Ride the Tiger

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the psychedelic vibes of "Ride the Tiger" by Jefferson Starship from their 1974 album Dragon Fly, and the Zoo Freaks are totally digging it. This track, the band’s inaugural single, peaked at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100, a modest start for a song that became a fan favorite. Written by Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, and Byong Yu, and produced by the band with Larry Cox, it was recorded in the spring and summer of 1974 at Wally Heider’s studio in San Francisco. The song’s lyrics, with lines like “I want to ride the tiger / It will be black and white in the dead of night,” evoke a bold, almost cosmic energy, blending the band’s signature sci-fi flair with hard-rocking riffs. One juicy tidbit from a 2007 Steve Hoffman Music Forums post reveals fans rediscovering the track, with one user raving about its infectious energy after snagging the Dragon Fly CD, calling it a standout for its driving rhythm and Grace Slick’s commanding vocals. Another cool story ties to the song’s cultural impact: its title inspired a book by philosopher Julius Evola and even a 1970 film, showing its reach beyond music.

Delving into the creation of “Ride the Tiger,” the song marked a pivotal moment for Jefferson Starship. According to 102.1 The Ville, the track featured a stellar lineup: Grace Slick on vocals, Paul Kantner on vocals and guitar, Craig Chaquico on guitar, David Freiberg on keyboards and vocals, Pete Sears on bass, and John Barbata on drums. The band was transitioning from their Jefferson Airplane roots, and this song’s progressive rock edge, with its spacey undertones, reflected their new direction. A 1975 Rolling Stone article noted the band’s surprise at their resurgence, with Dragon Fly hitting #11 on the Billboard 200, proving skeptics wrong who thought the Airplane’s glory days were over. Fans on Jefferson Starship’s Facebook page, with over 88,000 likes, often share nostalgic stories about hearing “Ride the Tiger” live, with one post recalling a 1974 Winterland show where Marty Balin joined for “Caroline,” amplifying the electric atmosphere.

Jefferson Starship’s origins trace back to the ashes of Jefferson Airplane, a San Francisco psychedelic rock icon formed in 1965 by Marty Balin and Paul Kantner. According to AllMusic, the Airplane’s early folk-rock and LSD-fueled sound, driven by Grace Slick’s powerful voice, set the stage for their evolution. By 1970, with Jefferson Airplane on hiatus, Kantner recorded Blows Against the Empire, a Hugo-nominated sci-fi concept album credited to “Paul Kantner/Jefferson Starship,” featuring Slick, David Crosby, and Grateful Dead members like Jerry Garcia. This ad-hoc group, dubbed the Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra, laid the groundwork for the band’s official formation in 1974. After Airplane’s 1972 breakup, Kantner and Slick, then a couple, released experimental albums like Baron von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun and Manhole. Facing pressure from RCA to deliver a commercial hit, they rallied with David Freiberg, Craig Chaquico, Pete Sears, Papa John Creach, and John Barbata to form Jefferson Starship, debuting with Dragon Fly. The band’s name, first used in 1970, reflected Kantner’s love for sci-fi and his vision for a new musical voyage.

Today, Jefferson Starship keeps the legacy alive, with a current lineup featuring David Freiberg, Donny Baldwin, Chris Smith, Cathy Richardson, and Jude Gold. Their official website offers tour updates and a 50th-anniversary soundcheck experience, while their Facebook page buzzes with fan engagement, boasting 1,300+ posts. On Instagram, they share throwback photos and tour snaps, connecting with over 10,000 followers. Their X account posts about gigs and tributes to Kantner, who passed in 2016. Fans also flock to unofficial hubs like the Jefferson Starship Fans Facebook group, where over 2,000 members swap concert memories and rare vinyl finds. Another gem is Starship Control, a fan site packed with discographies, photos, and tour archives, keeping the Zoo Freaks’ passion burning bright.