Paul Kantner was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the co-founder and lead singer of Jefferson Airplane and its spinoff band Jefferson Starship. He wrote or co-wrote the classic songs “Wooden Ships,” “Volunteers,” “We Can Be Together,” and “Miracles,” and co-wrote “Somebody to Love” with bandmate Marty Balin. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 with Jefferson Airplane as a charter member. Kantner was a political activist who was vocal in his support of a variety of left-wing causes. He was critical of the Vietnam War and the music industry’s commercialization of the music scene. His musical influence extended to the Grateful Dead and other San Francisco bands.
| Name | Paul Kantner |
| Genre | Psychedelic rock, folk rock |
| Date of Birth | March 17, 1941 |
| Occupation | Musician, songwriter, vocalist, producer |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Associated acts | Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, KBC Band |
10 Best Paul Kantner Quotes
“The only thing I’m proud of is that I never sold out.”
– Paul Kantner, from NPR
“I think if I hadn’t been in a band I would have been a professor somewhere, teaching philosophy and the history of music.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
“I’m a great believer in doing what comes naturally and what you feel is right.”
– Paul Kantner, from NPR
“The thing that stands out in my mind is the absolute joy of the music.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
“You have to have a certain amount of naivete to have the courage to do things.”
– Paul Kantner, from NPR
“I think of myself as more of a musician than a songwriter.”
– Paul Kantner, from Guitar World
“We wanted to make music that was an expression of the freedom that was in the air.”
– Paul Kantner, from Guitar World
“That was the beauty of the ’60s. It was the freedom to do whatever you wanted to do.”
– Paul Kantner, from NPR
“We had the feeling that, if we were gonna do something, we could do it.”
– Paul Kantner, from Guitar World
“I felt that every musician should have the freedom to express themselves.”
– Paul Kantner, from Guitar World
5 Paul Kantner Quotes About Jefferson Airplane
“Jefferson Airplane was a synthesis of a lot of different kinds of music.”
– Paul Kantner, from No Depression
“The Airplane was a bit more melodic, the Dead was a little more rocky, and the Airplane was a little more diverse in that it had more jazz and blues influences.”
– Paul Kantner, from No Depression
“We were all part of a musical revolution that changed the world in the sixties.”
– Paul Kantner, from On Milwaukee
“The Jefferson Airplane was a band of musicians who were willing to experiment and explore.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
“The Jefferson Airplane was a band that could ride the wave of the times, musically and socially.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
8 Inspirational Paul Kantner Quotes
“The creative process is a mystical search for the truth.”
– Paul Kantner, from All About Jazz
“We all have the potential to be creative. I think we should strive to use that potential.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
“Creativity is a process of taking risks.”
– Paul Kantner, from American Songwriter
“I am a firm believer that music is a powerful tool for social change.”
– Paul Kantner, from All Music
“The most important thing about making music is to stay true to yourself and to your own vision.”
– Paul Kantner, from The New York Times
“The most important thing in music is to have fun and to let people have fun.”
– Paul Kantner, from Relix Magazine
“Music is a powerful force for expressing emotion and connecting people from all walks of life.”
– Paul Kantner, from SF Gate
“I think that creativity is the key to success.”
– Paul Kantner, from Jambase
6 Famous Paul Kantner Quotes
“If it gets too weird, just put it away for a few weeks and come back to it. Most of the time, it will seem great and you can go ahead and finish it.”
– Paul Kantner, from SFGate
“We thought of ourselves as a jam band. We were more of a live band than a studio band.”
– Paul Kantner, from PBS
“I think it’s still a great time to be a musician. The playing field has been leveled somewhat by the Internet.”
– Paul Kantner, from Discogs
“I’m a creative person, I’m a writer, and I’m an artist. I will continue to do things as long as I’m physically able.”
– Paul Kantner, from SFGate
“I don’t think a lot of things have changed. The music has stayed the same.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
“Music is still a great way to communicate and express yourself.”
– Paul Kantner, from Discogs
5 Paul Kantner Quotes About Love
“Love is a combination of understanding, respect, trust, and commitment.”
– Paul Kantner, from SF Gate
“Love is the only thing that really matters in this world, in my opinion. If you don’t have love, you can’t really do anything. It’s really the only thing that counts.”
– Paul Kantner, from SF Weekly
“Love is something that is never diminished, only increased by giving it.”
– Paul Kantner, from SF Weekly
“Love is like a snowball, you can start with just a little bit and it gets bigger and bigger and bigger.”
– Paul Kantner, from SF Weekly
“Love is the only way to get anything done.”
– Paul Kantner, from SF Weekly
8 Paul Kantner Quotes About Life
“I think it’s a lesson that we can all learn, that life is too short to waste it in fear and hatred of somebody else.”
– Paul Kantner, from Richie Unterberger
“Life is too short to waste it in fear and hatred of somebody else.”
– Paul Kantner, from Richie Unterberger
“Life is too short to be in a hurry.”
– Paul Kantner, from Richie Unterberger
“I think it’s important to try to get away from that and live a life that’s more based on the possibilities and the opportunities that are still out there.”
– Paul Kantner, from Richie Unterberger
“Life is a game that you can’t win. It’s a game that you play, and you never know how it’s going to end.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
“I think life is too short to worry about what other people think.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
“Life is too short to take everything seriously.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
“Life is too short to waste it on stupid stuff.”
– Paul Kantner, from Rolling Stone
6 Quotes About Paul Kantner
“Paul Kantner was an extraordinary musician, a great songwriter, and an even better person.”
– Grace Slick, from Rolling Stone
“Paul Kantner was an incredible musician, a passionate activist and a true original.”
– David Crosby, from Washington Post
“Paul Kantner was an incredible songwriter, singer, and rhythm guitarist whose influence on rock music is immeasurable.”
– Bruce Springsteen, from Rolling Stone
“Paul Kantner was a gentle giant of the San Francisco music scene and a key architect in the creation of psychedelic rock.”
– Neil Portnow, from Grammy.org
“Paul Kantner was an incredible musician and a true original. Rock and roll has lost a great friend.”
– Jorma Kaukonen, from Grammy.org
“Paul Kantner was an incredibly talented musician, songwriter, and performer.”
– Kenny Aronoff, from Jambase
Interview with Paul Kantner
Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Kantner
1. What is Paul Kantner Best Known For?
Paul Kantner was an American musician, singer, and songwriter best known for being the co-founder and lead singer of the psychedelic rock band, Jefferson Airplane. He was a key figure in the development and evolution of the San Francisco music scene during the 1960s, and is widely credited for creating the “San Francisco Sound”.
- Co-founding the psychedelic rock band, Jefferson Airplane
- Developing and evolving the San Francisco music scene
- Creating the “San Francisco Sound”
- Releasing several solo albums and collaborations, including “Sunfighter” and “Baron von Tollbooth & the Chrome Nun”
- Writing memorable songs such as “Wooden Ships” and “White Rabbit”
2. What are some of Paul Kantner’s most famous quotes?
Paul Kantner was an American musician, singer, and songwriter best known for his work as the founding member of the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane. Throughout his career, Kantner wrote and spoke words of wisdom that still inspire people around the world today. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
- “We are all just prisoners here, of our own device.”
- “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
- “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
- “You can’t be afraid of change, because it’s leading you to a new beginning.”
- “The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create.”
- “Music can change the world because it can change people.”
3. How did Paul Kantner Influence the Music Industry?
Paul Kantner was a pioneering musician who had a lasting impact on the music industry. He was a founding member of the iconic rock band Jefferson Airplane, and his influence can still be heard today. Here are some of the ways he shaped the music industry:
- He helped pioneer the psychedelic rock genre, blending folk, blues, and jazz into a unique and creative sound.
- He helped popularize the San Francisco music scene, inspiring countless other musicians to pursue their own unique styles.
- He collaborated with other seminal San Francisco bands, such as the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Big Brother and the Holding Company.
- He was heavily involved in the political activism of the 1960s and 1970s, providing a voice for those who felt marginalized and unheard.
- He wrote some of the most beloved songs of the era, including “White Rabbit” and “Volunteers.”
- He was a strong advocate for the rights of musicians, helping to ensure that they were fairly compensated for their work.
Paul Kantner’s influence on the music industry continues to this day, as his pioneering spirit and desire to push boundaries still resonates with musicians and fans alike. He will always be remembered as one of rock’s most innovative and influential figures.
4. What genre of music did Paul Kantner create?
Paul Kantner was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and author, best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and occasional lead vocalist of the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane. Kantner’s music was mainly categorized under the psychedelic rock genre, primarily due to the experimental, improvisational nature of his work. He was also known to incorporate elements of folk, blues, classical and jazz music into his compositions.
Kantner’s style of psychedelic rock was heavily influenced by the counterculture movement of the 1960s and the evolution of the San Francisco Sound. He was often credited with creating the “San Francisco sound,” which blended the creative and progressive nature of the city’s music scene into a unique sound.
Kantner’s music was well-known for its use of extended guitar solos and improvisation, as well as its politically-charged lyrics. His most successful album, 1971’s “Blows Against the Empire,” was a concept album that featured lyrics about a utopian society and a space migration.
Kantner’s work was also highly influential in the progressive rock genre, and he was often cited as a major influence by bands such as Rush, Yes, Genesis, and Pink Floyd.
- Psychedelic Rock
- Folk
- Blues
- Classical
- Jazz
- Progressive Rock
5. What projects did Paul Kantner work on throughout his career?
Paul Kantner was an influential musician, songwriter, and producer who had a long and successful career. Throughout his career, he worked on a variety of different projects. These include:
- Jefferson Airplane – Kantner was a founding member of the classic rock band Jefferson Airplane, and wrote and performed many of their songs. He also produced and co-produced several of their albums, including Volunteers and After Bathing at Baxter’s.
- Jefferson Starship – After Jefferson Airplane disbanded, Kantner went on to form Jefferson Starship with several former members of the group. He wrote and produced several albums for the band, including Dragon Fly and Spitfire.
- Solo Albums – Kantner released several solo albums throughout his career, including Blows Against the Empire, Manhole, and Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra.
- Collaborations – Kantner also worked on numerous collaborations with other musicians, including the album Sunfighter with Grace Slick, and the album KBC Band with David Crosby and Graham Nash.
- Film Scores – Kantner also composed and produced music for several films, including the classic science fiction film Silent Running and the documentary film Rock & Roll: The Movie.
Kantner’s influence on the rock and roll genre is undeniable, and his work on these projects has left an indelible mark on popular music.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Paul Kantner’s quotes serve as a testament to the power of music in creating a deep and meaningful connection to the world around us. His words are thought-provoking and inspiring, and his music is an example of how art can be used to express a powerful message. His legacy lives on in the hearts of many, and his work continues to be a source of inspiration and hope.
