The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum


Janis Jolts and Holds ‘em in Cleveland

Tuesday, October 27: 4:14 p.m.
Posted by Rock Hall Education Department

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Were you there?  Do you remember when?  As we gear up for our 2009 American Music Masters celebration, Kozmic Blues: The Life and Music of Janis Joplin, a few friends and colleagues reminded us that the master herself graced different stages in Cleveland in 1968 and 1969, and her performances still resonate with attendees.  Jane Scott remembered that Janis exploded onstage at Public Hall in October of 1968.  Advertisements of Janis’ May gig at the same place were splashed across the pages of the Plain Dealer.  Pat Garling described her August 30, 1969 Blossom show as “musical magnificence.”  Whether you attended one of the Public Hall performances or the gigs at Blossom, what do you remember about them?  Did you “revel in psychedelic brainwash?”  Were you jolted and held?  What stayed with you?  Feel free to reminisce here, and share your unforgettable memories.

  • October 4, 1968:  Big Brother and the Holding Company at Public Hall
  • May 9, 1969:  Kozmic Blues at Public Hall
  • August 29, 1969: Janis Joplin at Blossom Music Festival, Cuyahoga Falls
Categories: Other, Event


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Comments (5)

I attended a concert on the campus of the University of PA in 1968. Big Brother and the Holding Company were the opening act for a local group (The Soul Survivors). Janis Joplin blew them away!!! She was dynamite! You knew she was going places.

Mary Ann Schenck | Sunday, January 24: 1:09 a.m.

What a great loss. Her little giggle at the end of Mercedes Benz was the real Janis. She was an icon to women singers, show stopper and most of all a Beautiful woman. Texas never treated her right either!!!She was greatest on stage with her Jack and whatever else was there.

Pinky | Sunday, January 24: 1:11 a.m.

I have a very good friend here, who not only sounds like Janis, she resembles her naturally. My friend has gone to California to screen test for the “in the works” Joplin story. The sound is awesome! Where ever she goes, she is asked to sing Janis. It is so cool.

Dawn Overway | Sunday, January 24: 1:12 a.m.

When was it? Yeah - 1968 - Fillmore East. During the day. There were about 20 people in the audience. Janis was drunk. She was out of it, singing to herself. It might have been a rehearsal? Another band there too, I think, Sly and the Family Stone? I might have superimposed two concerts. But Janis was distinct. She was unnervingly great. No pretense, no prettiness. Her voice was strong, even with those chugs of Jack Daniels straight from the bottle. And her hair in front of her eyes. Maybe she didn’t want to see the size of the audience. I think she was singing Take a Piece of my Heart…? Right from the guts. I did see her at another Fillmore concert where she was more perked, running around the stage, with the plasma background art. Hm. Raw energy, raw talent, loved it - real desperate rock n roll. And coming from a woman. She was a desperado. A woman’s desperado hero. Guts. Madness. Great music. Wow. All those memories….

Linda B. Jacobs | Sunday, January 24: 1:13 a.m.

My girlfriend and I saw Janis and Big Brother at the University of Buffalo in 1969 (or was it late 1968?). It was one of our first dates and we fueled up on “special brownies” beforehand. UB had a great series of concerts during the mid and late 60’s that culminated with a university-sponsored “Drug Symposium” in 1969 featuring Allen Ginsberg , Timothy Leary, and the MC5. At any rate, Janis was superb and my girlfriend became my wonderful wife in 1970 and after more than 40 years together we’re celebrating by going to the tribute concert this Saturday nite.

Larry Rakow | Sunday, January 24: 1:14 a.m.