Jefferson Starship to help Microsoft launch Vista

Microsoft has hired Jefferson Starship to help launch their new Vista operating system. The Starship will play on the back of a special Microsoft flatbed truck in four cities in the coming weeks -- Los Angeles on Tuesday (January 30th); San Francisco on February 7th; New Orleans on February 13th; and Austin, Texas, on March 14th.

All shows will be on the Microsoft/T-Mobile "Airship" Stage, and according to a message from the band's manager on the official Jefferson Starship website, "They are providing a revolutionary, dynamic portable stage that opens like a lotus from a flatbed. The truck itself is decorated with our name and the dates and can be seen cruising around the streets of the cities we are to perform in, several days in advance of the concerts." There's also a website for the Starship/Microsoft/T-Mobile project at skysurprise.com.

Microsoft's new Vista software goes on sale to consumers on Tuesday (January 30th).

Microsoft has a bit of history with new operating systems and classic rock bands -- the company reportedly gave the Rolling Stones several million dollars for the rights to use "Start Me Up" in the ad campaign for Windows 95.