Guitarist/ Lead Singer Cathy Richardson
Concert goers were served a double shot of classic arena rock on a Friday night at Pala Casino in SoCal. The crowd at the Event Center was fired up after a pair of commanding performances by two legendary bands. (Jefferson Starship & Grand Funk Railroad)
Jefferson Starship kicked off the evening with their hit song “Find Your Way Back” off their 1981 album Modern Times. Co-founder David Freiberg sang harmony bringing the symbiotic vocal style that Jefferson Starship is celebrated for. Cathy Richardson, who has been with the band since 2008, took on lead vocals. I was surprised with the power of Richardson’s delivery which embodied the intensity and tone of former member Grace Slick.
They followed with something new, “Setting Sun,” off their most recent album Mother Of The Sun, released in 2020. Freiberg sang lead while guitarist Jude Gold played sweet slides, adding to the wild west outlaw vibe. The laid-back melody was accented with a hefty drum rhythm and a rich dynamic. It’s refreshing to hear new material that demonstrates the enduring talent of this celebrated band.
Singer/ Guitarist and founding member David Freiberg
Reaching far back through their expansive catalog to the Jefferson Airplane era, they played “White Rabbit.” The intro featured Jude Gold on lead guitar flawlessly delivering the indelible beginning riff. Cathy Richardson’s vocals were haunting. She not only matched the emotion and vocal depth of the original, but her cadence also mirrored the ominous unique phrasing of Grace Slick.
Once again, Freiberg and Richardson masterfully blended their harmonies on the 1996 hit “We Built This City,” Which had the crowd up on their feet joining in on the chorus.
Co-founder and original member David Freiberg sang lead on the 1979 chart-topper “Jane.” I must admit I was surprised by his vocal range. His high tenor effortlessly hit several falsetto notes.
On their final song, the band announced a special guest. They introduced actress China Kantner, the daughter of former band members Grace Slick and founder Paul Kantner. China joined the band on stage for the hit song “Somebody to Love.” Richardson sang the lead, echoing the vocal force and excitement of the original. The band let loose releasing high voltage energy with drummer Donny Baldwin laying down a barrage of rolls. At the same time, keyboardist Chris Smith banged out some heavy pounding rhythms on the ivories. Lead guitarist Jude Gold stood at the edge of the stage, delivering the splintering, psychedelic guitar solo.
The performance was excellent, and although Jefferson Starship has gone through several lineup changes, the soul of this legendary band lives on. The current ensemble consists of highly talented veteran musicians. Singer and guitarist Cathy Richardson has been with the band since 2008. She has fronted several bands as well as starred in many Off-Broadway productions. She took on the role of Janis Joplin in the play Love and toured as lead singer with Big Brother and the Holding Company. Drummer Donny Baldwin was a member of Jefferson Starship from 1973-to 1978 and returned in 2008. He has toured and recorded with Kenny Loggins, Chuck Berry, Van Morrison, Ronnie Montrose, and Heart, just to name a few. Keyboardist Chris Smith joined the band in 1988. His music has been featured on dozens of television shows, including CSI. Amazingly, he has taken on the role of playing piano and Synth bass simultaneously on the keys. Lead guitarist Jude Gold has been with the band since 2012. He is also the editor of the popular Guitar Player magazine. Last but certainly not least is multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer, composer, and founding member David Freiberg. He is undoubtedly the heart of this band who keeps the torch of Jefferson Starship burning.
Jen B / BackStage360
(Read our review of Grand Funk Railroad)