Jefferson Starship Announces 2026 Tour with Atlanta Rhythm Section and Firefall

The iconic arena rock group will hit the road with special guests for their "Runaway Again" tour.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:00am

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Jefferson Starship, one of the most successful arena rock groups of the 1970s and 80s, has announced a new tour for 2026 titled "Runaway Again." The tour will feature special guests Atlanta Rhythm Section and Firefall. Jefferson Starship has experienced numerous lineup changes over the years, but the core of the band's magic remains, including founding member David Freiberg. The current touring lineup also features drummer Donny Baldwin, keyboardist Chris Smith, lead vocalist Cathy Richardson, and lead guitarist Jude Gold.

Why it matters

Jefferson Starship was a pioneering force in the arena rock genre, earning 3 platinum and 8 gold records along with numerous Top 40 hits. The band's reunion tour with Atlanta Rhythm Section and Firefall will bring together three iconic acts from the classic rock era, giving fans a chance to relive the glory days of 1970s and 80s rock music.

The details

Jefferson Starship first formed in 1974 with an initial lineup that included John Barbata, Craig Chaquico, Papa John Creach, David Freiberg, Paul Kantner, Peter Kaukonen, and Grace Slick. The band released their debut album "Dragon Fly" in 1975, which went gold. Marty Balin later joined the group, reuniting him with former Jefferson Airplane bandmates. This lineup recorded the hugely successful "Red Octopus" album in 1975, which reached #1 on the charts. After further personnel changes, the band morphed into "Starship" and continued their commercial success. In 1992, Paul Kantner revived the Jefferson Starship name, and the current touring lineup features founding member Freiberg along with other longtime collaborators.

  • The "Runaway Again" tour will take place in 2026.
  • Jefferson Starship first formed and began touring in 1974.

The players

Jefferson Starship

An iconic American arena rock group that formed in 1974 and had numerous hit albums and singles throughout the 1970s and 80s.

Atlanta Rhythm Section

A Southern rock band that rose to prominence in the 1970s, known for hits like "Doraville" and "So Into You."

Firefall

A country rock band that found success in the 1970s with songs like "You Are the Woman" and "Just Remember I Love You."

David Freiberg

A founding member of Jefferson Starship who has been part of the band's various incarnations over the decades.

Donny Baldwin

The longtime drummer for Jefferson Starship and its predecessor Starship.

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What they’re saying

“Jefferson Starship is one of the most iconic arena rock groups of all time, and we're thrilled to be reuniting with Atlanta Rhythm Section and Firefall for this tour. Fans are in for an unforgettable night of classic rock hits.”

— David Freiberg, Founding Member, Jefferson Starship (territorialdispatch.com)

What’s next

Tickets for the "Runaway Again" tour will go on sale to the general public on June 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This tour brings together three legendary acts from the golden age of arena rock, giving fans a rare opportunity to experience the timeless music that defined an era and influenced countless artists that followed.