Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin - Psychedelic Singers, Birthday and Family

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Janis Joplin Biography Stories 

Janis Joplin's Personal Details

Janis Joplin was an American singer-songwriter, also known as the ‘First Lady of Rock n Roll’

InformationDetail
BirthdayJanuary 19, 1943
Died onOctober 4, 1970
NationalityAmerican
FamousBisexual, Died Young, University Of Texas, Singers, Jazz Singers, Psychedelic Singers
City/StateTexas
SiblingsLaura, Michael
Known asJanis Lyn Joplin
Universities
  • University Of Texas
  • Thomas Jefferson High School
  • Lamar State College of Technology
Notable Alumnis
  • University Of Texas
Cause of death
  • Drug Overdose
Birth PlacePort Arthur, Texas, United States
GenderFemale
FatherSeth Joplin (1910–1987)
MotherDorothy (née East) Joplin
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inPort Arthur, Texas, United States
Famous asSinger
Died at Age27

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Janis Joplin's photo

Who is Janis Joplin?

Janis Joplin was an American singer-songwriter, also known as the ‘First Lady of Rock n Roll’. She was known for her forceful, gutsy singing style as compared to her contemporaries. Whenever she used to perform on stage, she dazed and amazed the audience with her husky voice. She was bold and quite rebellious in nature in her early years which made her a subject of ridicule during her school years. Her life revolved around music as she developed a group of friends in her teenage years who shared her interest in music. She faced conflicts with herself as an individual as she struggled to be what she wanted to be, but it was not long before she sorted it out and went on to become the first ‘Rock n Roll’ lady of the era. This roller-coaster ride came to a sudden halt with her untimely demise due to drug overdose. She quoted once, “On stage, I make love to 25,000 different people, then I go home alone”, which confirms the fact that fame sometimes leads to loneliness. Her death at the young age of 27 is still considered one of the most tragic deaths of the era. A girl of distinct character who went on to become a woman of utmost passion created history with her attitude and unique style of singing.

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Childhood & Early Life

Janis was born on January 19, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to Seth Ward Joplin, an engineer and Dorothy Bonita East, a registrar at a business college. She had two siblings, Michael and Laura, both younger than her.

She was a normal teenager until the age of 14, when puberty kicked in and she became overweight and developed deep scars on her skin due to acne.

She was a wild child after that and used to wear men’s shirts and shorts to distinguish herself from the crowd. She faced a lot of teasing and disgraceful comments on her lifestyle.

She became friends with guys who shared her love for music and this flared her passion for singing.

She graduated from high school in 1960 but didn’t complete her studies in spite of going to several institutions for further education.

Career

In 1962, she began performing at musical gatherings and a local bar in Austin with Waller Creek Boys, an independent trio. She recorded her first ever song, “What Good Can Drinkin’ Do”, on tape at the home of a fellow student.

In 1963, she left for San Francisco to make a career in music industry. She recorded several tracks with Jorma Kaukonen but was unable to register her presence. On the contrary, with the use of alcohol and drugs she gained the reputation of a ‘speed freak’. Thus in order to stabilize herself, she came back to Texas in 1965.

Back in Texas, she adopted a healthy lifestyle in and got enrolled in anthropology major at a local university but the conventional life was not for her. Her first big break came in 1966, when she auditioned for psychedelic rockband Big Brother and the Holding Company.

The band signed several deals and she gave hits ‘Down on Me’, ‘Bye Bye Baby’, ’Call on Me’ as the lead vocal. ‘Cheap Thrills’, the band’s second album became an instant hit and topped the charts in US. Despite its success, she parted ways with the band in 1968 due to their lack of professionalism.

In 1969, her solo career started with the Kozmic Blues Band which received mixed reviews for her performance and negative criticism personally causing her much distress.

Her next album, ‘Pearls’, which was released in 1971 after her untimely death was her last and most successful one. Major Works

In 1968, the album ‘Cheap Thrills’ with the rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company topped the charts of US Top 200 featuring her as the lead vocal artist.

In 1971, her last album ‘Pearls’ with Full Tilt Boogie Band topped the charts of US Top 200 featuring her as the solo artist.

Her single ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ became an instant hit and reached the No.1 position in US Hot 100.

Awards & Achievements

She was posthumously inducted in ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1995.

She was honored with a ‘Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 2005, several years after her death.

Personal Life & Legacy

She was found dead on 4 October 1970 in a hotel room in Hollywood due to overdose of heroin, possibly compounded by alcohol.

Her personal life was very much the root cause of her sudden demise in 1970. She was facing enormous criticism for her personality and lifestyle which pushed her to a state of loneliness and isolation that eventually took her life.

Numerous books, movies and documentaries have been made on her life including ‘Love, Janis’ (1992) written by her sister, Laura Joplin.

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Janis Joplin biography timelines

  • // 19th Jan 1943
    Janis was born on January 19, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to Seth Ward Joplin, an engineer and Dorothy Bonita East, a registrar at a business college. She had two siblings, Michael and Laura, both younger than her.
  • // 1960
    She graduated from high school in 1960 but didn’t complete her studies in spite of going to several institutions for further education.
  • // 1962
    In 1962, she began performing at musical gatherings and a local bar in Austin with Waller Creek Boys, an independent trio. She recorded her first ever song, “What Good Can Drinkin’ Do”, on tape at the home of a fellow student.
  • // 1963
    In 1963, she left for San Francisco to make a career in music industry. She recorded several tracks with Jorma Kaukonen but was unable to register her presence. On the contrary, with the use of alcohol and drugs she gained the reputation of a ‘speed freak’. Thus in order to stabilize herself, she came back to Texas in 1965.
  • // 1966
    Back in Texas, she adopted a healthy lifestyle in and got enrolled in anthropology major at a local university but the conventional life was not for her. Her first big break came in 1966, when she auditioned for psychedelic rockband Big Brother and the Holding Company.
  • // 1968
    The band signed several deals and she gave hits ‘Down on Me’, ‘Bye Bye Baby’, ’Call on Me’ as the lead vocal. ‘Cheap Thrills’, the band’s second album became an instant hit and topped the charts in US. Despite its success, she parted ways with the band in 1968 due to their lack of professionalism.
  • // 1968
    In 1968, the album ‘Cheap Thrills’ with the rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company topped the charts of US Top 200 featuring her as the lead vocal artist.
  • // 1969
    In 1969, her solo career started with the Kozmic Blues Band which received mixed reviews for her performance and negative criticism personally causing her much distress.
  • // 4th Oct 1970
    She was found dead on 4 October 1970 in a hotel room in Hollywood due to overdose of heroin, possibly compounded by alcohol.
  • // 1971
    Her next album, ‘Pearls’, which was released in 1971 after her untimely death was her last and most successful one. Major Works
  • // 1971
    In 1971, her last album ‘Pearls’ with Full Tilt Boogie Band topped the charts of US Top 200 featuring her as the solo artist.

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Janis Joplin's FAQ

  • What is Janis Joplin birthday?

    Janis Joplin was born at 1943-01-19

  • When was Janis Joplin died?

    Janis Joplin was died at 1970-10-04

  • Where was Janis Joplin died?

    Janis Joplin was died in Hollywood, California, United States

  • Which age was Janis Joplin died?

    Janis Joplin was died at age 27

  • Where is Janis Joplin's birth place?

    Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas, United States

  • What is Janis Joplin nationalities?

    Janis Joplin's nationalities is American

  • Who is Janis Joplin siblings?

    Janis Joplin's siblings is Laura, Michael

  • What was Janis Joplin universities?

    Janis Joplin studied at University Of Texas, Thomas Jefferson High School, Lamar State College of Technology

  • What was Janis Joplin notable alumnis?

    Janis Joplin's notable alumnis is University Of Texas

  • What is Janis Joplin's cause of dead?

    Janis Joplin dead because of Drug Overdose

  • Who is Janis Joplin's father?

    Janis Joplin's father is Seth Joplin (1910–1987)

  • Who is Janis Joplin's mother?

    Janis Joplin's mother is Dorothy (née East) Joplin

  • What is Janis Joplin's sun sign?

    Janis Joplin is Capricorn

  • How famous is Janis Joplin?

    Janis Joplin is famouse as Singer