Podcast Summary: The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers

Episode 146 – Jefferson Airplane: Surrealistic Pillow (with Cathy Richardson)
August 20, 2025

Overview

This episode of "The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers" counts down Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums, focusing on Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 psychedelic classic, Surrealistic Pillow (ranked #146). Josh is joined by Cathy Richardson, powerhouse vocalist and current lead singer of Jefferson Starship, who brings deep insights as both a lifelong fan and an inheritor of the band's legacy.

Together, the hosts and Cathy—along with regular contributor Morty Coyle—dig into the album’s historical significance, timeless tracks, the San Francisco music scene, Grace Slick’s legend, the evolution from Airplane to Starship, and what it's like embodying such iconic voices. The episode blends musical analysis, band lore, and passionate personal storytelling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Connections and the Band’s Legacy

• Cathy's Origin Story

  • Cathy describes discovering "White Rabbit" on an oldies station as a young teen and becoming obsessed. She bought The Worst of Jefferson Airplane just to listen to the song repeatedly.
    • "She was like, you've listened to this song for the last 40 minutes... I'm like, it's so short. It ends too soon. I just want to keep going." (08:43 - Cathy Richardson)
  • Her first Jefferson Starship concert was in 1983; she never imagined she’d someday join the band.
    • "Now…I live on the tour bus with them." (09:49 - Cathy Richardson)

• Transition to the Lead Singer

  • Cathy was invited by Paul Kantner to join Jefferson Starship after he saw her perform Janis Joplin music, seamlessly bridging generations of legendary frontwomen.

2. San Francisco Scene and Airplane’s Place in Music History

• According to Morty, Jefferson Airplane was arguably the biggest band out of the San Francisco scene, even headlining over the Grateful Dead, which weren't a radio band at the time (11:32 - Morty Coyle).

• Discussion on why Airplane isn’t always included in the "greatest American rock bands" conversation, despite their massive hits and cultural influence. Shorter career span, shifting identities (Airplane, Starship), and constant lineup changes are cited as reasons (12:27 - Josh & Kathy).

3. Band Origins, Lineup and Sprawling Projects

• Morty outlines the band’s formation in the mid-60s: from folk roots, the creation of Matrix nightclub, early members and the eventual arrival of Grace Slick from Great Society (15:41 – 19:45).
• Emphasizing the shared writing and vocal duties—no single frontperson, even after Grace joined.

4. Surrealistic Pillow as an Era-Defining Album

• The album is described as sonically encapsulating the psychedelic 60s.
  • "It’s the times encapsulated in music." (12:27 – Kathy Richardson)
• Not just "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love," but also Marty Balin’s ballads ("Today" & "Coming Back to Me") are praised.
  • Story: Marty writes "Coming Back to Me" on a joint-induced inspiration, records it in one take with only Jerry Garcia, Grace, and Jack present (21:14 – Kathy Richardson).

5. Vocal Interpretation and Iconic Frontwomen

• Cathy’s experience performing both Janis Joplin and Grace Slick parts:
  • Deep study of Janis’ voice: "Her sound was like a scratchy record…imitating the actual sound of the needle in the vinyl." (27:32 – Cathy Richardson)
  • Both Janis and Grace named as "tied for Queen" when it comes to female rock singers (29:59 – Cathy Richardson).
• Discussion about tribulations and growth in embodying such legends.

6. Track-by-Track Highlights and Analysis

• "She Has Funny Cars" – Not the most obvious opener, but a solid example of the band’s collaborative energy (33:03).
• "Somebody to Love" ([43:13])
  • The band's breakout hit, originally written by Grace's brother-in-law Darby Slick. Grace’s entry with the Airplane version gives the song an uncompromising, hard-rock edge.
    • "For really Grace's first moment on this record... she fronts the band, dude." (44:18 – Morty Coyle)
  • Always a live closer for Cathy’s Starship, guaranteeing a fist-pumping response.
• "My Best Friend" – The album’s folk-pop "flower power" side, likened to Mamas & Papas (55:58 – Kathy Richardson). The band’s "secret knock" is based on its drum intro!
• "White Rabbit" ([66:30])
  • Grace’s masterpiece—a swirling, mind-expanding journey through Alice in Wonderland, capturing the psychedelia zeitgeist.
    • "This is the most radio-friendly psychedelic song…this is it. This makes me want to take acid." (67:06 – Josh Adam Meyers)
  • Discussed as one of the ultimate 60s songs, alongside "Strawberry Fields" and "Eight Miles High."
• Other Faves
  • "Embryonic Journey" – Instrumental that foreshadows the Airplane's journey into different territories.

7. Band Evolution, Business, and Legacy

• Airplane’s complex record deal (11-album contract with solo albums for each member); the creation of Grunt Records (38:08 – 38:40).
• The constant lineup shifting and transition into Jefferson Starship, then Starship, and now both bands exist with various original members.
• Paul Kantner’s lasting influence: "He was just such a unique character…he was the Jefferson in of all of that." (57:32)
• Frictions and factioning when hits and outside songwriters shifted the sound ("We Built This City," "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"); Kantner’s distaste for this direction (65:00).
• Comparison to the Grateful Dead’s enduring scene: Airplane/Starship’s shape-shifting arguably hindered a singular legacy.

8. Female Rock Legacy and Influence

• Cathy discusses her love for Heart, Chrissie Hynde, Fleetwood Mac, and other classic female-driven acts, relating how the industry shifted to allow more female voices in the 80s and 90s ("the Lilith Fair era") (50:59+).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cathy on Joining the Band:
  "Being in the band was just not even a thought…like, someday I want to do, you know, I want to be in the band. That's so weird. So, yeah, it's, it's a trip. I don't. And it is actually a perfect fit for me as being the fan that I am." (23:19 – Cathy Richardson)

• On Airplane's Place in History:
  "It's the times encapsulated in music." (12:27 – Cathy Richardson)

• On “Somebody to Love”:
  "There's almost like a Steppenwolf 'Born to Be Wild' feeling… For really Grace's first moment on this record…she fronts the band, dude." (44:18 – Morty Coyle)

• On “White Rabbit”:
  "This is the most radio-friendly psychedelic song…the ultimate 60s time machine." (67:06 – Josh Adam Meyers, 80:16 – Kathy Richardson)

• Cathy on Kantner’s Advice: "The only advice I can remember him giving me is, you know, that weird stuff that you do do more. Told me to be more weird, you know, and I'm like, okay, what great direction." (57:22 – Cathy Richardson)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 08:43 — Cathy shares her "White Rabbit" origin story.
• 21:14 — Story of Marty Balin writing "Coming Back to Me."
• 27:32 — Cathy on learning to channel Janis Joplin.
• 29:59 — "Tied for Queen" Grace Slick and Janis Joplin.
• 43:13 — Deep dive on "Somebody to Love."
• 55:58 — "My Best Friend" as folk-pop/flower power side.
• 66:30 — Discussion of "White Rabbit," its cultural impact, and Grace's creative intent.
• 70:13 — Cathy on band’s relationship to drugs and production pace.
• 80:16 — Elevator pitch: “If you want to know what the 60s sounded like, listen to this album.” (Kathy Richardson)

Episode Wrap-Up

Final Q&A with Cathy Richardson

• Favorite Song on Surrealistic Pillow:
  • "White Rabbit" (79:22)
• Track to Skip:
  • "My Best Friend" ("to me, that's a throwaway") (79:27)
• Elevator Pitch for the Album:
  • "If you want to know what the 60s sounded like, listen to this album…It is a time machine to the 60s." (80:16)

Closing Messages

• The hosts encourage listeners to support legacy artists and see them live:
  “Go see them now and tell your kids about it because we're witnessing history and the end of it.” (81:35 – Morty Coyle)

• Cathy promotes upcoming Jefferson Starship tour dates (78:04+).

For New Listeners

This episode serves as a vibrant crash course in Jefferson Airplane’s legacy, the 60s psychedelic scene, and the enduring power of Surrealistic Pillow. It’s also a warm, funny, and enthusiastic celebration of classic rock history—anchored by Cathy Richardson’s perspective as both superfan and standard-bearer for one of America’s iconic bands.

Next episode: Steely Dan – Aja (#145 on the list).