Is Starship Still Touring?

Hey there! As a passionate fan of classic rock music, you may be wondering if one of the genre‘s most iconic bands, Starship, is still touring and performing their massive hits. Well as a pop culture expert and avid concert-goer, let me provide you with a comprehensive, insider‘s look into Starship‘s current status and the factors that go into a band‘s decision to keep touring.

A Blast to the Past: The Origins of Starship

To understand where Starship is at today, we first need to hop in the time machine and look at their origins! Starship has its roots in the pioneering 60s San Francisco psychedelic rock group, Jefferson Airplane. Their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow was a seminal work of the hippie counterculture movement. Songs like "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love" became era-defining hits.

Jefferson Airplane had a phenomenal run but began fracturing in the early 70s due to creative differences and fatigue. By 1974, founders Paul Kantner and Marty Balin reformed the group as Jefferson Starship. The new pop-leaning sound proved popular on the charts. Their album Dragon Fly went platinum and scored a top 10 single "Ride the Tiger."

Starship Takes Off in the 80s

After Balin‘s departure, Starship fully embraced a radio-friendly soft rock sound. The addition of Mickey Thomas on vocals proved crucial to their huge success in the 80s. Mega-smash power ballads like "Sara" and "We Built This City" defined the era and turned Starship into global superstars.

Fun fact: Knee Deep in the Hoopla sold over 4 million copies and spawned 3 #1 Billboard Hot 100 singles! By the end of the 80s, Starship was one of the most commercially successful bands on Earth with a vast catalog of instantly recognizable hit songs. But behind the scenes, tensions mounted leading to their dissolution by 1991.

The Band Splinters in the 90s

Here‘s where things get complicated! After Starship‘s breakup, there were some messy attempts to carry on the legacy:

• Mickey Thomas brought back a version of Starship in 1992 to record 1 album before splitting up again in 1994.

• In 1993, Thomas, Kantner, and Grace Slick toured as Jefferson Starship: The Next Generation but it was short-lived.

• Also in 1993, most of Jefferson Airplane reunited for a tour and album as just Jefferson Airplane before disbanding again.

• By 1996, Paul Kantner had legal rights to the Jefferson Starship name and started HIS own version of the band with Grace Slick making occasional guest appearances.

As you can see, it was ambiguous who had claim to the name and multiple competing lineups muddied the waters throughout the 90s. Classic rock band breakups can get messy!

Starship in the 2000s: Winding Down

The chaos over rights to Jefferson Starship continued into the 2000s. Between 2001-2008, Mickey Thomas and Paul Kantner both led competing touring versions of the group. After settling a lawsuit in 2008, Thomas won official control of the Starship name.

This version of Starship with Thomas did some limited touring up through 2016. But by then, most prominent members had jumped ship to focus on solo projects or retirement. With Paul Kantner‘s passing in 2016, any chance of a substantial Starship reunion tour seemed unlikely.

What About the Members Today?

While Starship itself seems to have ceased major touring operations, let‘s see what the key members are up to now:

• Mickey Thomas: Still performs limited solo acoustic shows and keeps the band‘s legacy alive.

• Grace Slick: Officially retired from music in 2016 after ill health.

• Paul Kantner: Passed away in 2016 after health complications.

• Marty Balin: Also passed away in 2018 at age 76 from heart failure.

• David Freiberg: Tours with a band called Jefferson Starship along with singer Cathy Richardson.

As you can see, it‘s mostly just Mickey Thomas and some tribute acts keeping the Starship torch lit in terms of live performances. With so many pivotal members passing away or retiring, large reunion tours seem unlikely.

How Do Other Classic Rock Bands Compare?

Starship rose to prominence alongside many other legendary acts that formed in the 60s and 70s. Let‘s look at how some of their peers have fared decades later in terms of touring:

• Journey: Still actively tours with a mix of original and new members.

• The Eagles: Reunited in 1994 and tour regularly despite Glenn Frey‘s death.

• Santana: Founder Carlos Santana still tours heavily with an evolving band lineup.

• Foreigner: No original members but the band name still tours with hired musicians.

• Grateful Dead: Surviving members created Dead & Company with John Mayer to keep touring.

So you can see, every band handles touring longevity differently! Some stop entirely while others "pass the torch" to new generations. Health and legal factors greatly determine ongoing feasibility.

Is There Still a Market for 80s Rock Tours?

In a word – absolutely! While music tastes have changed, "aging Gen Xers" provide a huge market for reliving the 80s heyday. Nostalgia is big business in entertainment. Certain artists manage to attract multi-generational appeal by exposing their music to younger crowds.

Plus, enough time has passed that key songs have become "timeless classics" that many grew up with. VH1 revival shows and 80s themed parties have created new fans too! When promoted well on social media, these acts consistently draw crowds.

Just look at some recent successful tours:

• Def Leppard + Motley Crue (2022)
• Journey + Toto (2022)
• Guns N‘ Roses (2022)
• New Kids on the Block (2022)

80s rock remains hugely popular as both theatre and stadium concert fare!

Why Do Bands Keep Touring After Their Prime?

Good question! Here are some of the key motivations:

• Financial gain: Tours can be extremely lucrative, especially with back catalog royalty streams.

• Artistic passion: Most musicians live to play live! Touring allows more improv and less pressure than recording new hit songs.

• Fan service: Artists feel committed to giving longtime fans chances to hear classics performed live.

• Relevance: Tours help cement musical legacies rather than fading into obscurity.

• Collaborations: Supergroup tours with contemporary artists expose music to new audiences.

• Lifestyle: Touring structure provides purpose for artists accustomed to life on the road.

While money is a big factor, genuine love of playing live music drives many seasoned acts to keep on touring.

How Have Bands Adapted Tour Promotion?

The internet opened many new avenues for marketing and promotion:

• Social media: Direct fan engagement thru Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter

• Targeted ads: Google, Facebook, YouTube ad targeting by demographics and interests

• Streaming: Back catalog on Spotify generates royalties and new listeners

• Search SEO: Optimizing Google search visibility to drive ticket sales

• VIP experiences: Special meet & greets and packages to entice superfans

• Merchandise: Online band stores and exclusive tour merch

• Spotify presale: Special ticket allotments for top Spotify listeners

Bands now have powerful tools to expand their aging fanbases and efficiently sell tour promotions.

Could We Ever See a Starship Comeback Tour?

I‘d say maybe a small chance, but the odds are stacked against it. Here are the key factors:

For Reunion Tour:

• Mickey Thomas still passionate about performing live

• Continued popularity of 80s rock nostalgia tours

• Strong brand recognition and catalog of hits

Against Reunion Tour:

• Passing of Paul Kantner and Marty Balin

• Grace Slick fully retired from music

• Most prominent members now in 70s

• No new music to promote in over 30 years

• Previous reunions were short-lived

While Mickey Thomas could potentially put together some version of Starship to tour smaller venues, a full-scale reunion seems highly improbable at this stage. But never say never!

The Verdict? Don‘t Hold Your Breath!

So in summary – while avid fans may wish to see Starship back on the big stage, recent history suggests the band is firmly in retirement mode. Nostalgia is powerful, and Mickey Thomas does have the passion to carry the torch. But replacing so many iconic original members could lack that special chemistry.

My expert opinion? Don‘t get your hopes up for Starship to return as a major touring act. However, it‘s not impossible we see Mickey and friends do some limited shows at festivals or private events. But a high-grossing multi-city tour on the scale of their 80s heyday seems like a long-shot at best.

The good news is that the music lives on forever! You can re-live the magic of Starship anytime just by streaming their timeless hits. And who knows – maybe one day the stars will align for one more flight! I‘d welcome it, but I‘m not booking my tickets yet. Let me know if you have any other classic rock band touring questions!