Signe Toly Anderson was born on September 15, 1941, and died on January 28, 2016.
He was an American singer.
Signe was one of the founding members of Jefferson Airplane, the American rock band.
She was raised in Portland, Oregon, and was a locally known and well-respected jazz and folk singer before joining Jefferson Airplane after a trip to San Francisco.
Next she joined the Airplane, Signe married one of the Merry Pranksters, Jerry Anderson, a marriage that lasted from 1965 to 1974.
Signe sang on the first Jefferson Airplane album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, most notably on the song “Chauffeur Blues”.
Signe Anderson doubted the Airplane’s original manager, Matthew Katz, and refused to sign a contract with him until he inserted a special escape clause freeing her from him if she left the band for any reason.
Anderson, in July 1966, informed Bill Graham that she was quitting the band after a series of shows they were playing in Chicago, realizing that bringing her newborn child, with then-husband Jerry Anderson, on the road was not feasible.
Signe Anderson’s final live performances with the Jefferson Airplane were two sets on October 15, 1966, at The Fillmore.
And both her performances were recorded (as were most Fillmore shows) and have surfaced on some bootleg albums.
Collector’s Choice music in cooperation with Sony finally released the second show on a legitimate CD issue, in August 2010.
However, it seemed like then end until, Marty Balin returned to announce that Anderson was leaving the group.
Signe goodbye to the fans, recorded for posterity, was as follows: “I want you all to wear smiles and daisies and box balloons.
Saying I love you all. Thank you and goodbye.” At several fans’ request, Anderson and the band performed her signature number, “Chauffeur Blues.” They finished the night with “High Flying Bird,” and thus ended Anderson’s time with the Airplane.
Then, the band returned to play two more shows the following night with Grace Slick on board for the first time.
Signe Toly Anderson passed away at 74 yrs old.