The Female Voice of Rock and Roll
Janis Joplin was a unique presence in the music world in the 1960’s. Mostly because she was a female voice in a world dominated by male figures. Born on January 19, 1943, Joplin became the most successful female rock star of her time even though she had a very short career. She rose to fame in 1967 as the lead singer of the rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company, before embarking on a solo career.
Photo of Janis Joplin (Photo by Paul Ryan/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Joplin was a mezzo-soprano and was highly respected by critics and public alike. Her most famous songs include “Me and Bobby McGee, ” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, as well as “Cry Baby,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Ball and Chain” and “Mercedes Benz.” Her exciting career ended abruptly when she died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27. Joplin had only released three albums, and a fourth one, “Pearl” was released posthumously. The Rolling Stone magazine included her on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time at number 46, and she is still one of the top-selling musicians in the United States.