<P> Following the commercially unsuccessful Baron von Tollbooth & the Chrome Nun (1973; credited to Kantner, Slick and Freiberg) and Manhole (1974; credited to Slick), Jefferson Airplane evolved into Jefferson Starship in January 1974 . The initial lineup consisted of the remaining members of Jefferson Airplane (Kantner, Slick, Freiberg, Barbata, Creach); bassist Peter Kaukonen (soon replaced by British multi-instrumentalist Pete Sears, a veteran of Creach's solo oeuvre and Manhole); and lead guitarist Craig Chaquico, a member of Grunt Records band Jack Traylor and Steelwind who contributed to the Kantner / Slick solo albums beginning with Sunfighter . They appropriated the name from Kantner's Blows Against the Empire, with Bill Thompson convincing the group that maintaining the connection was prudent from a business standpoint . Reflecting the transition, their first album (Dragon Fly, released in September 1974) was credited to Slick, Kantner and Jefferson Starship . </P> <P> After the acrimonious events that resulted in Jefferson Starship's 1984 evolution into Starship, Kantner reunited with Balin (who joined Jefferson Starship in January 1975 following a guest appearance on Dragon Fly before leaving once more in 1978) and Jack Casady in 1985 to form the KBC Band . They released their only album, KBC Band, in 1987 on Arista Records . On March 4, 1988, Grace Slick made a cameo appearance during a Hot Tuna San Francisco performance at the Fillmore (with Kantner and Creach joining in), facilitating a potential reunion of Jefferson Airplane . </P> <P> In 1989, the classic 1966 - 1970 lineup of Jefferson Airplane reunited (with the exception of drummer Spencer Dryden) for a tour and album . The self - titled album was released by Epic to modest sales but the accompanying tour was considered a success . </P> <P> In 1996, the 1966 - 1970 lineup of Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Balin, Casady, Dryden, Kantner and Kaukonen attending as well as performing . Grace Slick was absent, as she was unable to travel for medical reasons . </P>

Who was the lead singer of jefferson airplane