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Set I
Janis (Lyn) Joplin Biography (1943 - 1970)
Singer, songwriter. Born on January 19, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas. A rock legend, Janis Joplin was known for her powerful, blues-influenced vocals. Growing up in a small Texas town, she gravitated toward blues and jazz music and was inspired by such artists as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. Joplin became playing small gigs in Texas, California, and New York.
Joplin moved to San Francisco in 1966 and became a part of the group known as Big Brother and the Holding Company. The group was part of the burgeoning San Francisco music scene of the late 1960s, which also included such bands as the Grateful Dead. It was not long before Big Brother and the Holding Company developed quite a following in the area. Their appearance at the now legendary Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 brought them wider acclaim. They released their first self-titled album in 1968, but it was their second album was a huge hit. The wildly successful Cheap Thrills (1968) featured “Piece of My Heart” and “Ball and Chain.” These songs helped cement Joplin’s reputation as a unique and dynamic bluesy rock singer.
Leaving to pursue a solo career, Joplin recorded with other bands playing back up. Her first solo effort, I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama! (1969), with Kozmic Blues Band, received mixed reviews. Some of the recording’s most memorable songs were “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” and “To Love Somebody,” a cover of a Bee Gees’ tune. Outside of music, Joplin appeared to be struggling with alcohol and drugs, including an addiction to heroin.
Unfortunately, Joplin’s next album would be her most successful, but also her last. She recorded Pearl (1971) with the Full Tilt Boogie Band and wrote two of its songs, the powerful, rocking “Move Over” and “Mercedes Benz,” a gospel-styled send-up of consumerism. After a long struggle with drugs, Joplin died from an accidental heroin overdose on October 4, 1970 at a hotel in Hollywood. Pearl was released the next year and quickly became a hit. The single “Me and Bobby McGee,” which was written by Kris Kristofferson, reached the top of the charts.
Despite her untimely death, Joplin’s songs continue to win new fans and inspire other performers. Numerous collections of her songs have been released over the years, including In Concert (1971) and Box of Pearls (1999). In recognition of her accomplishments, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a posthumous Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards in 2005.
A powerful female rock performer and a colorful personality, Joplin has been the subject of many books and documentaries, including Love, Janis (1992) written by her sister Laura Joplin. That book has been turned into a play by the same title. There are also reports of two different film versions of her life are in works.
Singer, songwriter. Born on January 19, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas. A rock legend, Janis Joplin was known for her powerful, blues-influenced vocals. Growing up in a small Texas town, she gravitated toward blues and jazz music and was inspired by such artists as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. Joplin became playing small gigs in Texas, California, and New York.
Joplin moved to San Francisco in 1966 and became a part of the group known as Big Brother and the Holding Company. The group was part of the burgeoning San Francisco music scene of the late 1960s, which also included such bands as the Grateful Dead. It was not long before Big Brother and the Holding Company developed quite a following in the area. Their appearance at the now legendary Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 brought them wider acclaim. They released their first self-titled album in 1968, but it was their second album was a huge hit. The wildly successful Cheap Thrills (1968) featured “Piece of My Heart” and “Ball and Chain.” These songs helped cement Joplin’s reputation as a unique and dynamic bluesy rock singer.
Leaving to pursue a solo career, Joplin recorded with other bands playing back up. Her first solo effort, I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama! (1969), with Kozmic Blues Band, received mixed reviews. Some of the recording’s most memorable songs were “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” and “To Love Somebody,” a cover of a Bee Gees’ tune. Outside of music, Joplin appeared to be struggling with alcohol and drugs, including an addiction to heroin.
Unfortunately, Joplin’s next album would be her most successful, but also her last. She recorded Pearl (1971) with the Full Tilt Boogie Band and wrote two of its songs, the powerful, rocking “Move Over” and “Mercedes Benz,” a gospel-styled send-up of consumerism. After a long struggle with drugs, Joplin died from an accidental heroin overdose on October 4, 1970 at a hotel in Hollywood. Pearl was released the next year and quickly became a hit. The single “Me and Bobby McGee,” which was written by Kris Kristofferson, reached the top of the charts.
Despite her untimely death, Joplin’s songs continue to win new fans and inspire other performers. Numerous collections of her songs have been released over the years, including In Concert (1971) and Box of Pearls (1999). In recognition of her accomplishments, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a posthumous Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards in 2005.
A powerful female rock performer and a colorful personality, Joplin has been the subject of many books and documentaries, including Love, Janis (1992) written by her sister Laura Joplin. That book has been turned into a play by the same title. There are also reports of two different film versions of her life are in works.
Set II
Set III
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"Janis". Documentary about the Life and Music of Janis Joplin.
Last Changed By
Dan Anderson
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