Paul Lorin Kantner (March 17, 1941 - January 28, 2016) was an American musician best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and backing vocalist of rock band Jefferson Airplane, as well as their successor band, Jefferson Starship. Kantner is considered one of the top rock musicians of the 1960's counterculture era.
As a musician, Kantner was the driving force of both Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. He was the longest continuous member of the band in its multiple incarnations, with 19 years in the original run of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship and 24 years in the revived Jefferson Starship. He was also involved in the Jefferson Airplane side projects Hot Tuna and the KBC Band.