Biography:

Janis Joplin was an American rock singer, considered the best white blues singer and one of the greatest vocalists in world rock music. Few of the artists could compare with her in terms of frantic energy and drive, and her unique voice continued to excite listeners even after the death of the star. The rock diva aroused controversial opinions, but could not leave anyone indifferent, completely devoting herself to creativity.

Childhood and youth:

The celebrity was born on January 19, 1943 in Texas and was raised in an atmosphere of classical music and intellectual books. Father Seth worked in a trading company, but at home he read books by Dante Alighieri and listened to classical operas. Dorothy’s mother devoted her life to raising children, although in her youth she was repeatedly offered to start a professional singing career.

By school age, Janice turned out to be intellectually precocious for her years, which is why she regularly had conflicts with classmates. What further aggravated the attitude of her peers towards the future celebrity was the fact that Joplin had anti-racist views, which was something extraordinary at that time.

The girl’s creativity also showed up early. At first she became interested in painting and often painted pictures of biblical subjects. Later, Janice joined a semi-underground circle of young people who studied modern literature, blues and folk music, and radical forms of art. It was there that the girl began to sing.

In 1960, Joplin entered Lamar University in Texas, where she studied for only 3 years, eventually dropping out in order to completely go into the musical environment. By the way, from the first days at the university, rumors began to spread about the outrageous girl. How could it be otherwise if she came to lectures in jeans, which shocked people at that time? Moreover, Janice often walked the streets barefoot and carried a string instrument, a zither, with her everywhere. As the student newspaper wrote about her:

“How dare she be different?”

Music:

Joplin began singing on stage while still in university, demonstrating to listeners her amazing vocals with three full-length octaves. The first song Janice recorded in the studio was the blues What Good Can Drinking Do. Later, with the support of friends, she released the album The Typewriter Tape.

Having moved to California, the singer performed in numerous clubs and bars. She sang both famous blues compositions – Trouble In Mind, Kansas City Blues, and her own – Long Black Train Blues and others. In 1966, Joplin joined the group Big Brother and the Holding Company. The talent of the new vocalist, as well as her charisma, brought the group to the forefront of the American scene, and Janice herself for the first time understood what it was like to bask in the rays of admiration.

The American recorded two albums with the group, the second of which, Cheap Thrills, is considered one of the best records of the 60s. But at the peak of her popularity, the singer left the group because she wanted to develop creatively.

Then came the Kozmic Blues Band and the Full Tilt Boogie Band. But no matter what the bands were called, it was clear to everyone that the audience was going to Joplin’s concert.

Janice turned out to be the first white singer who behaved extremely liberated on stage. She became completely immersed in the music she performed and disconnected from the real world. Also, before her, only black blues singers allowed the vocals to take on a life of their own. The American’s performances became not just expressive, but truly aggressive. As one of the singer’s colleagues said, Janice’s concerts were like a boxing match.

During her life, the artist did not record many studio albums, but she went down in history as a legend of rock music of the generation of beatniks and hippies. The last work in the studio was the album Pearl, which was released posthumously. Also later, recordings of live performances In Concert and the collection Janis were published. There were many previously unreleased songs included, including the ironic Mercedes Benz and the soulful and lyrical Me And Bobby McGee.

Personal life:

Despite the openness and emphasized sexuality on stage, as well as the presence of many lovers, Janice felt lonely. Among the men with whom the singer developed close relationships are legendary musicians Jimi Hendrix

Acquaintances of the American woman claimed that she sometimes experienced periods of excessive love, when Joplin even became bisexual. Peggy Casserta became one of the artist’s constant friends. The celebrity’s last lover turned out to be local rowdy Seth Morgan, whom she even planned to marry.

Death:

Janice died on October 4, 1970, in a room at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Los Angeles. She had been taking drugs of varying severity for many years, including purified heroin, which was found in her blood during an autopsy.

According to official information, the singer’s cause of death was an unintentional drug overdose. But for a long time, rumors of suicide circulated among the public, since the young woman, despite worldwide fame and a seemingly improving personal life, was deeply unhappy and felt lonely and exhausted.

Also, for some time, the version of murder was considered due to the fact that no drugs were found in the room. In addition, Joplin’s room turned out to be unnaturally tidy for her.

The celebrity’s remains were cremated, after which her ashes were scattered over the waters of the Pacific Ocean along the California coast. The last recording of Janice’s voice was an audio congratulation to another rock legend – John Lennon . The cassette was delivered to the recipient after the singer had passed away. After her death, the artist was included in the famous “Club 27,” which also included her friend Hendrix, Jim Morrison , Kurt Cobain and other singers who died at a young age.

Memory:

Soon after the celebrity’s death, several books dedicated to the life and work of Joplin were published. Particularly popular among them was Buried Alive: The Biography of Janis Joplin, written by Myra Friedman, who served as the singer’s press agent for three years. There was also a place for scandalous publications. Among these are the memoirs of Peggy Casserta captured on paper (co-authored by Lyle Stewart). The book provides details of Peggy and Janice’s intimate relationship.

The actress became the prototype for the heroine of the film “Rose,” which was released in the late 70s. Bette Midler played the main role of the Texas rock star . Later, already in the 2000s, articles appeared in the press about the preparation of two feature films dedicated to the biography of the performer. It was planned that in one of them Joplin would be represented by singer Pink , and in the other by Renee Zellweger . However, both films were never filmed.

In 2015, director Amy Berg presented the documentary “Janice: A Little Girl Is Sad,” which included footage of the celebrity’s performances, memories of the singer’s colleagues, as well as excerpts from the singer’s letters, which were read off-screen by singer Kat Power.

Discography:

• 1964 – The Typewriter Tape
• 1967 – Big Brother & the Holding Company
• 1968 – Cheap Thrills
• 1969 – I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!
• 1971 – Pearl
• 1972 – In Concert

Interesting Facts:

1. The singer didn’t have a Mercedes car, but when Janice started earning enough, she bought a Porsche convertible. One day, the artist’s manager, Dave Richards, painted the car in the then fashionable style of psychedelic art. Seeing this, Joplin was delighted and willingly posed for photos with the car. The rarity was later exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and then was sold at auction for $1.76 million.
2. As legend has it, the first and only meeting between the singer and the frontman of the Doors was a brilliant one. The press reports that Janice broke a bottle of Southern Comfort liquor over Jim’s head that day, after which Jim continued to talk about the vocalist as a fantastic woman the next day.