The 500 - #373 - Volunteers - Jefferson Airplane

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 373

Album Title: Volunteers
Artist: Jefferson Airplane

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock, Folk Rock
Recorded: Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco
Released: November, 1969
My age at release: 4
How familiar was I with it before this week: Not at all
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: We Can Be Together

The Vietnam War, or Second Indo-China War (1955-1975), was ever-present when I was a teen and young adult in the 1980s. Not in reality, but in film. 

Vietnam themed films of the 1980s

This wasn't new subject matter. Films about the conflict in Vietnam were being released even as the war raged on -- John Wayne's The Green Berets, is probably the most recognizable example.

The Green Berets featuring John Wayne (1968)

However, unlike The Green Berets, which was decidedly pro-military, the films of my youth examined the war more critically. In the late 70s and early 80s, the returning Vietnam veteran, physically and emotionally wounded from the experience, loomed large in society. So, understandably, they became an important part of contemporary storytelling.

Vietnam veterans hold a silent march
past the White House - April 22, 1971. 

Additionally, many film-makers, including Oliver Stone (Platoon, Born On The Fourth Of July), had participated in combat during this war. 

It was a time when I was becoming a movie buff. The 1980s was also a decade when video-cassette-recorders (VCRs) were an affordable option for families. Additionally, I was fortunate to live a $1 bus ride away from dozens of movie theatres, including The New Yorker, a revival house or repertory cinema, which exposed me to war-themed films from the 70s, including Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter and Coming Home. 

Vietnam themed films of the 1970s

These films not only helped me develop my understanding of this turbulent period in history, they were also my first exposure to the music of that time. As a result, I became a fan of The Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones and, this week's featured artist, Jefferson Airplane. 

Promotional photo (1966) Top Row - Casady, Slick Balin
Bottom Row - Kaukonen, Kantner, Dryden (l-r)

Volunteers was the fifth release by American psychedelic rock group Jefferson Airplane. It also marked the final release by the group's classic line-up: Marty Balin (vocals), Paul Kantner (guitars, vocals), Grace Slick (vocals), Jorma Kaukonen (guitars, vocals), Spencer Dryden (drums) and Jack Casady (bass).

The record was controversial not only because of its lyrics, which were anti-war and anti-government, but also because it contained profanity. The record company, RCA, was initially hesitant to release the album because of the R-rated language, but a precedent had been set when they released the soundtrack to the Broadway musical Hair in 1968. 

Original Cast Recording of Hair - released by RCA (1968)

The times and issues have changed, but frustration with government decision making continues today. Many Ontarians are justifiably angry about the federal and provincial mishandling of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, including the unreliability of vaccine availability. Consequently, I returned to virtual learning with my Grade 7 class this week. 

As I played Volunteers, the themes of frustration, loss, nature, community and ecology found a way to resonate with me in 2021 as they must have with young anti-war protesters in 1969 -- when the second Indo-China War raged into its third decade under a fourth U.S. administration.

What about you? 

Got a favourite Jefferson Airplane song...or a favourite film about the war in Vietnam?