The founder and lead singer of Jefferson Airplane, that quintessential psychedelic rock band, was a balladeer at heart. Marty Balin wrote many of the band’s earliest hits (“It’s No Secret,” “Plastic Fantastic Lover,” “3/5 of A Mile In Ten Seconds,” “Comin’ Back To Me”), but it became obvious after the arrival of Grace Slick that they were a six-person band with only five parachutes. Balin bailed from the Airplane before the recording of Bark (1971), formed Bodacious DF and recorded one album with them in 1973.
That might have been the end of things but for the arrival of Jefferson Starship. Paul Kantner invited Balin to collaborate on one track for his new venture, “Caroline.” By the Starship’s second album, Red Octopus (1975), Balin was credited as a full-time member. Over the next few years, Marty Balin would keep Starship on the charts with a string of Top 20 ballads: “Miracles, “Count On Me,” “Without Your Love” and “Runaway.” Yet he never really returned to the fold, preferring to collaborate with outside members, and eventually left the band shortly after Earth (1978).
His first solo album, Balin (1981), picked up right where he left off with Starship and featured two Top 40 hits, “Hearts” and “Atlanta Lady.” After his second album stalled, Balin re-united with Kantner and Jack Casady for the one-off KBC Band (1985). Since then, Balin has released occasional solo albums (lately with much more frequency, mostly through his own Balince Music label) and rejoined Jefferson Starship on their neverending journey.
Discography
You Made Me Fall (1962)
b/w Nobody But You. Released on 7-inch in 1962 in the US (Challenge, 9146).
I Specialize In Love (1962)
b/w You’re Alive With Love. Released on 7-inch in 1962 in the US (Challenge, 9156).
BALIN (1981)
Hearts / You Left Your Mark On Me / Lydia / Atlanta Lady / Spotlight / I Do Believe In You / Elvis And Marilyn / Tell Me More / Music Is The Light. Released on LP in May 1981 in the US (EMI America, 17054); reached #35 on the US charts. Repackaged w. LUCKY and released on remastered CD on February 12, 2013 in the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOCD-1079).
Hearts (1981)
b/w Freeway. Released on 7-inch in 1981 in the US (EMI America, 8084), the UK (EMI, EA-126), Australia (EMI America, AMI-533), Canada (EMI America, A8084), France (EMI America, 2C 008-86.391), Germany (EMI America, 1A-006-86391), the Netherlands (EMI America, 1A 006-86391), New Zealand (EMI America, F8084) and South Africa (EMI America, AMIJ 515); reached #8 on the US charts. Regional versions feature picture sleeve.
Atlanta Lady (Something About Your Love) (1981)
b/w Lydia. Released on 7-inch in September 1981 in the US (EMI America, 8093); reached #27 on the US charts (charted September 19, 1981 for 13 weeks).
BALIN TOP TRACKS (1981)
I Do Believe In You / Freeway / Lydia / You Left Your Mark On Me. Released as promotional EP in 1981 in the US (EMI America, SPRO-9672) on red vinyl.
LUCKY (1983)
Born To Be A Winner / What Do People Like / Just Like That / Do It For Love / What Love Is / Heart of Stone / Palm of Your Hand / Will You Forever / All We Really Need / When Love Comes. Released on elpee in February 1983 in the US (EMI America, 17088); reached #156 on the US charts.
What Love Is (1983)
b/w Will You Forever. Released on 7-inch in February 1983 in the US (EMI America, 8153); reached #63 on the US charts (charted February 19, 1983 for 6 weeks).
Do It For Love (1983)
b/w Heart of Stone. Released on 7-inch in 1983 in the US and Canada (EMI America, P-B-8160) and Japan (EMI, EYS-17370) with picture sleeve.
THERE’S NO SHOULDER (1983)
There’s No Shoulder / Regrets of The Rain // I Can Fly / Long After Midnight. EP released in 1983 in Japan (EMI Toshiba).
BALINCE: A COLLECTION (1990)
Today / Miracles / Hearts / Atlanta Lady / Do It For Love / There’s No Shoulder / Hold Me / Sayonara / Camellia / Valerie / Candles / What’s New In Your World / What About Love? Compilation released on CD in 1990 in the US (Rhino, R2-70968).
BETTER GENERATION (1991)
Better Generation / Sky Diver / Mercy of The Moon / Green Light / Let It Live / Wish I Were / Don’t Change On Me / Let’s Go / See The Light / It’s No Secret / Even Though / Always Tomorrow / Treadin’ Water / Lady Now / Volunteers / Summer of Love. Released on CD and cassette in December 1991 in the US (GWE, 002).
HEARTS & OTHER FAVORITES (1992)
Hearts / You Left Your Mark On Me / What Love Is / All We Really Need / Atlanta Lady / When Love Comes / Elvis And Marilyn / Do It For Love / Will You Forever. Compilation released on CD and cassette in 1992 in the US (CEMA, 57278).
WISH I WERE (1995)
Wish I Were / Treadin’ Waters / Valerie / Camellia / What About Love / What’s New In Your World / Mercy of The Moon / Let’s Go / Green Light / Let It Live / Even Though / Always Tomorrow / See The Light / Summer of Love. Released on CD in 1995 in Germany (Beverly).
FREEDOM FLIGHT (1997)
Beautiful Girl / Fire / My Heart Picked You / Until You / Can’t Forget The Night / A Part of Me / Sexy Eyes / Heart of Stone / Goddess / Freedmo Flight. Released on CD and cassette on July 1, 1997 in the US (Solid Discs, 7005).
GREATEST HITS (1999)
When Love Comes / Miracles / Atlanta Lady / Plastic Fantastic Lover / Until You / Count On Me / Today / My Heart Picked You / Hearts / What Love Is / Runaway / Beautiful Girl / Summer of Love / With Your Love / Comin’ Back To Me / Volunteers / + some interviews. Released on CD in 1999 (Trove Records). Note: this is not a compilation, but new recordings of his earlier material.
NASHVILLE SESSIONS (2008)
Hide My Heart / Mercy of The Moon / Rising From The Ashes / Lost Highway / Nobody But You / Pieces of The Rain / Count On Me / We Rise With Our Dreams / Hold Me / Red Roses / Mercy of The Moon (Extended Version). Released on CD on October 21, 2008 in the US (CD Baby, 308193).
NOTHIN’ 2 LOSE: THE LAST STUDIO RECORDINGS (2009)
Nothin’ 2 Lose / I’m The One / U Know What I Like / What About Love / Camellia / Devil Wears Lingerie / Shaping The Night / What’s New In Your World / Valerie / Yes Yes Yes / Shock Me / Mary Ann / Breathe Away / Maybe 4 U / Someone / Candles / Always. Released on CD on August 25, 2009 in the US (CD Baby, 355588).
TIME FOR EVERY SEASON (2009)
Free As A Bird / Viva La Vida / Can’t Dance You Out of My Mind / Don’t Be Sad Anymore / City Lights / Rockin’ Blues / L.A. Girls / Dance All Night / Time For Every Season. Released on CD on October 20, 2009 in the US (CD Baby, 352298).
BLUE HIGHWAY (2010)
Blue Highway / I Need Love / City Lights / Somehow The Tired Reach Home / Don’t Be Sad Anymore / Sure Can Make Love / Goddess / Viva La Vida / Versace / Drivin’ Me Crazy / Rocket Launcher / Solidarity / Papa John / Feelin’ The Love Again. Released on CD on October 19, 2010 (Balince Music, 7005).
I Need Love (2010)
Released on CD single in 2010 in the US (CD Baby).
Solidarity (2010)
Released on CD single in 2010 in the US (CD Baby).
Versace (ClubMix) (2011)
Released on CD single in 2011 in the US (CD Baby).
THE WITCHER (2011)
The Witcher / Turn Me Up / L.A. Girls / Love Don’t Lie / Gonga of Love / Just A Dream / I Want You / Dream Motorocycle / Boulevard / Sleepwalkin’. Released on CD on July 19, 2011 in the US (Balince Music, 70079).
415 MUSIC: STUDIO & LIVE RECORDINGS 1980-82 (2011)
Street Wars / I Don’t Want To Lose Your Love / Help Wanted / Will You Forever / Take A Chance On Love / Born To Be A Winner / Just A Dream / Love’s Got A Hold On Me / What Is Love / Hearts / Camellia / What Do You People Like. Archival recordings released on CD in 2011 in the US (CD Baby).
