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Drummer John Barbata has died at age 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 Classic Bands reported he likely passed on May 8.
Barbata’s cause of death remains unknown at this time.
Drummer John Barbata has died at age 79
His music career saw Barbata join The Turtles in 1966 as a replacement for founding drummer Don Murray.
He became immortalized in music history shortly thereafter, recording their hit songs 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.
Not long after the dissolution of The Turtles, Barbata joined Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and then Jefferson Airplane.
Jefferson Starship, a band featuring former Jefferson Airplane members, followed. Barbata’s drumming skills appeared in four LPs recorded by the band: Dragon Fly, Red Octopus, Spitfire, and Earth, according to Rolling Stone.
After surviving a car accident that left him with multiple injuries, he took time off to overcome his injuries and departed Jefferson Airplane.
Once he recovered, he returned to the world of music, becoming a session drummer for the likes of Linda Ronstadt and Ry Cooder, according to Best Classic Bands.
His legendary music career was chronicled in his 2005 memoir, The Legendary Life of a Rock Star Drummer.
Barbata was also almost a member of another influential rock band – The Eagles. However, he turned down an offer to join the group.
His music career saw Barbata join The Turtles in 1966 as a replacement for founding drummer Don Murray
His death was confirmed by Rolling Stone. Best Classic Bands reported he likely passed on May 8
Barbata with Jefferson Starship in 1978
The drummer with Jefferson Starship recording their album Earth
‘[David] Geffen walked over to me and said, “There is a new group forming, and they want you to be part of it. They are called the Eagles.” I said, “Who the hell are the Eagles? I never heard of them,”‘ Barbata told the Phoenix New Times in 2014.
Jefferson Starship paid tribute to Barbata on Facebook, posting on Monday: ‘We are saddened to hear of the passing of the great John Barbata, Jefferson Starship’s original drummer. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans. Rock in peace, Johnny!’
Jefferson Airplane posted to their Facebook: ‘Rest in Peace, John Barbata, a legendary drummer for Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.
‘Known for his exceptional talent, John left his mark on the music world by playing with bands such as The Turtles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jefferson Airplane, and Jefferson Starship. Back in ’72, during a hiatus for CSN&Y, David Crosby introduced John to the Airplane, who hired John instantly.
‘You can hear John’s drumming skills on the band’s final studio album, LONG JOHN SILVER, as well as the live album THIRTY SECONDS OVER WINTERLAND. Rest in Peace, John.’
