During a time where legends of rock were born, the infamous Janis Joplin is in a category of her own. The 1960s were an era of peace, love, sex, and drugs; Janis is often used as a symbol of the ’60s for that reason. However, Janis Joplin was much more than the sex friendly musician who overdosed from heroin at the age of 27.
In the spaces between shooting dope and playing music Joplin dealt with some of the same issues we do. Though drugs are a normal association with rock stars, Janis Joplin was an actual heroin addict. Addicts are not using the drug recreationally anymore, Janis was using the drug out of necessity. In general, addicts have much deeper issues they are attempting to solve with their drug of choice. Janis Joplin was no different.
Though the facts of Janis Joplin’s life are now well-known, some facts humanizing the late vocalist may still be surprising.
10 Unknown Things About Janis Joplin
- Her Last Recording Was A Birthday Recording For John Lennon
On October 1, 1970 Janis Joplin recorded Happy Trails for The Beatles legend, who said he received the recording after Joplin days after her passing. The Happy Trails lyrics creepily foretelling “until we meet again.”
2. Janis Was A Very Lonely Person
Though the singer had many lovers, she admitted she frequently felt alone. The singer once quoted as saying “on stage I make love to 25,000 people-than I go home alone.” This perhaps being a piece in her addiction puzzle.
3. You Could Have Seen Janis Joplin For $8 At Woodstock
This meager amount of money would have paid for an entire day pass. Reportedly Joplin was paid $7,500 for the gig.
4. Janis Joplin’s Only Number One Hit Was The Song “Me and Bobby McGee”
The song hit number one in 1971 after Joplin’s death
5. Janis Paid Tribute To Her Hero
Joplin said her biggest influence was blues singer Bessie Smith who died in 1937 following a car accident. Joplin added a headstone to the once unmarked burial ground for the late blues queen.
6. Broke A Bottle Over Jim Morrison’s Head
Janis Joplin knocked The Doors Lizard King out cold, who awoke in love with Joplin. Her fiery attitude and violent confrontation turned him on, so he asked for her number. Janis Joplin turned Morrison down repeatedly. Morrison was apparently heart-broken she would never go out with him.
7. Janis Joplin Owned A Hippie-Porsche
Though Joplin always claimed that the music was never about making money, she did own a Porsche that she turned into a full on hippie love machine.
8. The Name ‘Pearl’ Came From Her Best-Friends
After being called Pearl by her inner-circle for so long Janis Joplin decided to use the name as the title of what would be her final album, Pearl.
9. The Billie Holiday Biography Was Her Bible
Janis Joplin was never without her copy of Billie Holiday’s biography which she treated like her blues-bible.
10. Joplin’s Ashes Spread Over The Ocean
A private funeral where only her parents and aunt were in attendance. Followed by Janis Joplin’s ashes spread over the Pacific Ocean.
