This is sad news. Paul Kantner was still very much a fixture in San Francisco--you could run into him down in North Beach, hanging out at his favorite haunt. He was that accessible.
People here in the Bay Area are bumming heavily today at what for them is truly a personal loss, an extinguished living flame, relegated now to History and memory.
Paul and I met and spoke once--he said he'd be happy to be interviewed & filmed for Altamont 360°. Alas...as Keith would say, "Another good one gone."
In this scene, from the day of the Altamont concert (Dec 6, 1969), we see the Jefferson Airplane taking the stage--Grace Slick fired up and delighted--most Hells Angels respectfully and more or less gently moving people off and away from the stage--and then fracas breaking out among concertgoers and Hells Angels recruits--into the middle of which Jefferson Airplane's Marty Balin jumps from the stage, shouting "Fock you" in his frustration and indignation that one of his audience members is being manhandled--Marty is said to have been coldcocked, and when he came to, spat "Fock you" again to an Angel, who knocks him out again.
The following exchange occurs between Paul Kantner (RIP, January 28, 2016) and then Frisco Hells Angel, Bill "Sweet William" Fritsch (RIP, March 14, 2015)--who, by this point, have known each other for half a decade from being in intersecting social circles in San Francisco.
Paul Kantner: Hey, man, I'd like to mention that the Hells Angels just, uh, smashed Marty Balin in the face--knocked him out for a bit. I'd like to thank you for that.
Sweet William (getting up from sitting stage left): Hey--wait! (grabs a mic) Is this on? You talking to me--I'm gonna talk to you.
Kantner: I'm not talking to you, man. I'm talking to the people who hit my lead singer in the head.
William: You're talking to my *people*. Let me tell you what's happening---*YOU* is what's happening. You know what's happening? We're partying--like you!
.................................
RIP guys -- you're both an important part of Bay Area and American social and cultural history. Hope you're rocking out and laughing about it all in heaven.
Altamont: Jefferson Airplane, Paul Kantner, Sweet William - What's Happening?Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016-01-29 08:31 by swiss.