Janis Joplin - From a Conservative Background to a Counter Culture Icon

The female icon of 60s counter culture, came from the most conservative background. Texan by birth, she came from a hometown built around the oil industry which the locals called it “The smell of money”.

Born in 1943 in a family where her father work in a refinery, Joplin became one of the icons of the counter culture with a hit song after hit song.

It was in her teens when it became obvious that Joplin would not succumb to the narrow world of prom queens. By her junior year, she had died her hair orange, something that was unimaginable at the time. Even her sister noticed that Janis was changed, as the famous singer became more active in political world than before.

Janis started her singing career singing at bars, one of the first called “The Coffee Gallery”. It was there where she met one of her first boyfriends, called J.T. It was also the time when Janis became addicted to speed and other drugs. One of her friends recalls the period as it “damn near killed her”.

The documentary definitely brings sad emotions, and grief for one of the best singers of the 20th century. You will get a chance to see a high school interview which definitely brings tears to the eyes. Nevertheless, Joplin will be remembered as one of the greats, despite the fact that she lived only 27 years. Some might argue that she is in that mystery 27 club, but we leave those conspiracy theories for some other time.

From Around the Web

Related Videos