Paul Kantner

Who Is Paul Kantner? Age, Biography and Wiki

Paul Kantner was born on March 17, 1941, in San Francisco, California. He became widely recognized as a major force in the American rock music scene, particularly as a founding member of the legendary band Jefferson Airplane. His innovative blend of rock with psychedelic sounds and social commentary distinguished him as a prominent figure in the counter-culture music movement of the 1960s. Kantner's contributions extended beyond the band; he was involved in various musical projects and collaborations throughout his life.

Though he passed away on January 28, 2016, his influence on music and culture remains enduring. In 2025, Kantner’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and fans alike.

Occupation	Rock Singer
Date of Birth	March 17, 1941
Age	74 Years
Birth Place	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Horoscope	Pisces
Country	U.S
Date of death	28 January, 2016
Died Place	N/A

Popularity

Height, Weight & Measurements

While Paul Kantner's exact height and weight were not publicly documented, he was typically regarded as someone with a slender build that was common among rock musicians of his era. His style often reflected the laid-back vibe of the 1960s, blending the aesthetics of both rock and bohemian cultures.

Despite its commercial success, the Airplane was plagued by intra-group fighting, causing the band to begin splintering at the height of its success. This was exacerbated by manager Bill Graham, who prodded the group to do more touring and more recording.

During the transitional period of the early 1970s, as the Airplane started to come apart, Kantner recorded Blows Against The Empire, a concept album featuring an ad hoc group of musicians whom he dubbed Jefferson Starship.

This earliest edition of Jefferson Starship included members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (David Crosby and Graham Nash) and the Grateful Dead (Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart) alongside some of the other members of Jefferson Airplane (Grace Slick, Joey Covington and Jack Casady).

Family, Dating & Relationship Status

Paul Kantner was known for his long-term relationships, most notably with fellow band member Grace Slick. The two shared a profound connection that shaped not just their personal lives but also contributed to the music of Jefferson Airplane. Over the years, Kantner had several significant relationships, though details about his dating life in his later years were kept relatively private. While he was never married, his connections with various women in the music industry were well-documented, representing a more bohemian lifestyle typical of the era.

Kantner had a half-brother and a half-sister by his father's first marriage, both much older than he. His father was of German descent, and his mother was of French and German ancestry. His mother died when he was eight years old, and Kantner remembered that he was not allowed to attend her funeral; his father sent him to the circus instead.

Net Worth and Salary

At the time of his passing in 2016, Paul Kantner had an estimated net worth of around $2 million. His wealth stemmed from his successful music career, which included record sales, concert tours, and royalties. Given the ongoing popularity of Jefferson Airplane’s music, his estate continues to generate income through licensing and re-releases of classic albums.

Career, Business and Investments

Paul Kantner's career in music spans several decades, having co-founded Jefferson Airplane in 1965. The band’s debut album, "Takes Off," laid the groundwork for their incredible success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including hits like "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit." Kantner later formed Jefferson Starship, continuing to push musical boundaries and achieving commercial success.

Kantner was also known for his political activism, often using his music to reflect social issues of the time. Apart from music, he did engage in various investments related to the music industry, although these were not extensively publicized.

Paul Lorin Kantner (March 17, 1941 – January 28, 2016) was an American rock musician. He is best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and a secondary vocalist of Jefferson Airplane, a leading psychedelic rock band of the counterculture era. He continued these roles as a member of Jefferson Starship, Jefferson Airplane's successor band.

Social Network

Paul Kantner exemplified the connection between artists and their fans, engaging with social networks of his time, though social media as we know it today was not part of his era. However, after his death, his legacy has been celebrated on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, where fans share their memories and tributes.

In October 1980, Kantner was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in serious condition from a cerebral hemorrhage. Kantner had been working in Los Angeles on an album when he became ill. He was 39 years old at the time and beat considerable odds with a full recovery without surgery.

A year later, Kantner talked about the experience, saying, "If there was a Big Guy up there willing to talk to me, I was willing to listen. But nothing happened.

It was all just like a small vacation." It was his second brush with serious illness or injury, having suffered a serious motorcycle accident in the early 1960s: "I hit a tree at 40 miles an hour head first and nearly shattered my skull.

I had a plate in there for a while." The injury from the motorcycle accident was credited with saving Kantner from serious complications from the cerebral hemorrhage; the hole left by the accident relieved the accompanying cranial pressure.

Education

Paul Kantner attended the San Francisco State University briefly before diving into the burgeoning music scene in the Bay Area. His education played a role in shaping his worldview and musical expression, cultivating a critical understanding of the social issues that influenced his artistry.

In summary, Paul Kantner remains an influential figure in rock music history, creating a rich legacy that continues to resonate in popular culture long after his passing. His artistic journey, interpersonal relationships, and commitment to music have left an indelible mark on generations of musicians and fans alike.

After graduating from Saint Mary's College High School, he attended the University of Santa Clara (where he first befriended classmate Jorma Kaukonen) and San Jose State College (now San José State University), completing three years of coursework before dropping out to enter the music scene.

For a while, he shared a communal house in Venice, Los Angeles with several other folk singers who would subsequently transition to rock, including David Crosby and David Freiberg.