"Volunteers" is the fifth studio album by the American psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane, released in 1969 on RCA Records. The album's release was marked by controversy due to its revolutionary and anti-war lyrics, as well as its use of profanity. Originally titled "Volunteers of Amerika," the album's title was shortened after objections from Volunteers of America, a religious charity.
This album marked the departure of Jefferson Airplane founder Marty Balin and drummer Spencer Dryden, although they both briefly appeared on the "Mexico" single released in 1970 and its B-side "Have You Seen the Saucers?" Their departure signaled the end of the band's "classic" lineup of musicians.
Following the release of "Volunteers," Jefferson Airplane's output slowed down significantly. Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen focused more on their blues side project, Hot Tuna, while Paul Kantner and Grace Slick pursued solo ventures, releasing albums like "Blows Against the Empire" and "Sunfighter." They also celebrated the birth of their daughter China in 1971.
"Volunteers" itself was a departure from the band's earlier sound, incorporating more overtly political themes and embracing a harder rock edge. The title track, "Volunteers," became an anthem of sorts for the counterculture movement of the late 1960s.
Despite the changes within the band and the shifting musical landscape, "Volunteers" remains a significant album in Jefferson Airplane's discography, reflecting the social and political upheavals of its time and marking a transition point for the band's sound and lineup.
