What you might not know about the American author
In her last will and testament, Joplin set aside US$1,500 for her friends to throw a massive funeral party. The Grateful Dead even performed at the ceremony!
She had a sweet psychedelic 1965 Porsche Cabriolet!
Another request in her will was that her ashes be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Marin County, near her beloved San Francisco.
Joplin was regarded by many, including her parents, as being a "wild child." She often acted outside the norm by dyeing her hair, hanging out in blues bars, and wearing outrageous clothing.
After leaving Big Brother and the Holding Company, Joplin went on to pursue a solo career with a backing band. She started with the Kozmic Blues Band, which didn't gain much traction, but later she switched to the Full Tilt Boogie Band, which was more popular among fans and critics.
In 1967, Joplin dated Joe McDonald from the band Country Joe and the Fish. They were reportedly happy together, and typically passed the time in their apartment blaring the stereo whenever one of their own songs would come on.
The final time Joplin was heard on tape was wishing John Lennon a happy birthday just days before her untimely death. She sang him the Dave Evans cowboy song 'Happy Trails.' He sadly received the message after her passing.
The same year of her death, the singer-songwriter paid a very special tribute to her personal hero, "The Empress of Blues." Bessie Smith's grave was left unmarked in Philadelphia, which deeply troubled the singer. In 1970, Joplin bought a tombstone for Smith that read: "The Greatest Blues Singer in the World Will Never Stop Singing."
Joplin's untimely death came within a year of the deaths of other rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison. They were all 27 years old, which started the phenomenon of the 27 club. They were later joined by other young stars like Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse.
Sources: (BuzzFeed) (Britannica)
In 1967, she performed two different sets at the Monterey Pop Festival because the first one wasn't taped!
She had a tattoo before they were cool. In fact, during the 1960s, body art was highly controversial. Joplin had a Florentine bracelet tattooed on her left wrist.
Believe it or not, the singer didn't actually top the charts until after her death. Joplin's one and only chart-topper was her song 'Me and Bobby McGee,' which hit no. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1971.
Despite the ridicule she received in her adolescence, Janis Joplin never stopped being the charismatic rebel many have come to love. In the words of the rock queen herself: "Don't compromise yourself. You're all you've got."
Joplin spent much of her life worrying about receiving her parents' approval. Though they supported her dreams and music, they struggled with her on-going drug abuse.
If you were alive in the '60s (or you have a time machine) then you could have seen Joplin perform at Woodstock for the price of US$8 (the price of a day ticket). For the entire event, the singer earned US$7,500.
Janis Joplin's last album before her death was entitled 'Pearl,' because that's what her closest friends used to call her.
Despite constantly being surrounded by fans, the singer struggled deeply with feelings of loneliness. She is quoted as saying: "On stage, I make love to 25,000 people - then I go home alone."
Joplin had a wedding planned in 1966, but backed out to join the psychedelic rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company.
For many rock fans, Janis Joplin is a world treasure. She is remembered as one of the most iconic female rock stars of all time. Her raw, bluesy voice and her uninhibited performances conveyed a soulful authenticity that still touches fans today. Many music lovers, past and present, relate to the struggles that sadly brought about her untimely death.
In honor of a legend who died at the premature age of 27, here are 27 facts about the queen of rock 'n' roll. Click through the gallery to learn more about the unforgettable Janis Joplin.
27 facts about Janis Joplin you need to know
She will always be remembered for her powerful vocals and mesmerizing stage presence
CELEBRITY Retrospective
For many rock fans, Janis Joplin is a world treasure. She is remembered as one of the most iconic female rock stars of all time. Her raw, bluesy voice and her uninhibited performances conveyed a soulful authenticity that still touches fans today. Many music lovers, past and present, relate to the struggles that sadly brought about her untimely death.
In honor of a legend who died at the premature age of 27, here are 27 facts about the queen of rock 'n' roll. Click through the gallery to learn more about the unforgettable Janis Joplin.