# Remembering When a Rebranded Band of Rock Veterans Delivered the First No. 1 Hits of a Two-Decade Career in 1985

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/remembering-when-a-rebranded-band-of-rock-veterans-delivered-the-first-no-1-hits-of-a-two-decade-career-in-1985/
- Published: 2026-10-23T10:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T10:15:06+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/remembering-when-a-rebranded-band-of-rock-veterans-delivered-the-first-no-1-hits-of-a-two-decade-career-in-1985/
- Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Jefferson Starship became Starship after Paul Kantner left.
- A polished pop sound delivered two No. 1 singles in 1985.
- Starship scored another chart-topper in 1987.

## Summary

In 1985, the veteran band formerly known as Jefferson Starship rebranded as Starship and shifted towards polished, commercially minded pop. The new direction brought them their first US No. 1 singles, showing how a group with roots in 1960s psychedelic rock could find major success two decades later.

Paul Kantner left after objecting to the band’s musical direction and, as owner of the Jefferson Airplane name, opposed its continued use; the group eventually continued as Starship. On *Knee Deep in the Hoopla*, Mickey Thomas took the lead, Peter Wolf co-produced, and outside songwriters and synthesised backing tracks helped shape the sound. “We Built This City” and “Sara” both reached No. 1 in 1985, while “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” topped the charts in 1987.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.