Jefferson Airplane Drummer Joey Covington Killed In Car Crash

Joey Covington, the drummer for the 1960s band Jefferson Airplane, died this week in a car accident in Palm Springs, Florida.

According to TMZ, Covington was driving alone at about 5pm on Tuesday when he crashed into a retaining wall. No other cars were involved in the crash.

Police do not believe that drugs or alcohol were involved in the car accident.

A message on the Jefferson Airplane website reads: “We were very sad of the passing of Joey Covington, drummer for Jefferson Airplane this past Tuesday. He was an early collaborator with Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, helping found Hot Tuna before taking on the full time gig as JA’s drummer in 1970. He was a lifelong musician, playing one of many free gigs in his community of Palm Springs as recently as June 1 this year.”

CBS News reports that Covington, 67, was a mainstay on the music scene during the 60s and 70s. Covington founded the blues rock group Hot Tuna in 1969. He later joined Jefferson Airplane, writing songs like “Pretty as You Feel” for Jefferson Airplane and “With Your Love” by Jefferson Starship.

Fellow drummer Alvin Taylor said: “Joey was just down-to-earth, the most honest person, loving — he really loved his wife, Lauren, with all of his heart — just a very kind, considerate, jovial person.”