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John Barbata, Drummer for the Turtles and Jefferson Starship, Dead at 79

John Barbata, the drummer who played with the Turtles, Jefferson Starship, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, has died at the age of 79.

Soon after the Turtles dissolved in 1970, Barbata was recruited to step in as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s drummer, joining that Rock Hall-inducted band for a stretch of concerts that were documented on the live album 4 Way Street. CSN&Y had a temporary breakup following 4 Way Street, but Barbata remained in its members’ universe, playing on Neil Young’s Time Fades Away, Graham Nash’s Songs for Beginners, Stephen Stills’ 1970 self-titled record and more. With that ever-changing band, Barbata played drums on four LPs: 1974’s Dragon Fly, 1975’s Red Octopus(which contained the hit “Miracles”), 1976’s Spitfire, and 1978’s Earth, after which a car accident and a year-long recovery forced him to depart the group.

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