Spitfire (Jefferson Starship album)

Spitfire is the third album by American rock band Jefferson Starship. Released in 1976, a year after the chart-topping Red Octopus, it quickly scaled the charts, peaking for six consecutive weeks at No. 3 in Billboard and attaining a RIAA platinum certification. The album features writing contributions from members of singer Marty Balin's former band Bodacious DF, as well as Jesse Barish, who became one of Balin's frequent collaborators. Stereo and quadraphonic mixes of the album were released. "Song to the Sun" was included in the 1977 Laserock program.

Record World said that the single "St. Charles" "has the kind of haunting melody line that characterized [Jefferson Starship's] recent hits."

Personnel

 * Grace Slick – lead (3, 7) and backing vocals, piano (5, 7)
 * Marty Balin – lead (1, 4, 6, 9) and backing vocals
 * Paul Kantner – lead (2, 5) and backing vocals, rhythm guitar
 * Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, backing vocals
 * David Freiberg – keyboards (1-4, 6, 9), ARP synthesizer (5), bass (7, 8), backing vocals
 * Pete Sears – bass (1-6, 9), piano (2, 5b), Mellotron (3), keyboards (4, 8), organ (5a, 7), Moog (5a, 7)
 * John Barbata – drums, percussion, backing and lead (8) vocals


 * Additional personnel
 * Bobbye Hall – percussion, congas
 * Dave Roberts – string and horn arrangements
 * Steven Schuster – saxophone (5b)

Production

 * Jefferson Starship – producer, art direction
 * Larry Cox – producer, engineer
 * Steve Malcolm – assistant to the engineer
 * Pat Ieraci (Maurice) – production coordinator
 * Bill Thompson – manager
 * Cassandra Gaviola – dragon princess
 * Paul Dowell – amp consultant
 * John Langdon – label art
 * Tim Bryant/Gribbit – album design, art direction
 * Ron Slenzak – cover photography
 * Shusei Nagaoka – illustration
 * Recorded and Mixed at Wally Heiders, San Francisco
 * Mastered by Kent Duncan, Kendun Recorders, Burbank

Singles / music videos

 * "With Your Love" (7/24/76) #12 US
 * "St. Charles" (12/4/76) #64 US