Janis Joplin

On May 18, 1968, Janis Joplin and her band Big Brother and the Holding Company captivated audiences at the Northern California Folk Rock Festival in San Jose. This performance came shortly after the release of their groundbreaking album 'Cheap Thrills,' which had dropped in August 1968 and featured hits like 'Piece of My Heart.' Joplin’s raw energy and soul-stirring vocals were a testament to the rising tide of her career, where she was quickly gaining recognition as one of the leading voices of the counterculture movement. Interestingly, it was at this festival that a national audience started to truly appreciate her powerful stage presence, paving the way for her subsequent solo success. Joplin's unique blend of rock, blues, and folk was instrumental in shaping the music of her time, and this live recording captures the essence of that transformative period.

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