GALLERY

Jefferson Starship is one of the most successful arena rock bands of the '70s and '80s, earning 3 platinum and 8 gold records, as well as numerous Top 40 Billboard singles. As they celebrate their 50th anniversary, the band reaches a rare milestone that only a few bands ever achieve.

Founded by Paul Kantner in the '70s, Jefferson Starship was conceived as a collective of musical adventurers contributing to his epic concept albums and eventual catalog of rock classics. When the current lineup came together in 2012, with many members having joined years earlier, Kantner couldn’t have predicted the band would become the road-conquering force they are

today.

The five members of Jefferson Starship often describe themselves as both a "family" and a "gang," and this sense of camaraderie shines through in their performances. Over the years, they've played in all 50 U.S. states, five continents, and countless countries. A recent tour of New Zealand was noted as one of the band's favorites, and their live shows continue to offer a non-stop mix of rock hits. 

The band’s current lineup includes founding member David Freiberg, drummer Donny Baldwin (who first joined in 1982), keyboardist Chris Smith (who joined in 1998), guitarist Jude Gold (who joined in 2012), and singer/guitarist Cathy Richardson (who joined in 2008 after Kantner saw her perform with Big Brother and the Holding Company).

As Jefferson Starship celebrates its 50th anniversary, the band reflects on the legacy of Paul Kantner, who passed away in 2016. The spirit of exploration and adventure he instilled in the band lives on in their music and performances. As Gold puts it, “To me, that ‘Paul Kantner

thing’—getting on a rocket ship and blasting off into the unknown—is the very essence of Jefferson Starship. And that spirit is very much alive in the band today.”

Chris Stewart is a music producer, philanthropist, and former finance executive. Before turning to music, he was CEO of Gelber Group, a trading firm at the Chicago Board of Trade, where he also served on the CBOT and Chicago Mercantile Board of Directors from 2006–2014.

A longtime advocate for music and the arts, Chris serves on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board (2006–present) and the Country Music Hall of Fame Board (2016–present), and supports Teen Cancer America and the Buddy Holly Foundation.

His music credits include executive producing albums for Dave Mason, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Blue Sky Riders, and Freddy Jones, as well as producing documentaries and milestone events such as the 60th Anniversary of Royal Studios in Memphis. He has co-produced charity concerts with artists including Patti Smith, Lucinda Williams, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and Buddy Guy, and has invested in Nashville’s Blackbird Academy, Blackbird Studios, and RCA Studio B.

A percussionist with the Dave Mason Band from 2006–2012 and a partner with Steve Jordan on various projects, Chris champions music preservation and education. He splits his time between Nashville and Chicago and enjoys life with his wife and three sons.