What may come as a surprise to some of you is the simple fact that Grace Slick was NOT the band’s first female vocalist. Rather, Grace Slick replaced the original, who left after giving birth to her baby not long after the formation of the band in 1965. The original girl’s name is Signe Toly Anderson. She appeared on the band’s first RCA album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off (1966).
Before Slick’s arrival, the band played many shows. One in particular was the final show featuring Signe Toly Anderson performed at Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium October 15, 1966 in the late show (there were two sets). It was her farewell performance.
Relayer Records will re-release the performance (it has been released before) on CD in a remastered limited edition. Signe’s Farewell – Live At The Fillmore Auditorium 10/15/66 Late Show. The newly remastered CD is expected to be issued on July 29.
Signe’s life after Jefferson Airplane may have been less tumultuous, but it is also one of those things that make you wonder “what if” she had stayed. Her voice was as dynamic as Grace Slick. She even may have been missed by some deeper fans of the band. Fortunately we have Jefferson Airplane’s first album, and some of these bootleg live performance recordings to mark her history.
