Marty Balin was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the founder and one of the lead vocalists of the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane. His distinctive tenor voice, characterized by its emotional expressiveness, was integral to the band's signature sound. Balin's contributions were significant during the 1960s counterculture movement, with influential works such as "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit". His style blended elements of rock, folk, and psychedelic music, setting the groundwork for the band's transition to Jefferson Starship in the mid-1970s.