John Barbata dead at 79: Drummer for the Turtles and Jefferson Starship passes away as music stars pay tribute
Drummer John Barbata has died at the age of 79.
Barbata played for numerous legendary rock bands, including Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Jefferson Starship.
As a member of the iconic band The Turtles, he recorded the hit tracks Happy Together and She’d Rather Be with Me.
His death was confirmed by Rolling stone. Best classical bands reported that he died on May 8.
Barbata’s cause of death is currently unknown.
Drummer John Barbata has died at the age of 79
During his music career, Barbata joined The Turtles in 1966 as a replacement for founding drummer Don Murray.
Soon after, he was immortalized in music history by recording their hits Happy Together and She’d Rather Be With Me, along with their subsequent three albums Happy Together, The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands and Turtle Soup.
His musical skills have also been seen on television: He has performed on American Bandstand, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Ed Sullivan Show, according to NJ.com.
Not long after the Turtles disbanded, Barbata joined Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and then Jefferson Airplane.
Jefferson Starship, a band featuring former Jefferson Airplane members, followed. Barbata’s drumming skills were showcased on four LPs recorded by the band: Dragon Fly, Red Octopus, Spitfire and Earth, according to Rolling Stone.
But after surviving a car accident that left him with multiple injuries, he took time off to overcome his injuries and left Jefferson Airplane.
Once he recovered, he returned to the music business and became a session drummer for Linda Ronstadt and Ry Cooder, among others, according to Best Classic Bands.
His legendary music career was chronicled in his 2005 memoir, The Legendary Life of a Rock Star Drummer.
During his music career, Barbata joined The Turtles in 1966 as a replacement for founding drummer Don Murray
His death was confirmed by Rolling Stone. Best Classic Bands reported that he probably died on May 8
Barbata with Jefferson Starship in 1978
The drummer from Jefferson Starship recording their album Earth
Jefferson Starship paid tribute to Barbata on Facebook
Barbata was also almost a member of another influential rock band: The Eagles. However, he turned down an offer to join the group.
‘[David] Geffen walked up to me and said, “There’s a new group forming and they want you to be part of it. They’re called the Eagles.’ I said, “Who are the Eagles? I’ve never heard of them,” Barbata told the BBC Phoenix New Times in 2014.
Jefferson Starship paid tribute to Barbata on Facebook, posting the following on Monday: “We are saddened to hear that the great John Barbata, original drummer for Jefferson Starship, has passed away. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans. Rest in peace, Johnny!’
Jefferson Airplane posted on their Facebook: “Rest in Peace, John Barbata, a legendary drummer for Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.
‘Known for his exceptional talent, John has made his mark on the music world playing with bands such as The Turtles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. In ’72, during a break for CSN&Y, David Crosby introduced John to the aircraft, which John immediately hired.
‘You can hear John’s drumming skills on the band’s latest studio album, LONG JOHN SILVER, and on the live album THIRTY SECONDS OVER WINTERLAND. Rest in peace, Jan.’