Janis Joplin
On January 19, 1943, the oil refinery seaport of Port Arthur, Texas won the heavenly birth of rock and roll's first female superstar. Janis Joplin, the first child that was born to the Joplin family in a city and not on a farm (Joplin 26). She was idolized by the public, but her life was bent on self-destruction behind all the glamour and curtains of fame and stardom. But there was more to Janis than just lyrics and good entertainment on stage. Janis was a bright, precocious child with a winning smile and a manner about her that charmed people (Joplin 28). She was a child who liked people and she got the same treatment in return. She showed great respect for older individuals and went out of her way to help others. Everyone seemed to love young Janis. Her sister Laura looked up to her very much. They shared a special bond that some young people today have never experienced. Even though there was a six year age difference, they always got along great. Janis displayed an independence that pleased her parents when it showed her creativity and originality. Mom was quick to follow up on an interest expressed by her children, especially if it was artistic in nature (Joplin 29,36). Her parents let her practice the piano and sing regula
In June of 1966, Janis hitchhiked back to San Francisco at the request of Chet Helms to become the "chick singer" for Big Brother and the Holding Company (Unterberger 2). She wanted her fame more than any marriage commitment (Amburn 83). "She had returned to the garden from which she had originally sprung, a twisted and poisoned flower, and the most she would achieve was a short-lived sobriety" (Amburn 60). The excitement of creating and being part of a vibrant artistic current was enhanced by the use of various drugs floating through the San Francisco beat scene, especially speed, and Janis hurried to its use. It wasn't the main focus of her life, she was just part of the scene (Dalvano 1). "Who am I?" (Joplin 48) she asked herself in her sophomore year. She became a serious college student but she still played a few gigs here and there. Janis was just as much of a woman as anyone, but she was more considered 'one of the guys'. Janis wrote to Jim Langdon in Austin and asked for his help in getting some bookings that were successful. Her sister Laura said that she used to write letter at least once a week, but when fame arose, the only things she knew about Janis was what she said on television appearances (Joplin 259). Several people guessed that she was using again, but this time, it was not too obvious (Joplin 307). Even though she was rising to success, Janis continued to have many problems to face within herself. She left without! notice and her family worried that she would be sucked back into the bad things that come along with the musical subculture. "She was surprised and then overwhelmed by a perceived inability to attain the social ideal" (Joplin 49). "Oh, Janis, you're a good old girl!" The guys often said (Joplin 60).
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Acceptance Essays
