Drummer John Barbata has died at the age of 79.
Barbata played for numerous legendary rock bands, including Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Jefferson Starship.
As a member of the iconic band The Turtles, he recorded the hit songs Happy Together and She’d Rather Be with Me.
His death was confirmed by Rolling Stone. Best classical bands reported that he died on May 8.
Barbata’s cause of death remains unknown at this time.
Drummer John Barbata dies at 79
His musical career saw Barbata join The Turtles in 1966 as a replacement for founding drummer Don Murray.
He was immortalized in music history soon after, recording his hit songs Happy Together and She’d Rather Be With Me, along with his three subsequent albums Happy Together, The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands and Turtle Soup.
His musical skills were also showcased on television: he performed on American Bandstand, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Ed Sullivan Show, according to NewJersey.com.
Shortly after The Turtles disbanded, Barbata joined Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and then Jefferson Airplane.
He was followed by Jefferson Starship, a band that included former members of Jefferson Airplane. Barbata’s drumming skills appeared on four LPs recorded by the band: Dragon Fly, Red Octopus, Spitfire and Earth, according to Rolling Stone.
But after surviving a car accident that left him with multiple injuries, he took time off to overcome his injuries and left Jefferson Airplane.
Once recovered, he returned to the music world, becoming a session drummer for artists such as Linda Ronstadt and Ry Cooder, according to Best Classic Bands.
His legendary musical career was chronicled in his 2005 memoir, The Legendary Life of a Rock Star Drummer.
His musical career saw Barbata join The Turtles in 1966 as a replacement for founding drummer Don Murray.
His death was confirmed by Rolling Stone. Best Classic Bands reported that he probably died on May 8
Barbata with Jefferson Starship in 1978
Jefferson Starship’s drummer recording his album Earth
Jefferson Starship paid tribute to Barbata on Facebook
Barbata was also almost a member of another influential rock band: The Eagles. However, he turned down an offer to join the group.
‘(David) Geffen came up to me and said, “There’s a new group forming and they want you to be a part of it. They’re called the Eagles.” I said, “Who the hell are the Eagles? I never heard of them,” Barbata told the Phoenix new times in 2014.
Jefferson Starship paid tribute to Barbata on Facebook, posting Monday: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of the great John Barbata, the original drummer of Jefferson Starship. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans. Rock in peace, Johnny!
Jefferson Airplane posted on their Facebook: ‘Rest in peace, John Barbata, a legendary drummer for Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.’
‘Known for his exceptional talent, John made his mark on the music world playing with bands such as The Turtles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. In ’72, during a hiatus at CSN&Y, John was introduced to The Airplane by David Crosby, who hired John on the spot.
‘You can hear John’s drumming skills on the band’s latest studio album, LONG JOHN SILVER, as well as the live album THIRTY SECONDS OVER WINTERLAND. Rest in peace, John.’