Janis Joplin (born 19 January 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas, United States, died 4 October 1970 in Los Angeles, California) was an American singer, songwriter, composer and painter. Originally the lead singer for the
blues rock band
Big Brother And The Holding Company, Joplin left the band in late 1968 for a solo career. She released two solo albums, "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!" (1969) and "Pearl" (1971), the latter released after her death. During her solo career, she was backed by the
Kozmic Blues Band and later, the
Full Tilt Boogie Band.