Janis Joplin was born January 19, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas. After her childhood in a middle-class family in southeastern Texas. She went to San Francisco in 1966 to become the vocalist for Big Brother and the Holding Company at the recommendation of hippie impresario Chet Helms. Buoyed by Joplin’s raucous, bluesy vocals, the hard-rocking band released an album on independent Mainstream Records, then stunned audiences at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 with a legendary performance highlighted by Joplin’s rendition of “Ball and Chain” (a rhythm-and-blues classic by Big Mama Thornton). Big Brother’s first album for major label Columbia, Cheap Thrills (1968), went to number one (the single “Piece of My Heart” reached number 12), Janis Joplin became a rock icon.  Leaving Big Brother, she formed the Kozmic Blues Band, reaching number five in 1969 with I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama! Joplin and the band performed at Woodstock but broke up shortly thereafter, and she became a regular heroin user. In 1970, engaged to be married, her life seemingly on track, Joplin was recording an album with her new group, the Full Tilt Boogie Band, when she died of an accidental overdose of heroin. Released posthumously, that album, Pearl, topped the chart in 1971, as did the single “Me and Bobby McGee.” Joplin’s importance in the history of rock is due to not only her strength as a singer but also her intensity as a performer. This item has been Forensically authenticated by Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators and comes with their Letter of Authenticity. Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators Guarantees their Opinion. A complete report of the forensic evaluation is available to any owner of the item current and future.

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