Stardom Beckons
In the tumultuous year of 1968, Big Brother and the vivacious Janis Joplin embarked on an electrifying East Coast Tour. On April 7th, just three days after the tragic assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., they joined an all-star lineup – the legendary Jimi Hendrix, blues master Buddy Guy, folk icon Joni Mitchell, soulful Richie Havens, harmonica virtuoso Paul Butterfield, and rock n’ roll guitarist Elvin Bishop – for a heartfelt concert in New York. A week later, they rocked the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, recording their album amidst the palpable energy.
On a fateful day, July 31st, 1968, Janis Joplin and her band catapulted to fame with their debut on national TV. Among her rumored lovers was the show’s host and even Leonard Cohen! Post their second album, the band was rechristened as Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company. Media attention caused tension, with whispers suggesting Janis should ditch her ‘terrible’ band. Her final performance with them was a benefit show in San Francisco on December 1st, 1968.