Janis Joplin in History of Rock & Roll
Janis Joplin (1943–1970) had one of the most exciting—and most tragic—careers in rock. As the raspy-toned lead singer for Big Brother and the Holding Company, and later as a solo artist, Joplin delivered legendary rock classics like "Piece of My Heart," "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)," "Move Over," and "Summertime."
Janis Joplin debuted as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company in 1966 and by 1967, she'd launched her career as a rock and roll star, delivering phenomenal performances at major music festivals including the Monterey International Pop Festival.
Her career was cut short when in October of 1970 she was found dead in her room at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Hollywood. The coroner's report stated that the cause of death was a heroin overdose.