Wish I Were - Career

Career

In 1962, Martyn renamed himself Marty Balin and began recording with Challenge Records, releasing the singles "Nobody But You" and "I Specialize in Love". By 1964, Balin was leading a folk music quartet called The Town Criers, with fellow band members Larry Vargo, Jan Ellickson and Bill Collins.

Balin was the founder and one of the lead vocalists for Jefferson Airplane from 1965 to 1971.

In 1971, he departed Jefferson Airplane and produced an album for the group Grootna before joining them and recording vocals for the album Bodacious DF. In 1974, Paul Kantner asked Marty to write a song for his new Airplane offshoot group, Jefferson Starship and together they wrote "Caroline" which appeared on the album Dragon Fly. Marty joined Jefferson Starship permanently in 1975, and contributed to several hit songs (including "Miracles" (#12), "With Your Love" (#3), "Count on Me" (#8), and "Runaway" (#12). In 1978, Balin left the group.

In 1979, he produced a rock opera entitled "Rock Justice," about a rock-star who was put in jail for failing to produce a hit for the record company based on his experiences with the lawsuits fought for years with former Airplane manager Matthew Katz. The cast recording was produced by Balin but did not feature him in performance.

Balin continued with EMI as a solo artist and in 1981, he released his first solo album, Balin, featuring two Top 40 hits, "Hearts" (#8) and "Atlanta Lady" (#27). This was followed in 1983 by a second solo album, Lucky, along with a Japanese-only EP produced by EMI called There's No Shoulder. Lucky did not match the performance of Balin on the Billboard charts, and Balin's contract with EMI ended.

In 1985, he teamed up with Paul Kantner and Jack Casady to form the KBC Band. After the breakup of the KBC band, a 1989 reunion album and tour with Jefferson Airplane followed.

Balin continued recording solo albums in the years following the reunion and reunited with Kantner in the latest incarnation of Jefferson Starship.

Balin had intended to record lead vocals for two tracks for Jefferson Starship's album, Jefferson's Tree of Liberty. However, his art touring schedule conflicted with studio sessions and instead the track "Maybe for You" from the German release of Windows of Heaven was included.

On July 2, 2007, music publishing firm Bicycle Music, Inc. announced that it acquired an interest in songs written or performed by Balin, including hits from his days with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.