Born on this Day: The iconic Janis Joplin (#Bi2).
In the early hours, between midnight and dawn, on Sunday, August 17, 1969, Janis Joplin took to the stage, marking a historic moment during the three-day Woodstock Music and Art Fair in Bethel, New York. Draped in her signature long-sleeved tie-dyed outfit, this performance held special significance as it was Joplin's first major solo act after parting ways with her band, Big Brother & The Holding Company, a year earlier following the release of their album "Cheap Thrills".
Facing an unexpectedly massive crowd, Joplin fearlessly entertained with a mix of new songs, covers, and beloved Big Brother favorites. While initially criticized for departing from her iconic performances with Big Brother (notably at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival), Joplin's Woodstock show secured her place in rock history.
Joplin asked the audience in the dark, "How are you guys out there? You're staying stoned and you got enough water and you got a place to sleep and everything? Because all of us — and I don't mean to be preachy — but we oughta remember, and that means promoters too, that music's for grooving, man, and music's not for putting yourself through bad changes. You don't have to take anybody's shit, man, just to enjoy music."
Joplin kicked off her performance with a spirited rendition of Eddie Floyd's "Raise Your Hand," backed by the Kozmic Blues Band. This lineup included guitarist John Till, keyboardist Richard Kermode, bassist Brad Campbell, drummer Maury Baker, along with Terry Clements on tenor saxophone, Luis Gasca on trumpet, and Cornelius "Snooky" Flowers on baritone saxophone.
The band introduced their first new track, "As Good As You've Been To This World", from Joplin's upcoming 1969 debut album "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!" Transitioning to a mellower groove, Joplin delivered a soulful rendition of the Bee Gees' hit "To Love Somebody", also featured on her "new" album, followed by a sultry interpretation of George and Ira Gershwin's classic standard "Summertime", previously covered on "Cheap Thrills".
Joplin poured her heart into the 11-song set, pushing her vocal limits. She regained the energy with two more new songs, "Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)" and the heartfelt ballad "Kozmic Blues".
Tenor saxophonist Snooky Flowers joined in for a spirited rendition of Otis Redding's 1965 hit "Can't Turn You Loose" before the set's grand finale, "Work Me, Lord", a Nick Gravenites composition that Joplin belted out until her voice could carry no more.
Encouraged by the roaring audience, Joplin returned to the stage, concluding her Woodstock performance with two tracks from "Cheap Thrills." These songs were her iconic hit "Piece Of My Heart" and a fervent cover of Big Mama Thornton's "Ball And Chain", delivering every ounce of herself to the enthralled crowd.
☮️: https://bi.org/en/famous/janis-joplin
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