(January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970)
was an
American singer
and songwriter.
One of the most
iconic and successful
rock performers
of her era,
she was noted for her
powerful
mezzo-soprano
vocals
and her
"electric"
stage presence.
In 1967, Joplin rose to
prominence following
an appearance at
the Monterey Pop Festival,
where she was
the lead singer
of the then
little-known
San Francisco
psychedelic rock band
Big Brother
and
the Holding Company.
After releasing
two albums
with the band,
she left Big Brother
to continue as a
solo artist
with her
own backing groups,
first the
Kozmic Blues Band
and then the
Full Tilt Boogie Band.
She performed at
the 1969 Woodstock Festival
and on the
Festival Express train tour.
Five singles
by Joplin
reached the US
Billboard Hot 100,
including a cover of
the Kris Kristofferson song
"Me and Bobby McGee",
which posthumously
reached number one
in March 1971.
Her most popular songs
include her
cover versions of
"Piece of My Heart",
"Cry Baby",
"Down on Me",
"Ball and Chain",
and
"Summertime",
as well as her
original song
"Mercedes Benz",
which was her
final recording.
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