Rhino Entertainment announced a new acquisition deal that includes the rights to the legendary Jefferson Starship and Starship catalog, as well as Grace Slick's solo albums, selected Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna releases, Paul Kantner and David Freiberg solo recordings, and other gems from Grunt Records' vault. Rhino promises "a plethora of physical and digital titles" on the way.
The agreement includes music that spans more than 20 years: from Jefferson Airplane's Long John Silver (1972) to Starship's 1991 compilation Greatest Hits (Ten Years and Change, 1979-1991). In those twenty years, the Jefferson Airplane family underwent numerous changes. In 1972, the group went on hiatus. In the interim, bassist Jack Casady and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen continued on with their side project, Hot Tuna, releasing five albums over five years, including their first studio effort, Burgers (1972).
The following year, lead vocalist Grace Slick released her first of four solo albums, Manhole. That same year, she teamed up with bandmate Paul Kantner to form Jefferson Starship, which featured other Airplane alumni such as David Freiberg, Papa John Creach, and John Barbata, as well as guitarist Craig Chaquico. In 1975, Marty Balin, founidng member of Jefferson Airplane, joined the group. They released eight albums from 1974 to 1984, which included a number of successful singles, including "Count On Me," "Jane," "Find Your Way Back, and "Miracles" from their 1975 2x-Platinum #1 album Red Octopus.
In 1985, Slick, Chaquico, Mickey Thomas, Pete Sears, and Donny Baldwin changed direction and their name. Now christened Starship, the band would go on to record three albums, including their Platinum-selling debut, Knee Deep In the Hoopla. With its iconic #1 hit singles "Sara" and "We Built This City," it became one of the defining albums of the decade.
Now, as part of Rhino's acquisition deal, more than 25 classic albums from the Jefferson family tree have found a new home under one roof and are now available on digital download and streaming services. Some, such as Grace Slick's solo albums, have never been available digitally before.
"We're real happy to have Rhino take over so much of our catalog," said bassist Jack Casady in the press release. "They have an avid interest in keeping all the great music from our youth relevant and we look forward to a great relationship and all that will manifest."
"With Rhino's awesome track record of bona fides I am thrilled that they will be shepherding the re-releases of so much of our catalog," added bandmate Jorma Kaukonen. "I can think of no better record company to handle this task."
As part of the roll-out, Rhino has released a brand-new digital compilation, Starship Enterprise: The Best Of Jefferson Starship & Starship. The collection brings together 20 tracks from across the bands' recorded legacy and is available now on digital download and streaming services.
Scroll down for all the details on Starship Enterprise: The Best of Jefferson Starship and Starship, as well as a partial list of the albums included in the deal, all of which are now available on digital and streaming services.
Jefferson Starship/Starship, Starship Enterprise: The Best Of Jefferson Starship & Starship (Rhino, 2019) (Amazon U.S.)
1. "Ride The Tiger" - Jefferson Starship
2. "Caroline" - Jefferson Starship
3. "Fast Buck Freddie" - Jefferson Starship
4. "Miracles" - Jefferson Starship
5. "Play On Love" - Jefferson Starship
6. "With Your Love" - Jefferson Starship
7. "Count On Me" - Jefferson Starship
8. "Runaway" - Jefferson Starship
9. "Jane" - Jefferson Starship
10. "Rock Music" - Jefferson Starship
11. "Find Your Way Back" - Jefferson Starship
12. "Layin' It On The Line" - Jefferson Starship
13. "No Way Out" - Jefferson Starship
14. "We Built This City" - Starship
15. "Sara" - Starship
16. "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" - Starship
17. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" - Starship
18. "It's Not Over ('Til It's Over)" - Starship
19. "Set The Night to Music" - Starship
20. "It's Not Enough" - Starship
Tracks 1 and 2 from Dragon Fly, originally Grunt LP BFL1-0717, 1974.
Tracks 3-5 from Red Octopus, originally Grunt LP BFL1-0999, 1975.
Track 6 from Spitfire, originally Grunt LP BFL1-1557, 1976.
Tracks 7 and 8 from Earth, originally Grunt LP BXL1-2515, 1978.
Tracks 9 and 10 from Freedom At Point Zero, originally Grunt LP BZK1-3452, 1979.
Track 11 from Modern Times, originally Grunt LP BZL1-3848, 1981.
Tracks 12 and 13 from Nuclear Furniture, originally Grunt LP BXL1-4921, 1984.
Tracks 14-16 from Knee Deep In The Hoopla, originally Grunt LP BXL1-5488, 1985.
Tracks 17-19 from No Protection, originally Grunt CD 6413-2-G, 1987.
Track 20 from Love Among The Cannibals, originally RCD CD 9693-2-R, 1989.
A partial list of albums included in the deal, all of which are now available digitally:
Jefferson Airplane
Long John Silver (1972)
Thirty Seconds Over Winterland (1973)
Jefferson Starship
Dragon Fly (1974)
Red Octopus (1975)
Spitfire (1976)
Earth (1978)
Gold (1979)
Freedom At Point Zero (1979)
Modern Times (1981)
Winds Of Change (1982)
Nuclear Furniture (1984)
Starship
Knee Deep In The Hoopla (1985)
No Protection (1987)
Love Among The Cannibals (1989)
Greatest Hits (Ten Years & Change 1979-1991) (1991)
Hot Tuna
Burgers (1972)
The Phosphorescent Rat (1974)
America's Choice (1975)
Yellow Fever (1975)
Hoppkorv (1976)
Grace Slick
Manhole (1974)
Dreams (1980)
Welcome To The Wrecking Ball! (1981)
Software (1984)
Paul Kantner/Grace Slick/David Frieberg
Baron Von Tollbooth & The Chrome Nun (1973)
Galley says
How crazy is it that RCA has never released Modern Times on CD in the U.S.? All we have the extremely rare Japanese pressing and the Friday Music two-fer.
Robert W Lett says
I hope do a proper upgraded physical career box set, way overdue.
Thomas Seering says
Once Jorma an Jack left the airplane thank God, that band was done IMA.love Hot Tuna an its awesome that J an J have stayed together for so long
Leonard Shark says
AGREE!! WILL BE SEEING THEM ACOUSTIC AT THE TABERNACLE iN MARCH FOR JACKS BIRTHDAY, AND ELECTRIC AT THE CAPITOL IN AUGUST. 2 OF THE BEST EVER TO W THE LK ON A STAGE.
HOT F'IN TUNA.
Shaun says
No PERRO?
That was really all I was interested in here. Bummer.
Marie says
Any of the Marty Balins solo albums ?
Sam Stone says
Hi Marie, thanks for reading. Rhino’s new acquisition covers mainly releases that were released on Grunt Records. Marty’s 1980s solo albums were on EMI America and aren’t part of the new deal. They’re long overdue for a reissue — hopefully one of the third-party labels can reissue them. Thanks again for reading!
Christopher Heinig says
Marty Balin's 'Bodacious' is on Grunt, correct ? Never listened to the album.
Thank you for all of this great news.
Marie says
I had a feeling it was mainly the Grunt Record releases. I actually got a copy of a double cd reissue of Marty's "Balin" and "lucky" and according to the amazon page, this was an import. some of his other cds are being sold at a costly amount or are not available.
While he was in and out of the Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship, for me it was his song writing and vocals (but of course I loved Grace Slick's work in the early days of the Jefferson Airplane!) that I especially loved.
I had started obsessing over the band (and Marty) again last year and started collecting the cds that I had neglected to get years ago. FINALLY got a copy of Surrealistic Pillow back in late 2017... grew up on this music!
Perry Rice says
Sunfighter? (Kantner/Slick/Freiberg)
Some live stuff would be cool
ROBERT WILLIAMS says
Paul Kantner/Grace Slick/David Frieberg
Baron Von Tollbooth & The Chrome Nun (1973) !!!
Where are their other 2, "Sunfighter" & "Blows Against the Empire"?
Hal says
BLOWS, unfortunately, is on RCA and not Grunt IIRC.
Robert says
No White Rabbit?
J says
Sam
This same group of records was most recently in the possession of Culture Factory Records who roundly criticized for their Brick Wall approach to remastering these titles. I just looked @ their website & there are 10 Tunas & 10 Airplane titles. Will these now be remastered by Rhino?
Thanx
J
Dara Crockett says
Craig Chaquico is notably on lead guitar on EVERY single one of these hits, as well as writing/co-writing many of them! A common thread, I'd say!
Hal Broome says
This may be why, Dara:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-music-jefferson-starship/jefferson-starship-members-settle-lawsuit-over-band-name-idUSKBN1O32IF?fbclid=IwAR0ZG4o5FHB8cFhSj3KTQRL18hYT4VFOIO3N3QK2Bj8sIuY1NH9hkwSaEeQ
Marc says
Hi Sam, What about the Papa John records - I hope they're included
Fletch says
I'm glad they included 'Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight'. I always thought it was a strong song that should be more well known. That CD cover though.... C'mon Rhino - it could be mistaken for one of those budget-bin CD's of 'sound alike' hits by a band.
Fletch says
I see Warner released this month, "Starship: The Complete Albums 1985-1989: