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Paul Kantner, Jefferson Airplane founding member, dies at 74

The Wrap

January 29, 2016 at 1:57PM

Paul Kantner of Jefferson Starship perfomed in June 2001 during the Freedom Sings benefit concert in New York. Kantner, an original member of the seminal 1960s rock band Jefferson Airplane and the eventual leader of successor group Jefferson Starship, has died at age 74. (Vince Tuss — Associated Press file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Paul Kantner, one of the founding members of Jefferson Airplane, died on Thursday of multiple organ failure.

The guitarist and vocalist had suffered a heart attack earlier this week. He was 74.

His death was confirmed by longtime publicist and friend, Cynthia Bowman, who said he died of multiple organ failure and septic shock, according to the SF Gate.

Kantner was scheduled to play the Medina Entertainment Center on Friday as a part of Jefferson Starship. A venue representative said the 8:30 p.m. show likely will go on with headliners Blue Oyster Cult, but without Jefferson Starship.

Kantner suffered from multiple health problems over the years, including a heart attack in March 2015.

In October 1980, he was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in serious condition from a cerebral hemorrhage at age 39, but make what was considered to be a remarkable recovery.

Read original story Paul Kantner, Jefferson Airplane Founding Member, Dies at 74 At TheWrap

Star Tribune staff writer Chris Riemenschneider contributed to this report.