Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was a highly influential singer and songwriter who left an indelible mark on American music. Janis was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on January 19, 1943. Her early childhood and adolescence was characterized by her expressive voice and creativity, which she expressed through painting and music. She frequently left her hometown as a teenager to perform with her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and eventually moved to San Francisco, where she began her career. Janis is remembered for her unique style of singing, a combination of folk, blues and soul. She penned some of the most iconic songs of the 1960s, including "Piece of My Heart," "Mercedes Benz" and "Me and Bobby McGee." Her vulnerability and emotionality combined with her powerful onstage persona earned her fans all around the world and made her one of the most beloved artists of her era. On October 4, 1970, Janis passed away at the age of twenty-seven from a drug overdose. She left behind a legacy that has experienced a recent resurgence in popularity, with the release of her album Pearl posthumously selling over four million copies. Janis is remembered as a singularly talented artist, a true original whose impact on music is still felt to this day.