Janis Joplin

Big Brother & The Holding Company

(b.19 January 1943, Port Arthur, Texas, USA, d. 4 October 1970)

Joplin developed a brash, uncompromising vocal style quite unlike accustomed folk madonnas Joan Baez and Judy Collins.   In 1963 Janis moved to San Francisco where she became a regular attraction at the North Beach Coffee Gallery. This initial spell was blighted by her addiction to amphetamines and in 1965 Joplin returned to Texas in an effort to dry out.  The following year Janis was invited back to the Bay Area to front Big Brother And The Holding Company. Janis’ reputation blossomed following the Monterey Pop Festival, of which she was one of the star attractions.  Electric Flag members Mike Bloomfield, Harvey Brooks and Nick Gravenites helped assemble a new act, initially known as Janis And The Joplinaires, but later as the Full Tilt Boogie Band.  In July they toured Canada with the Grateful Dead, before commencing work on a ‘debut’ album, Pearl.  The sessions were all but complete when, on 4 October 1970, Joplin died of a heroin overdose at her Hollywood hotel. Links Page