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Jefferson Airplane drummer Joey Covington dies in car crash

Joey Covington, a drummer with rock group Jefferson Airplane, died following a car crash in Palm Springs, Calif. early on June 5, according to The Desert Sun. The ID was confirmed by the Riverside County Coroner's Office by KESQ-TV. Covington was 67.According to the Sun, Covington crashed his Honda Civic into a retaining wall at a curve in the road, and flew into an elevated driveway. Stephen Wall

Joey Covington, a drummer with rock group Jefferson Airplane, died following a car crash in Palm Springs, Calif. early on June 5, according to The Desert Sun. The ID was confirmed by the Riverside County Coroner's Office by KESQ-TV. Covington was 67.

According to the Sun, Covington crashed his Honda Civic into a retaining wall at a curve in the road, and flew into an elevated driveway. Stephen Wallace, a guest staying in a nearby hotel, tried to resuscitate Covington but the injured man died at the scene. Police did not believe drugs or alcohol were involved, but reported that he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Friend Keith McCormick said Covington had just performed on Saturday at a birthday concert for Marilyn Monroe's 87th birthday. He added that Covington's common-law wife (who went unnamed in the article) suspected a stroke or heart attack led to the car crash.

Covington helped found Hot Tuna in 1969 with Jefferson Airplane members Jack Casady, Jorma Kaukonen and Paul Kantner while singer Grace Slick took time off after surgery. Later he played on several Jefferson Airplane albums including "Volunteers," and co-wrote Jefferson Starship's "With Your Love" in 1976.

Pacific Gas & Electric drummer Alvin Taylor met Covington shortly after he connected with members of Airplane and told The Sun, “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."