Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin was one of the most important US singers of the 1960s and 70s. She sold more than 15 million albums worldwide and was admired for her stage presence and impressive voice. Janis Joplin died of heroin poisoning in 1971.

Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas in 1943. She was the oldest of six children and grew up in difficult financial circumstances. After the death of her father, the family fell on hard times. Janis Joplin herself also suffered from depression and anxiety. In school, she broke off her studies several times and worked instead at various companies as a secretary or telephone operator. In 1966, she met the musician Big Mike (Michael Peter Balzary), with whom she lived from then on.

At the end of the 1960s, Janis Joplin performed with various bands and recorded her first solo albums. Her debut album "Big Brother and the Holding Company" was released in 1968 and became a great success. The LP included the song "Piece of My Heart", which became one of her most famous works. Janis Joplin toured a lot during this time to promote the new CD - including in May 1970 in Cologne, where she gave a legendary concert.

The last album of Janis Joplin was released posthumously in 1972 under the title "Pearl". It contains the singer's most famous songs, including "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Mercedes Benz." To this day, it is the best-selling album of Janis Joplin ever.