Papa John Creach

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One of the unlikeliest rock stars ever to grace a stage or album, Papa John Creach was a 53-year-old jazz and blues fiddler who had been playing professionally for more than 30 years when he was "discovered" by Jefferson Airplane in 1970. With his balding head, white hair, and thin-as-a-rail physique, Papa John looked bound for a rocking chair instead of a rock concert. But as a musician, he could hold his own with musicians half his age. He was so admired by his colleagues that he became a fixture of the Airplane, Hot Tuna, Jefferson Starship, and, as a septuagenarian, Jefferson Starship -- The Next Generation.

John Henry Creach was born May 28, 1917, in Beaver Falls, PA, one of 10 children. In 1935, the family moved to Chicago, IL, where John began playing in bars and clubs. Later, he joined a cabaret band, the Chocolate Music Bars. After relocating to Los Angeles, CA, in 1945, he performed at a show-biz diner called the Chi Chi Club, played on a luxury cruiser, and even appeared in a "couple of films," according to Frame.

John married a woman named Gretchen (b. ca. 1914) in 1964 or 1966; according to one interview, he couldn't remember how long they had been married. They had no children.

In 1967, John was playing at the Parisian Room in Los Angeles. That year, he met a 22-year-old drummer named Joey Covington, who also hailed from Pennsylvania. The two became lifelong friends, and it was Joey who nicknamed the 50-year-old fiddler "Papa John," a nickname that stuck.

Three years later, Joey joined Jefferson Airplane and introduced his new bandmates to Papa John. Initially brought in to play with Hot Tuna, Papa John debuted with the band on October 5, 1970. The audience was reportedly so blown away when he tuned his electric violin, they gave him a standing ovation. Thereafter, Papa John became a permanent addition to the Airplane as well.

Though classified as a sideman, Papa John appeared in group photos and was listed as a member on three Airplane albums (Bark, 1971, Long John Silver, 1972, and the live Thirty Seconds Over Winterland, 1973). On Bark, he provided country-fied flourishes to Paul Kantner's When the Earth Moves Again, then stepped to the forefront for Wild Turkey, a rousing instrumental which showcases his talent. On LJS, he co-wrote (with Grace Slick) Milk Train.

Meanwhile, he also appeared on Hot Tuna's First Pull Up, Then Pull Down (1971) and Burgers (1973), and launched his solo career with his eponymous debut in 1971.

Papa John stayed with the Airplane through its transformation into Jefferson Starship. He appeared on the first two Starship albums, Dragon Fly (1974) and Red Octopus (1975). The latter featured another instrumental showcase, Git Fiddler, which he wrote. But the the demands of the group and his solo career forced him to choose between the two. In August 1975, he left the band.

Papa John remained on friendly terms with his former band mates, however, and even guested with JS during its spring 1978 tour. Ten years later, he was present at the legendary "Hot Tuna and Friends" concert, at which Paul and Grace reunited with Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady.

In between, he played alongside Joey in the San Francisco All-Stars (1979-84) and with ex-Airplane drummer Spencer Dryden in the Dinosaurs (1982-89).

In 1992, 74-year-old Papa John joined Jefferson Starship -- The Next Generation and played with them until shortly before his death. He suffered a heart attack during the Los Angeles earthquake in January 1994, and passed away on February 22. He was 76.