John Barbata Drummer, 1972 - 1978.

Name:	John Barbata
Born:	April 1, 1945, Passaic, NJ.

Biography:
While at San Luis Obispo (CA) High School, he started drumming in a band called the Sentinals, who recorded two albums before he graduated in 1964. In 1966, he joined the Strangers with Joel Scott Hill (later of Canned Heat) and Bob Mosley (later with Moby Grape). He then joined the Turtles from 1966 to 1969, and then Crosby Stills Nash & Young (1970). He also became an in-demand sessions musician, appearing on some 60 albums up to 1975 by Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Dave Mason and others.

When Joey Covington quit the Airplane in 1972, David Crosby reccommended John Barbata as a replacement, and he appeared on "Long John Silver", as well as the live "Thirty Seconds Over Winterland". When the Airplane collapsed in 1972, he continued working with Kantner and Slick, appearing on their solo projects, before becoming the original drummer for Jefferson Starship.

He drummed for the band all through the multi-million selling 1970's, but was forced to leave the band following a serious road accident in October 1978, in which he was badly hurt and his passenger died. By the time he recovered from his injuries, he had been replaced by Aynsley Dunbar. He subsequently went on to form a band with Spirit Bassist Alex Staehely, and later returned to session work. He now lives in Oklahoma, and still plays the drums regularly.

Select Discography:
All Jefferson Airplane & Jefferson Starship releases, 1972 - 1978