Jefferson Airplane Jefferson Starship Take Me To A Circus Tent New book by Craig Fenton

Hi all and happy/safe new year:

I wanted to wish everyone the best for 2007 and a real large thanks for the past year.  I keep coming acorss sites where people that owe me nothing (I don’t even know them) have posted about my Jefferson Airplane book “Take Me To A Circus Tent.”  Then there are those that have constantly emailed me asking how my dad is feeling.  It is as if writing the book has created a larger family.  That is amazing!

Dad had a good last few days and let it be that way forever.

Thanks for supporting the book the last month and once dad is well there will be cool things set up for further promotion.

Please don’t drink and drive and be safe always,

Craig The Airplane Man

P.S. It’s time to visit dad.  Must run!

Hello all and early happy new year!

It is a tremendous experience to see reviews not only posted on the Airplane and Jefferson Starship boards, the publishers site but I saw one of the buyers of the book Rod Evans took the time to post something on the U.K. radio station XFM. 

As an author I try to use each day to do two things 1)Make sure dad is geting better 2)Market the book through emaails, posting boards, etc.

When people that have no relationship to me such as family or friend go out of their way to help with the promotion of the Jefferson Airplane book Take Me To A Circus Tent, all I can utter is a thank you 1 billion times.

A gentleman in the Chicago area Rick Smith did the same thing on the Oldies Music website.  He didn’t know me but was kind enough to list the book available with a picture of it and commented on the expertise that went along with it. 

You can spend a lot from an advertiseing budget but the best news I get is a positive review or post by somebody that I have never seen.

To all of you that have puchased the book Take Me To A Circus Tent in 2006, thank you so so much.  I hope it made your day a bit happier and you can look at it as a nice guide to all things Jefferson Airplane.  For those that are interested in getting it in 2007, thank you in advance.

An author doesn’t do a reader a favor.  The reader does the author a favor and so many of you fine people throughout the globe have done me the biggest favor yet.

As I leave now to see dad (He did better this week), have a safe and healthy new year and may all things good come to your door in 2007.

All the best,

Craig The Airplane Man

Take Me To A Circus Tent

Hello All Jeffson Fans:

Hope the holiday season has been great.  I have to share a non-musical experience with you and then tell about 3 cool rare audio files for you great folks.

My dad has been ill as you are aware.  Thanks to all those that ask how he is (Somewhat better, thanks).  Dad is in a rehab facility about 40 minutes from home.  I go there everyday at 3PM and sleep over so he is not alone.  Monday night the rain was so bad it looked like a Florida tropical storm.  For some unknown reason the hour + it took to get to dad the driving was the worst I have ever wittnessed.  People tailgatting every second, some had no lights on and many going so far over the speed limit they have not been able to calcualte the MPH.  That hour was worse than all other driving history!

Here is the cool news on the Airplaneman’s site www.takemetoacircustent.net go to the audio section and there are 2 Crown Of Creation rough mixes and a demo of Starship!

Enjoy and have the best day ever and please drive safely,

Airplane Man

Hi everyone:

I wanted to try to get an important point across, but first more importantly may the coming year be fantastic for you/friends/family.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write about something that I have such a passion for the book on the Jefferson Airplane-Take Me To A Circus Tent.

I got an email from a nice gentleman at Word Press that a couple of people were upset that in my blogs I put my website address.  I was really shocked about this.  For one I had always hoped if you are not spreading hate or violence and are not attempting to sell an unethical product, you should have a right to post anything.

The average book in the USA sells 2000 copies.  98 percent of all authors have a second job.  They write for a wide range of reasons. 

I take care of my dad (He has been ill for the past 13 weeks).  By writing the book it gave me an opportunity to spend almost every minute with him during the illness.  The reason for the heavy promotion is not only that I want to sell books, but if I can get the word out to as many people as possible, the opportunity may come where the book can provide me with the ability to stay with dad during 2007 and not worry about a stranger taking care of him.

There are situations that are not always on the surface.  I didn’t want to ever upset anybody.  I do want people to know the reason I go to such lengths to post as much as possible about the book/website.

During the last 6 months of writing the book I spent 7 days a week, 12 hours a day making sure it would get out on time and every part of the results were fan friendly.  I took 1 day off in over 24 weeks and didn’t think of it as work.  It was and is an honor to have interviewed 32 people of the Airplane and family of bands. 

I hope this gives a background to you that makes it easier to tolerate if John Doe or Jane Doe do something that may not please you.  It isn’t to try to get away with something or see how far they can stretch the rules.  Jane and John have a creation that is part of them forever.

Thanks for reading and may all of you be well always.

All the best for a greatttttttttttttttt day,

Craig The Airplane Man

Hi all:

Dad is doing a bit better, thanks for the emails!  Another real nice review today about the Jefferson Airplane book.  Thanks and great day wishes, CF

Take Me To A Circus Tent (The Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual) by Craig Fenton is a must for the holiday season and every one that follows. www.takemetoacircustent.net  Craig is a wizard when interviewing the members of the Airplane and family of spin-of bands.  His history of a former radi odisc-jockey comes into play as he always seems to get the most out of the artist and makes each person feel as if they were friends for years.  (Maybe they are).  The book will give you a great live history lesson and one of the studio stuff that didn’t get released.  It is full of pictures that can top any other San Francisco based publication both on volume 93 and rareness.  Right before page one of the book you will see a photo that has never surfaced before.  Autogrpahed by the band in the early days and Paul signs it “Paul Airplane.”  As a bonus it has Signe Anderson and Skip Spence.  Later on a mindbuster photo of the days with Jerry Peloquin and Bob Harvery (Before Skip Spence and  Jack Casady).  There is also over 250 questions and answers about the Airplane and Hot Tuna and the Jefferson Starship.  Craig went all out and the words put you right at the corner of Haight-Ashbury and the he can get you back to the 60’s with his special time machine.  I don’t write reviews for a living or claim to be in the music business, but for that very reason I think it is important to get insight from a typical Joe or Jane Airplane fan.  Take a look under the tent and make sure the book is under your tree or bush for the holiday season and 2007.  Thank you for the opportunity to post this and I’ll return to reading the book again.

Review 12/20/06 by “Old But Not In The Way.”

Hello there JS/JA people:

Hope the weekend is going great.  I always try to put some rare Airplane Family gems for you on the site.  If you would like to fly back to the Winter Of Love (Hey it sounded cool) March 10, 1967 to San Francisco, there will be a classic tune into an unreleased goody.

Enjoy and thanks for those that emailed about dad.  He is doing a bit better.

Have a greatttttttttttt day.
www.takemetoacircustent.net

 Thanks so much for the great reviews.  For US/Canadian customers you can get the book through ww.buybooksontheweb.com

My site is www.takemetoacircustent.net

For those outside the USA/Canada, www.amazon.com will ship to you fine folks all over the globe. 

Enjoy the book and the great reviews below!

Thanks so much and be well,

Craig The Airplane Man

Reviews:

The ultimate Airplane book for the ultimate band!
Reviewed by: Jeff R. Son (11/23/2006)
Take Me To A Circus Tent: A review by Jeff R. Son The 22nd of November, 2006 Writing letters or reviews isn’t something that is common for me, however in getting to read a sneak-peak of Mr. Fenton’s masterpiece I would be depriving Airplane fans of a must read. Authors often times seem to write what is hot, hip, or what the publisher tells them is the flavor of the month. Mr. Fenton’s words are from the heart. I have never seen any Airplane fan with this much knowledge and the ability to share it as if it is a long time friend talking to you. You can see how fan friendly he is by the attention to every detail. If you enjoy photos he gave over 90 and there are pictures that are so rare I bet the band members don’t even own them. If your bag is the music, the look at the 121 live performances and 60 unreleased songs/jams/tid-bits from the vaults could grow hair on a bald person. He left no stone unturned. References to riffs that were played for only a matter of seconds, song titles that before were never mentioned. He could have stopped there and taken a bow but there are 266 questions and answers that look not only at the Airplane but Hot Tuna, Jefferson Starship, KBC Band, & Wooden Ships. The information is a treasure chest. To top off the most exquisite meal Mr. Fenton finishes the book with 32 interviews. What he did was always make the most use out of the time afforded for the conversation. You can tell he didn’t even need notes to conduct the interviews, because often times the musicians asked him stuff! If seeing a photo of David Freiberg as a folk performer from 63 or a concert bill (1964) with original bass-player Bob Harvey, or a group photo without Jorma doesn’t excite you, simply turn to the interviews with Marty, Paul and even Signe Anderson. If that doesn’t get your attention why not look at the first and last time a song was ever performed by the band, or find out the history of the group through the eyes of the people that were there. If you are looking for a holiday gift for a friend, co-worker or family member you have found it. If you are like me and often get the worst holiday presents that will set under a bed or get returned, treat yourself to what is under the circus tent. I’ll go now because I want to look at some of the amazing photos of Grace from the Great Society days and alternate covers to the 2nd record.

It is the one-stop Airplane book of greatness
Reviewed by: Rod Evans (11/29/2006)
On an early November morning (11/28/06) the Airplane Express delivered Craig’s new book. My wife told me that I hadn’t been this excited about anything since her mom moved out of the house. Others have written books on the San Francisco bands, but Craig has created an “Encyclopedia.” I first went through the book for the photos. What an experience! To see so many pictures not in print before was enough to make the book worth double the price; however it didn’t stop there. I couldn’t believe the detail he went through to explain the terminology in the book and to make reading it for the Jefferson Family fan the most pleasurable experience possible. The interviews are done with such skill that I would match Craig’s ability to make the person he is talking with comfortable against any I have come across in my years as a rock and roll fan. Not only the comfort level, but also the ability to bring out such detail with all the musicians he spoke with. It wasn’t the same things that we read about since the 60’s. The story of one person attempting to get Janis Joplin to sing one of his songs really was a soap-opera. The question and answer portion will give new facts to the most hardcore individual. The information that Craig knows takes a back seat to nobody when it comes to the Airplane. Reading about the stuff Marty did with Bodacious D.F. and why they have that name as well as Jorma’s early works and Bob Harvey’s promo CD info was icing on the best tasting cake ever. For the holiday season think 1 gift first “Take Me To A Circus Tent.” There is something in the book, sorry the ENCYCLOPEDIA for all.

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WHAT A FANTASTIC BOOK! BW from the Jefferson Starship Board:

It’s a large soft-bound book that is easy to hold and flip the individual pages.  You can lay it down and both pages lay flat.  You don’t have to bend the binding.

BW

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To all Jefferson fans:  Craig’s book is 6 stars not 5!

From Wood N. Ships

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To all fans:  5 stars are not enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buy the book and spread the word, the Airplane Man has landed.

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Airplane Man reached the stars, 5 that is
Reviewed by: Sam Rotis (12/7/2006) *****
There have been only a handful of rock and roll books that I couldn’t put down over the years. Craig Fenton’s Take Me To A Circus Tent is the latest and best. It is an empire created with not only the mind and hands but with the heart. His fondness for the Airplane and spin-offs is easy to see from the start of the book. The layout is wonderful. Each chapter not only takes you on a flight to a specific year but is named after a part of a song that fits the theme. When you are done with the live and studio information the questions and answers and interview sections are something you can marvel at. Look how the questions aren’t the same 5 day old bread that have always been recycled. When it is time for the interviews I have never seen anyone do it better than Craig. It is one thing to be prepared, to be a fan, but Craig is so full of information it is great when the musicians ask if they did something or if he would send them the rarity. The Marty Balin interview is a Rollys Royce, the info from Signe was wonderful and getting the insight from 3 former Great Society members was a treat I never thought would happen. Not only the interviews but the photos of the band and the studio/live history. There are pictures in the book that are so special for their rare nature and beauty that I ask all you fine people to turn the pages slowly and soak in every second of the sunshine. It shines with a light of brilliance. I really respect that Craig didn’t forget about the Signe period. Although Grace is my favorite singer ever, Craig tells a nice story of the early days with some photos that you’ll love and the info about a few of the live dates, recording sessions, etc. Get 2 copies of the book. One for yourself and one for the old Airplane fan that you may not see hanging around the Jefferson Airplane or Jefferson starship boards but who still longs for the day when rock and roll was played with skill and lyrics were memorable. Craig you are really the Airplane Man and I hope the book Takes Off and all dreams are realized. Buy the book, buy the book and buy the book.

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5 STARS *****

Wednesday the Airplane book by Craig Fenton called Take Me To A Circus Tent came and it is the most detailed book I have ever read about any American music band.  Why? The details excel not in 1 portion of the book but all that Craig used to construct.  He points out for the live portion even if a riff of a song got played, the studio unreleased portion opens the door to the massive music hiding from us all these years, the photos out number any music book you can think of and the interviews don’t waste time with why somebody doesn’t date their highscool sweetheart anymore.  The information Craig gets out of the different people is an A+.

To Craig thanks for giving me a reason to miss going to my loud and off the wall sister-in-law’s house.  I told the wife that I was doing a book review.  Craig I owe you a 50.00 steak for getting me out of seeing her run her mouth every second for no reason.

Hi all:

Love,
Craig

Thanks for the opportunity to introduce myself Craig Fenton and the book that had 30 years of research “Take Me To A Circus Tent.”

Tomorrow is 3 years since mom passed away and the book is dedicated to mom and dad (May you live forever).  Thank you everyone and happy and safe holidays, Craig The Airplane Man  

The
Jefferson Airplane book has finally landed!!  The most comprehensive J.A. music publication ever.  Please see several 5 star reviews below, as well as a look inside the publication. 

Reviews:

If you are into photos, 93 many never seen before! 

“Take Me To A Circus Tent” (The
Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual) 

can be purchased starting November 27th for the
U.S.A. and Canadian markets.  Before it is available on Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc you can get it first and faster (always) by going to www.buybooksontheweb.com  Please type in either the book title or Craig Fenton.  You can also order toll free in the
U.S.A. Monday-Friday eastern time 9:15AM-4PM at1-877-289-2665.   If you are out of the toll free zone in
Canada and parts of
Pennsylvania please call 1-610-941-9999.  

For the great people around the globe in the other nations, Amazon
U.K. should have the listing in about 14 days as well as the international distributor Ingram.   

If you have any trouble finding the book outside of the
U.S.A. and
Canada please write to me at the address on my website www.takemetoacircustent.net, and I will make sure that the book will find you!!  

For any of the book shops, gift shops, music retailers, etc you can set up arrangements to carry the book through Michelle Shane at:1-877-289-2665 or 1-610-941-9999.  Monday-Friday eastern time 9:15AM-4PM    

“Craig Fenton knows so much about the Jefferson Airplane and family, I was asking him the questions.”  Marty Balin-July 2006. 

“Craig, since you are such a fan of the 60’s music I’m giving you this piece of information first.”  Jerry Miller-Moby Grape. 

“Your brain is all full of amazing Airplane facts.”  Kenny Aronoff-Airplane Drummer 1989. 

“As a real fan and one so knowledgeable, you’ll enjoy this story.”  Sammy Piazza-Hot Tuna drummer.  (Before giving me his exclusive remembrance of a J.A. recording). 

93 Photos (Starting from 1963) including many never in print before, and possibly the 2 rarest Airplane pictures ever, one with Bob Harvey & Jerry Peloquin in the band from 1965 and the other an autographed photo from early 1966 with Skip Spence, Paul signs his name “Paul Airplane.”  266 Questions & Answers are examined from the Airplane & Family.  These are not the same old of the same old!  121 live shows are documented with complete and accurate information.  All the obscure songs and jams finally have titles.  All special guests are mentioned and the first and last time the song is performed is noted.  60 unreleased gems from the studio vaults are explored, including the 1965 
Columbia (That is correct) demo with Bob Harvey! 

Interviews 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, 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 the Spencer Dryden Benefit,

and is responsible for many Bay Area musicians

releasing archival material)

Bob Steeler (Hot Tuna)

Jack Traylor (Steelwind with David Freiberg, and Craig Chaquico,

songwriting and session work for Paul Kantner and Grace Slick)

Peter van Gelder (Great Society w/Grace Slick)

There was a female vocalist that tried out prior to Signe Anderson getting the job? The person that brought the vocalist for the audition would be part of a major band, and work with a legendary lead vocalist.A
Jefferson Starship member wrote a song for Janis Joplin.  Why did it take so long to be released?Would it surprise you that Paul McCartney was not the first to use the cool name Wings as a band?  A
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 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?What song did Hot Tuna perform for over 40 minutes?Which
Jefferson Airplane member was asked to be part of Steve Miller’s band in 1970? 

Which two non
Jefferson Airplane drummers are uncredited for their appearance on the studio version of Feel So Good?Which Hot Tuna member was asked to be an original member of ZZ Top?Which song performed by Grace Slick and the Great Society did The
Jefferson Airplane decide not to record?Which one time
Jefferson Airplane member was asked about coming back to the band circa 1967-1968?Which Hot Tuna member almost became part of Fleetwood Mac in the mid-seventies? 

Which songs have all been performed by the
Jefferson Airplane,
Jefferson Starship, and Hot Tuna? 

When did Signe Anderson and Spencer Dryden play together? 

Besides playing the entire album live what were the other twenty-seven songs the KBC performed on stage.Which J.A. member did Skip Spence reunite with 31 years later?What
Jefferson Starship song did the
Jefferson Airplane rehearse for the 1989 reunion tour and not perform? 

Which drummer was waiting in the wings in case Spencer Dryden wasn’t well enough to perform at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? 

What songs did Signe Anderson and Skip Spence play in 1965 at Skips’ home and which Rolling Stones masterpiece was covered? 

What song did both Paul Kantner’s Wooden Ships and Emerson, Lake & Palmer both perform as an encore? 

Marty Balin: “One night Jorma, Jack, and a great player from
England named Graham Bond (Played with Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker, before they went on to Cream) are jamming in the studio.  Joey Covington and I are sitting around.  Joey suggests we go see an old violin-player in
Los Angeles.  This old guy plays Somewhere Over The Rainbow; it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  So then we take him back to the studio.  I insisted that he play with Jorma, Jack, and Grand Bond.  (If only that tape circulated).  He was funny.  He told us all the time you guys are too loud.  He couldn’t stand the volume, none of us could.  He was great, what an experience playing with him.  One time I had a friend staying over the house from R.C.A. Records.  He was showing me stride piano (Mostly a jazz technique, that was invented in Harlem, New York City in 1919).  One day Papa John comes over and brings Eubie Blake (A ragtime piano legend) along.  He had to be in his ninety’s at the time (He lived to one hundred).  Eubie starts to play the piano.  Papa John had his fiddle.  All day they are playing.  Eubie would tell Papa John to slow down son.” 

Thanks to Don Aters, Rick Martin and Mike Somavilla and all the fine Airplane fans for making it all possible! 

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