Janis Joplin (January 19, 1943--October 4, 1970)

Port Arthur, Texas' most famous resident, Janis Joplin, died on October 4, 1970, but not before establishing the “blues mama image” for all white female singers to follow: hard-living, hard-loving, and of course, hard drinking--her love affair with Southern Comfort now legendary.  Coming into prominence in the late 60s as lead singer for the psychedelic rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company, Janis quickly left her band mates in the proverbial dust following the release of their second album, Cheap Thrills and their monumental appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival in June of ‘67, after which most of the world experienced the shock and awe that was Janis.  Read More . . .