Summary
Get ready to blast off into the psychedelic sunset with “Thirty Seconds Over Winterland”! Released in 1973 under catalog number GRUNT BFL 1-0147 (26.21349), this live vinyl by Jefferson Airplane captures the energetic twilight of a counterculture icon. Press play and be transported to the band’s raucous 1972 performances, where classic rock mixed with cosmic fireworks and a hint of unpredictability. For fans old and new, this record is not just music—it’s a keyhole into San Francisco’s audacious, freewheeling spirit.

About the Artist
Before Jefferson Airplane soared over Winterland, they ruled the psychedelic skies. Formed in San Francisco in 1965, the band quickly became pioneers of the psychedelic rock genre. Their sound—a blend of folk, rock, and acid-tinged experimentation—helped define the Summer of Love. Hits like “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love” made them household names, with Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, and Jorma Kaukonen at the creative helm.

By the time “Thirty Seconds Over Winterland” was recorded, the band had weathered line-up changes and cultural shifts. The mid-’70s Jefferson Airplane looked a little different, featuring David Freiberg and John Barbata, but their passion for live improvisation was stronger than ever. This album represents their closing act before morphing into Jefferson Starship.

About the Record
Where earlier Airplane records conveyed studio-crafted psychedelia, “Thirty Seconds Over Winterland” is untamed and in-the-moment. The album bundles highlights from their last tour, with tracks recorded at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom and Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre.

Unlike their earlier works, which tended toward sprawling studio experimentation, “Thirty Seconds” is raw and organic—a time capsule of the band’s final curtain call.

Even the title hints at ephemerality: you’re only airborne for thirty seconds before you must land, echoing the band’s transition.

About the Cover
Let’s talk about those flying toasters. Yes, the tongue-in-cheek cover art, featuring cartoon toasters with wings fluttering over a surreal blue sky, is as memorable as the music itself. The cover’s playful absurdity echoes the band’s flair for cheeky, imaginative visuals.

Fun trivia: This toaster squadron later inspired a famous computer screensaver by After Dark—a legal tussle for another day! The cover’s whimsy perfectly bookends Jefferson Airplane’s penchant for cosmic joke-making and offbeat humor.

About the Lyrics & Music
“Thirty Seconds Over Winterland” kicks off with “Have You Seen the Saucers?”, an acid-drenched inquiry into extraterrestrial encounters, underpinned by Kaukonen’s muscular guitar licks. “When the Earth Moves Again” channels post-’60s idealism, while “Feel So Good” is a ten-minute jam out of the San Francisco playbook—riffs twisting, organs swirling.

Standout track “Crown of Creation” is a dark, poetic rumination, with Grace Slick’s vocals ringing authoritative and defiant. Another track is  “Milk Train,” a bluesy, amped-up journey into inner and outer space.

Conclusion
“Thirty Seconds Over Winterland” isn’t just a live album—it’s the last shout of one of rock’s greatest experimentalists before takeoff into a new era. The record bridges generations, blending acid rock roots with the new directions the band members would pursue.

Whether you’re hunting for nostalgia or rocking out for the very first time, this vinyl captures Jefferson Airplane’s wit, warmth, and wondrous noise at a crossroads moment. It’s a must-own for any self-respecting collector of classic rock.

Other Recommendations
If “Thirty Seconds Over Winterland” has your turntable spinning, check out these sonic cousins:

“Bless Its Pointed Little Head” (1969) – Jefferson Airplane’s earlier live album, raw and riotous.
“After Bathing at Baxter’s” (1967) – For those craving studio psychedelia and far-out musings.
Jefferson Starship’s “Dragon Fly” (1974) – To follow where the Airplane members went next.
“Volunteers” (1969) by Jefferson Airplane – A revolutionary mix of rock and protest anthems.
Grateful Dead’s “Europe ’72” – Another San Francisco Bay Area band with jaw-dropping live energy and psych-rock vibes.
Let these records be your ticket to the edge of the psychedelic solar system—by way of Winterland.