BILL THOMPSON, RIP

BILL THOMPSON, who managed Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship, died of a heart attack at his California home on 1/13; he was 70.

Thompson succeeded Bill Graham as manager of the Airplane in 1968, and was "like a band member," according to guitarist/vocalist Jorma Kaukonen.

The Oklahoma native famously bought the 2400 Fulton Street house in San Francisco that served as the band's HQ, party spot and crash pad; he acquired it in 1968 and sold it for nearly ten times the purchase price in 1985. He oversaw the Airplane's tour with The Doors, arranged the placement of their songs in hit films and subsequently served as a consultant to Polygram, MCA and Relativity Records. He's survived by his wife, Stephanie, and son Tyrone.