Signe Toly Anderson, Original Jefferson Airplane Member, Dies at 74

Original member and former singer of Jefferson Airplane, Signe Toly Anderson died Jan. 28, the same day as bandmate Paul Kantner.

Anderson had reportedly dealt with multiple health issues and was in hospice care immediately before her death. She was 74, according to SPIN.

In a statement on Facebook, Jefferson Airplane member Marty Balin wrote: “One sweet lady has passed on. I imagine that she and Paul woke up in heaven and said ‘Hey, what are you doing here?’ Let’s start a band’ and no sooner than said Spencer was there was there joining in! Heartfelt thoughts to all their family and loved ones.”

Spencer Dryden was the drummer of Jefferson Airplane who died in 2005.

Anderson was the singer on the band's first album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, and is remembered for her vocal work on “Chauffer Blues.” She last performed with the band in 1966 at the Fillmore in San Francisco before being replaced by Grace Slick. Following her departure from Jefferson Airplane, Anderson was the singer for Carl Smith and the Natural Gas Company for nine years.

Kantner passed away from septic shock and organ failure. He is remembered as being an influential figure in San Francisco.

“Paul was a key architect in the development of what became known as the San Francisco sound,” Neil Portnow, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, told the LA Times. “The music community has lost a true icon, and we share our deepest condolences with Paul’s family and friends.”