Jefferson Starship has announced their plans to go back on the road. Later this month, the group begins their Carry the Fire Tour. The show is named in honor of Paul Kantner, who passed away last January. Cathy Richardson spoke in the press release announcing the new shows about the band’s continued existence stands in tribute to Kantner — and former Jefferson Airplane/Starship singer Grace Slick, who granted the current lineup a lifetime license to use the Jefferson Starship name upon Kantner’s death.

“A family doesn’t break up when a loved one dies, they grieve and they remember and they carry on,” said Richardson. “We do it for Paul, and for Grace, as much as we do it for ourselves, and especially for the fans for whom this music means so much. We do it for the kids who are just discovering the music now.”

David Freiberg, singer and multi-instrumentalist, sees the group’s activity as a reflection of how timeless their songs remain. “Here we are, now 50 years after the Summer of Love, for all the progress we’ve made as a society, watching the pendulum swing backwards, toward divisiveness devoid of compassion,” said Freiberg. “It’s more important than ever for us to keep playing, to keep that revolutionary spirit alive and, as Paul said, carry the fire, to shine light where there is darkness. It’s why we picked up guitars and started singing in the first place.”

Check out the band’s website for ticket details and more announcements.

Jefferson Starship Carry the Fire Tour Dates
3/24 – Bonita Springs, FL (Southwest Florida PAC)
3/25 – West Palm Beach, FL (The Bowery)
3/26 – Key West, FL (Key West Theater)
4/01 – New Port Richey, FL (Sims Park Amphitheatre)
5/06 – Hopkins, MN (Hopkins Center)
5/26 – San Juan Capsitrano, CA (the Coach House)
5/27 – Topenga, CA (Topenga Days)
7/14 – Kettering, OH (Fraze Pavilion)
7/15 – Lakeside, OH (Hoover Auditorium)
8/26 – Billings, MT