Paul Kantner was an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the rock band Jefferson Airplane. Born on March 17, 1941, in San Francisco, California, he played rhythm guitar and contributed to the band's distinctive sound during the 1960s counterculture movement. Kantner was known for his political lyrics and innovative musical style. In addition to his work with Jefferson Airplane, Kantner formed the group Jefferson Starship in the 1970s, which continued to explore rock and psychedelic music. He was influential in shaping the San Francisco music scene and remained active in music until his passing on January 28, 2016.