist and family said in a statement. Balin was 76.

Journeying on the Airplane Marty Balin’s career in music got started even before his first burst of fame with the Jefferson Airplane, as he released a few singles in the early ‘60s as a solo act.

Marty Balin, a co-founder of the legendary rock band Jefferson Airplane whose soulful tenor gave the band its distinctive sound, has died at the age of 76, his representative said on Friday.