Janis Joplin is a name that anyone who has even the slightest interest in music or culture should know. Not only was she a wild 60's hippie who sang psychedelic rock and folk songs, she has been considered by many the woman who truly open the doors to a new revolution for women. Beginning in her teen years, Janis began her interest in singing through a local choir belting out the blues. The African American Blues sealed the deal in Joplin's choice to make a living singing, with one of her early remakes of Big Mamma Thornton's "Ball and Chain" leaving listeners in awe. Sadly, due to Janis's drug and alcohol addiction, she died at the height of her success.
The song that most people think of when they think of Janis is "Me and Bobby McGee" she recorded this track for her album "Pearl" just a few days before her death in 1970. Released after her death, the song, which has been recorded by many other artists, became a Janis Joplin signature tune. No one who hears it can deny the throaty sultriness of Janis' voice and the fact that the song seems to have been written just for her to sing.
The songwriter Kris Kristofferson was a lover of Janis' and had sung the song for her a few years before. He had no idea until after she had passed that she had covered the song. Janis' version of "Me and Bobby McGee" was her only number one single and the 2nd posthumous release to make it to the top of the charts. Kris declares that he didn't write the song about Joplin as it was originally intended that Bobby was a girl, but that the song is definitely associated with her.
Since Janis' death, many enterprising young singers have tried to harness the amazing Joplin spirit when performing the song "Me and Bobby McGee". Many have tried, many have failed, and a few have come close; Melissa Etheridge does a wonderful job with this song. Another up and coming young singer has been compared to Janis Joplin in the past few years; Joss Stone, can belt out the lyrics, and make you feel her pain just as Janis could. Nevertheless, there is and will never be another Janis Joplin, no matter how hard others' in the music industry try to capture the magic that Janis had. She was an artist, a singer, music arranger, a storyteller, a drug user, an alcoholic, a lover, a friend, a woman, and she was amazing.
Janis and "Ball and Chain"
Janis and "Me and Bobby McGee"
Picture credited to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Great topic! Janis Joplin was the shitz! I never knew her and Kris had a thing though.. Interesting! Too bad she couldn't keep it clean. I can only imagine what other hits she would have had!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Janis could belt it out there, but who wasn't she with as far as relationship wise.
ReplyDeleteThe sixties were the best. It was a tragic loss of a very talented lady. While her personal life may not have lived up to the publics expectations her music certainly did.
ReplyDeleteJanis was something else. I loved watching the 2 performances. The hair and clothes really takes me back. It was way cool.
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