 Baldwin began his career as a drummer for Elvin Bishop during the 1970s, where he worked with his future Jefferson Starship bandmate Mickey Thomas.When the Elvin Bishop band disbanded he joined the Santa Cruz band Snail and gigged around the Bay Area (including a stint with Pablo Cruise) until 1982.After Aynsley Dunbar left Jefferson Starship in 1982, Baldwin replaced him and joined his old bandmate Thomas; he made his recorded debut with the band on the "Nuclear Furniture" LP in 1984.