Big Brother & the Holding Company
Janis Joplin - 'Ball and Chain' Live at Monterey Pop Festival
During the live recording of 'Ball and Chain' at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967, Big Brother & the Holding Company was riding a wave of rising fame, thanks in part to the success of their self-titled debut album, released just months earlier in 1967. This pivotal performance, showcasing Janis Joplin's raw, emotive vocals, solidified the band's reputation as a leading force in the psychedelic rock scene. Fun fact: Joplin's delivery of 'Ball and Chain' at this festival was so powerful that it left audiences spellbound, helping the group secure a spot in music history. The Monterey Pop Festival, often regarded as the very beginning of the 'Summer of Love,' marked a significant moment for the band, pushing them into the national spotlight and laying the groundwork for their subsequent popularity.