Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on December 10, 2025
Jorma Kaukonen receiving the proclamation from Jay Blakesberg (Credit: Sean Reiter)
Last Friday, Grammy-winning guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jorma Kaukonen celebrated his 85th birthday with an unforgettable, star-studded performance at The Masonic in San Francisco. Friends and collaborators including Tedeschi Trucks, Sam Grisman, Peter Kaukonen, Bruce Cockburn, John Hurlbut, Jack Casady, Ross Garren, and Justin Guip joined the Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna legend for a night honoring one of American music’s most influential guitarists.
In a fitting tribute to his impact on the city’s musical identity, the City of San Francisco officially proclaimed **December 5, 2025, as “Jorma Kaukonen Day.”** The proclamation highlighted Kaukonen’s historic role in shaping the Bay Area’s folk, rock, and psychedelic traditions, from the early Jefferson Airplane days to decades of acoustic and electric innovation.
The milestone arrives during what Kaukonen has described as the “cresting wave” era of his live career—an ongoing creative surge marked by intimate performances, deep musical exploration, and a renewed connection with audiences. He recently released a Record Store Day exclusive album, Wabash Avenue, featuring 1965 recordings captured before his tenure with Jefferson Airplane. The album offers a rare glimpse into Kaukonen’s formative artistry just before he stepped into the national spotlight.
Named one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists,” Kaukonen has spent more than six decades pioneering a singular fusion of folk, blues, and rock, influencing generations of musicians across genres. His contributions earned him the prestigious GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, recognizing a career defined by fearless innovation, emotional expression, and unwavering dedication to the craft of guitar.
At 85, Jorma Kaukonen remains a towering figure in American music—still performing, still evolving, and still inspiring musicians young and old. The celebration at The Masonic proved not only a tribute to his past, but a vibrant reminder of the creative fire that continues to define his present.
