Grace Slick worked as a model and wrote songs before announcing her name to the music world. She initially joined the acid rock band The Great Society in 1965.
Darby Slick led the group to explore the raga-influenced psychedelic genre, and they gained more recognition in the rock scene. The band recorded several demos and ‘Somebody to Love.’ This song would later be re-recorded by Jefferson Airplane. Grace Slick was on vocals, guitar, and piano in this track. She joined Jefferson Airplane in 1966 after Signe Toly Anderson’s departure. Slick wanted to take her music career to a more professional point.
Slick Brought Jefferson Airplane Success
Jefferson Airplane took a new path after Grace Slick joined the band. They became the first band to have commercial success worldwide from the Bay Area with several successful songs. The group’s 1967 album ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ brought them massive recognition.
‘White Rabbit‘ and ‘Somebody To Love‘ from the album left a lasting impact on the rock scene. Slick wrote and performed both of the tracks when she was in The Great Society. She sang these two songs in a different style in Jefferson Airplane’s album than she did in her former band.
Grace focused on her solo career in the ’70s. She released several albums such as ‘Manhole,’ ‘Dreams,’ and ‘Software.’ She was later nominated for the Grammy Award for ‘Dreams.’ Jefferson Airplane reunited in 1989, but Slick decided to retire from the music industry during the same period.
Slick Ended Her Music Career Because Of Her Age
Slick’s alcoholism and use of substances affected her career. She also felt distant from the rock world. Slick thought it was better to retire as she was getting old. During the interview with VH1 for the Jefferson Airplane documentary, she explained that leaving the rock and roll scene after 50 years was what made sense.
Grace Slick said in her words:
“All rock-and-rollers over the age of 50 look stupid and should retire.”
In a 2007 interview, she claimed that rock and roll was for young people who want to express their anger. She decided it was better to retire than to perform something she did not feel relevant. Slick explained:
“You can do jazz, classical, blues, opera, country until you’re 150, but rap and rock and roll are a way for young people to get that anger out. It’s silly to perform a song that has no relevance to the present or expresses feelings you no longer have.”
Slick started painting and drawing after her retirement. She had several health problems and had surgeries. The singer later fell into a coma and learned how to walk after it. Her most recent appearance was in 2022, for the unveiling of the band’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
