Martyn Jerel Buchwald (January 30, 1942 – September 27, 2018), known as Marty Balin , was an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the founder/leader and one of the lead singers and songwriters of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.

Balin was born Martyn Jerel Buchwald in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Catherine Eugenia “Jean” (née Talbot) and Joseph Buchwald. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Eastern Europe. His father was Jewish and his mother was Episcopalian Buchwald attended Washington High School in San Francisco, California. As a child, Balin was diagnosed with autism.