In memoriam by Claudia Sonea

The late ‘60s were successful for most singers with burning desire to conquer fame and with something to state to the troubled generation. However few resisted in charts and even fewer managed to leave a memorable impression upon people, a legacy that would last in time. As one of the fewer, Janis Joplin managed to conquer hearts, to state her experience, although that she departed too early, at the age of only 27 years. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Joplin #46 on their list of the 50 Greatest Artists of All Time. She began singing in the local choir and listening to musicians such as Leadbelly, Bessie Smith, Odetta, and Big Mama Thornton. The campus newspaper of University of Texas where she attended courses ran a profile of her in 1962 headlined "She Dares To Be Different". She left Texas for San Francisco seeking affirmation. The fame came starting 1967 when she released an album called "Summer of Love" with the band Big Brother and the Holding Company. At the Monterey International Pop Festival she performed her version of blues singer Big Mama Thornton's "Ball and Chain" and received standing ovations. Unfortunately her drug and alcohol abuse led to the lost of an amazing singer, songwriter and person. Although her performance was not included in the documentary film Woodstock, nor on the album released shortly after, she will remain in people's memory and people still go to her house in cheering her name. On Saturday she would have celebrated her 65th birthday, if she wouldn't have died due to a drug overdose on Oct. 4, 1970. She liked singing and the thrill that the stage offered her and she always tried to take contact with the audience and asked them: "how you doin' ". Her short life is an example and most people will remember her. At the gathering that commemorated her in front of one of her houses Monteel Copple, a childhood friend, says he will never forget her laugh and we won't forget her either. Now she's singing with the angels, may God have mercy on her soul! Farewell, Janis…

related story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080120/ap_en_mu/people_janis_joplin_home;_ylt=ArJbRyr8yRtQe6uJUg.IjUKs0NUE

by Claudia Sonea for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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