August 31, 2006
Hello fellow Airplaners:
I went through the past 2 days getting photos placed in the proper page sequence and hope that I will be able to use all 75 that I picked. Even though there are some that have aged, the historical value outweighs everything else. Not bad to have shots from 63-2006!!
Have a great Wednesday and thanks for all the emails at the website!!
Craig The Airplane Man
http://www.takemetoacirustent.net
August 30, 2006
Hi every Airplaner:
Yesterday I started to put the photos together for the book. I am doing everything possible to not have to leave any out due to page size restrictions. Wish me luck. I want all the fine Airplaners to enjoy as much product as possible.
Be well and I’m glad my dad is doing better.
All the best,
Craig The Airplane Man
August 28, 2006
Hi Airplaners:
Hope the weekend was great. My dad is doing better and is now closer to home. Let’s hope he is 100 percent in 10 days.
Did you ever think you could find gold these days? That’s what it felt like when I made the last entry for the book. It is a look at a gem of a gem. An Airplane demo for another record company (Not RCA) from 8/65 with Bob Harvey on bass.
Maybe today and Tuesday I will finalize the pictures and the proper spots for them. There are enough great ones that it will be hard saying no to any one shot.
Everyone be well,
Craig The Airplane Man
Craig Fenton
August 27, 2006
Saturday August 26th, 2006 is almost over and it was a day of getting the big picture.
Dad is doing better and that is the main shot on the screen. I got a bunch of the book photos today to place in the proper spot. This will be interesting to come up with a game plan so they are spread out but also look most optimum.
The 3rd picture is not one of viewing but one of words. I was really touched that two people I have never met or emailed, had placed a blurb about the book on the Jefferson Starship site and the 2400 Fulton Strret list. Thanks!! Thank you for all the emails already about the book.
Have a great Sunday
Craig the airplane man
August 26, 2006
Dad is doing better and that is priority 1. Before spending the day in the hospital with
him, I checked some of the amazing photos for the book. There were shots when Signe was in the band that may never have been seen before.
The nice thing about what they refer to as “Contact Sheets” is there may be 9 photos in 1. To go through 100’s of photos and attempt to narrow them down isn’t easy. The people are all major league photographers.
Hope you can stop by the website and watch it take off.
Enjoy Saturday,
Craig The Airplane Man
August 25, 2006
The last 48 hours were filled with the normal great things that go with the writing of a book. I got to speak with the Airplane Manager Bill Thompson and I needed to talk with Signe Anderson about a gift.
About 24 hours ago my dad ended up in the hospital. Before that talking with Signe she is a bit run down from some medical situations.
It really grasps at your throat how we like to think of our family and stage heroes as well as the athletes we cheer for, are indestructable and can not be harned. It becomes such a reality check when you see your dad have to spend even 1 second in a hospital.
As the book continues to take flight, a wish that dad and Signe”Feel So Good” soon.
All the best,
Craig Fenton
Craig The Airplane Man
August 23, 2006
Hi there:
I am so sorry that the first blog did not come through properly. A bunch of text got cut off on the right side.
Please visit the website for the most comprehensive Jefferson Airplane book ever for
text that is complete!! Thank you and happy Wednesday all:
August 23, 2006
It is with great honor and excitement that I can post about the most comprehensive book ever about the Jefferson Airplane:
Don’t take my word for it how about: “Craig Fenton knows so much about the Jefferson Airplane & Family, I was asking him the questions.” Marty Balin-July 2006.
Thank you Mr. Balin!
Take Me To A Circus Tent (The Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual) should be ready to flyMid October 2006. 33 real interviews not quotes, the most comprehensive information on the live and studio works of the band ever found. Enough photos to be a book in itself!! By world famous photographers!! Herb Greene (Took the photo for the Surrealistic Pillow cover), Don Aters (Chet Helms best friend and a legend with the lense for 40 years and some other surprises too. 265 questions and answers about the Airplane and Family. Not the same old. Please see the website for information
www.takemetoacircustent.net Please visit often for updates!!
Updates as more news breaks but here is a tease of what you can find:
Interviews thus far for “Take Me To A Circus Tent”
> Slick Aguilar (KBC, Jefferson Starship & Wooden Ships)
> Peter Albin (Big Brother & The Holding Company,
remembers Spencer Dryden & Janis Joplin)
> Signe Anderson (Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship)
> Kenny Aronoff (1989 Jefferson Airplane drummer)
> Don Aters (Famous rock and roll photographer,
remembers Chet Helms)
> Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship
& KBC)
> John Barbata (Jefferson Airplane & Jefferson Starship)
> Jesse Barish (Wrote St. Charles & Count On Me for
the Jefferson Starship and Hearts and Atlanta Lady
for Marty Balin)
> Nick Buck (Hot Tuna & SVT)
> Craig Chaquico (Steelwind & Jefferson Starship)
> Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead & appearances sitting in
with the Jefferson Starship)
> Joey Covington (Hot Tuna & Jefferson Airplane)
> Michael Falzarano (Hot Tuna)
> Barry Flast (Jefferson Starship)
> David Freiberg (Jefferson Airplane &
Jefferson Starship)
> Darby Gould (Jefferson Starship)
> Greg Douglass (Hot Tuna)
> Tim Gorman (KBC, Wooden Ships,
Jefferson Airplane 1989 reunion & Jefferson Starship)
> Bob Harvey (Original Jefferson Airplane bass-player)
> Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship,
KBC, &
Wooden Ships)
> Peter Kaukonen Hot Tuna, Jefferson Starship,
Jefferson Airplane 1989 reunion
(Gives a wonderful tribute to his parents)
> Diana Mangano (Jefferson Starship)
> Dennis McNally (Grateful Dead Publicist, and author)
Remembers those members of the Grateful Dead
we have lost
> Jerry Miller (Moby Grape, remembers Skip Spence
& talks about Moby Grape)
> Jerry Peloquin (Original Jefferson Airplane drummer)
> Sammy Piazza (Hot Tuna)
> Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship & Hot Tuna)
> Darby Slick (Great Society w/Grace Slick)
> Jerry Slick (Great Society w/Grace Slick)
> Mike Somavilla (Quicksilver Messenger Service
historian,organized Spencer Dryden Benefit,
and his company is responsible for many Bay Area
musicians releasing archival material)
> Bob Steeler (Hot Tuna)
> Jack Traylor (Steelwind with David Freiberg, and
Craig Chaquico, and songwriting and session work for
Paul Kantner and Grace Slick)
> Peter van Gelder (Great Society w/Grace Slick)
Why stop there? You can enjoy the most comprehensive look
at the live performances of the J.A.
ever available in any format!!
As an added bonus there are a look at the early works of Jorma,
including his playing with Janis Joplin.
Check out a different side of Marty Balin.
An extensive live and studio look at the Great Society
including songs not previously mentioned
and the real names for the two members that have
been forgotten.
Did you know they started out with 2 female singers?
Since this is a long flight, why not keep the
entertainment going. The J.A.studio vaults are opened.
You can learn about the Martha recording sessions,
the songs that were censored and those that never made
it to the record.
What about 266 questions that are answered about the J.A., Hot Tuna,
Jefferson Starship, KBC and Wooden Ships.
Sorry no Starship!!
J.A. & Family Stories:
During the terrific experience of interviewing members of the J.A. & Family countless stories were shared with me. I was fascinated how every musician regardless of the time spent in the J.A. Family had stories that never seemed to have previously been common knowledge. These can be found in either the interview section and or the Question & Answer segment.
These are in no specific order. They can all
be enjoyed in :
TAKE ME TO A CIRCUS TENT: THE J.A. FLIGHT MANUAL
Did you know that there was a female vocalist that tried out prior to Signe Anderson getting the job? (Signe didn’t have to try out). The person that brought the vocalist for the tryout would be part of a major band, and work with a legendary lead vocalist.
A Jefferson Starship member wrote a song for Janis Joplin. The tale of seeing it finally being released is rather humorous!
Maybe the most famous Airplane Family roadie tells a funny story how he broke the ice working for Jorma & Jack.
Would it surprise you that Paul McCartney was not the first to use the cool name Wings as a band? A one time Jefferson Airplane member had used it years prior to Paul’s great solo work.
What about two Jefferson Airplane members playing together for the first time in 37 years, and why there is not a recording of it!!
How about the J.A. auditioning for a legendary producer who keep his door closed while they performed?
What song did Hot Tuna perform for over 40 minutes?
How did Diana Mangano record one song for the Great Society in 2002 and they weren’t even in the studio for it?
Did you know that a Jefferson Airplane member played briefly with Paul Simon’s brother?
If you want to know the real story how Kenny Jones got to replace Keith Moon in The Who, it’s in the book and why?
Did you know the Airplane turned down a record deal prior to signing with RCA? Would you like to know the song they used to audition?
Which J.A. member asked that the band use double drummers to keep Spencer in the group?
Who did Pete Sears want as a repalcement when Marty left?
What fairly well known female singer did a friend of Craig Chaquico
suggest replace Grace in the Jefferson Starship when she needed time off?
These are only a small portion of what:
TAKE ME TO A CIRCUS TENT: THE J.A. FLIGHT MANUAL
is all about.
More stories soon. Thanks for flying J.A.
All the best,
Craig Fenton (Craig The Airplane Man)
August 23, 2006
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Jefferson Airplane Jefferson Starship Take Me To A Circus Tent New book by Craig Fenton 