(CelebrityAccess) — John Barbata, a drummer who performed with legendary bands such as The Turtles, Jefferson Airplane, and Crosby Stills and Nash, has died. He was 79.
His passing was confirmed by an announcement from his former band, Jefferson Airplane, who shared: Rest in Peace, John Barbata, a legendary drummer for Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. Known for his exceptional talent, John left his mark on the music world by playing with bands such as The Turtles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jefferson Airplane, and Jefferson Starship. Back in ’72, during a hiatus for CSN&Y, David Crosby introduced John to the Airplane, who hired John instantly. You can hear John’s drumming skills on the band’s final studio album, LONG JOHN SILVER, as well as the live album THIRTY SECONDS OVER WINTERLAND.”
A New Jersey Native, Barbata relocated to Southern California while he was still a teen and earned a reputation as a drummer playing with bands such as the Velvatones, the Ambassadors, and The Sentinels, who scored a #1 hit in “Latin’ia” in 1962.
In 1966, Barbata joined The Turtles, stepping into the hole in the band’s lineup left by the departure Joel Larson in 1966, recording hits such as “Happy Together” and “She’d Rather Be with Me.”
Four years later, Barbata was invited to join Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, following the departure of Dallas Taylor. He went on to play on eight albums with various configurations of CSNY and members of the group, including the live album 4 Way Street, which went to #1 on the Billboard 200.
In 1972, after declining a role with The Eagles, Barbata signed on with Jefferson Airplane, replacing dummer Joey Covington in the lineup. He remained with the group until 1968 when he suffered a serious car crash that he spent more than a year recovering from.
Barbata retired from his career as a professional musician in 1983 and built a house and recording studio in Northern California. He married Angela Evans and the two released a pair of albums together.
Barbata and Evans had a daughter, Leah, together. She preceded him in death in 2016.
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