Signe Toly Anderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Signe Toly Anderson
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Anderson in a 1966 Jefferson Airplane photo
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Signe Toly |
| Born | September 15, 1941 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | January 28, 2016 (aged 74) Beaverton, Oregon, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1965–1997 |
| Associated acts |
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Signe Toly Anderson (pronounced SIG-nee; born September 15, 1941 – died January 28, 2016) was an American singer. She was one of the first members of the famous American rock band Jefferson Airplane.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Signe Toly was born in Seattle, Washington, on September 15, 1941. When she was three years old, her parents separated. She then moved with her mother to Portland, Oregon, where she grew up.
Even before joining Jefferson Airplane, Signe loved to sing. In high school, she was part of a band called "Three Guys and a Gal." This group even performed at a campaign event for John F. Kennedy in 1959.
Joining Jefferson Airplane
Before joining Jefferson Airplane, Signe was a well-known jazz and folk singer in San Francisco. A musician named Marty Balin heard her sing and asked her to join his new band. This band soon became known as Jefferson Airplane.
Signe became an important part of the band. She sang on their very first album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off. One of her most famous songs from that album was "Chauffeur Blues".
Leaving the Band
In July 1966, Signe decided to leave Jefferson Airplane. She had a new baby with her husband, Jerry Anderson, and realized that traveling on tour with a newborn was too difficult.
The band's manager, Bill Graham, asked her to stay a little longer. This gave the band time to find a new singer. They eventually chose Grace Slick to replace her.
Signe's last performances with Jefferson Airplane were on October 15, 1966. These shows were recorded and later released as an album called Live at The Fillmore Auditorium 10/15/66: Late Show – Signe's Farewell. At the end of her last show, she told the audience: "I want you all to wear smiles and daisies and box balloons. I love you all. Thank you and goodbye."
Life After Jefferson Airplane
After leaving Jefferson Airplane, Signe Anderson moved back to Oregon. She continued her music career there. For nine years, she sang with a band called Carl Smith and the Natural Gas Company.
In 1977, she married Michael Alois Ettlin, a building contractor. She also made guest appearances with other bands, including the KBC Band and Jefferson Starship.
Later Years and Passing
Signe Anderson faced some health challenges later in her life. Her husband, Michael, passed away in 2011.
Signe died at her home in Beaverton, Oregon, on January 28, 2016. She was 74 years old. She passed away from a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Interestingly, Paul Kantner, another co-founder of Jefferson Airplane, also died on the same day at age 74.
Her former bandmate, Jorma Kaukonen, shared a tribute to her. He said that Signe was a very strong person and like a "den mother" to the band in their early days. He remembered her as a "voice of reason" and an important part of their group.
See also
In Spanish: Signe Toly Anderson para niños
