Expert: Laura Brown - 8/8/2001

Question
hi
i was just wondering if you could tell me about Janis Joplin and what she's done, recently i started listening to her music a lot, and i can't find any information on her, so that would help a lot, thanks

Answer
I'd love to know more about what you'd like to know about Janis.  She was born in Port Arthur, TX in 1943... She was influenced by a lot of New Orleans, LA jazz and blues, especially Leadbelly and Odetta.  She had been planning to be an artist, but came out to San Francisco on the urging of her friend and a band manager, Chet Helms.  He wanted her to sing in a local San Francisco band, Big Brother and the Holding Company.  She did in fact join this group, and made a breakout performance in 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival, which had been put together by the Mamas and the Papas.  From there, Janis and Big Brother were signed to Columbia Records and really took off.  They were mostly popular as a live act; their record sold well but didn't create any top 10 hits...  Janis was signed on to be managed by Albert Grossman, who was incredibly famous (he managed Bob Dylan) but he preferred solo acts and encouraged Janis to go solo.  She left Big Brother and created the Kosmic Blues band (which has sometimes been known by different names, but that is the most commonly used one) .  It was very popular in Europe but not well received by the US because of its primary blues roots (it had an enormous horn section).  Janis then formed the Full Tilt Boogie band which recorded Kris Kristofferson's song, "Me  & Bobby McGee" with Janis.  Janis died before the album "Pearl" was ever finished.  She had been trying to kick heroin throughout 1970 but fell back into her habit because she was lonely while recording in Hollywood, CA.  The batch of heroin sold to her killed several other people during the week because it was of unusually high potency.  She died alone in her room at the Landmark hotel and was discovered by her friend and road manager, John Cook, after her friends had been unable to contact her.
She was 27 years old.  This is just a rough summary of her life; there's a lot more which I would be glad to tell you.
If you would like to know more about her, there are some great books written about her. I DO NOT suggest reading Myra Friedman's book "Buried Alive" or Laura Joplin's book, "Love, Janis".... Both of these accounts are highly secondhand and prejudicial.  The most honest book I've read seems to be "Going Down With Janis" by Peggy Caserta.  It paints a grittier picture but one I find to be better informed.  There is also "Pearl" by David Dalton which is excellent.
If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them!
Janis is a wonderful singer and artist and an icon and she led a very exciting life... I'm glad to know that you're interested to know more about her.
I would also be happy to recommend songs and albums

Thanks for your question,
Laura Brown