Balin played a key role in the development of the West Coast rock scene, going on to further success with Jefferson Starship and as a solo artist.
The rise of Classic Rock in the 60s was nurtured with bands travelling across the Atlantic to play for crowds who saw music as something more than just pop.
After Paul Kantner's death on 28 January comes news that his fellow early member of Jefferson Airplane, Signe Anderson, died on the same day, also at 74.
Paul Kantner, a founding member of 1960s psychedelic rock figureheads Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, died yesterday (28) at the age of 74.