Marty Balin, co-founder of Jefferson Airplane, dies aged 76

Marty Balin, who was a co-founder of Jefferson Airplane and a member of its later incarnation Jefferson Starship, passed away at the age of 76. The cause of death is still unknown.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, who was also awarded with the Grammy Lifetime Award, co-wrote five songs on Jefferson Airplane's famous album Surrealistic Pillow, Billboard reported.

He wrote some all-time hit tunes, including "It's No Secret," "Today," "Comin' Back To Me," "Plastic Fantastic Lover," "Share a Little Joke" and "Volunteers."

Balin quit the group about a year later and joined Jefferson Starship in 1974. In 1978, he launched a solo career before returning to Jefferson Starship from 2004 to 2008.

Balin's wife Susan, in a statement, said, "Marty and I shared the deepest of love, he often called it Nirvana, and it was. But really, we were all touched by his love. His presence will be within my entire being forever.