Many biographies about the life and music of the late blues-rock singer Janis Joplin have been published over the years.
The most recent (published in October) by author and journalist Holly George-Warren, stands on the shoulders of the previous ones.
Of course, those who know about Joplin’s powerfully brilliant career and short, troubled life will know how this book ends.
The real revelations about her life, however, reside in the journey, not the destination.
Thoroughly researched using interviews with those who were closest to the singer plus newly found archival information, Janis: Her Life and Music is a well-rounded biography featuring more details about her early life and upbringing in the small Texas town of Port Arthur.
One interesting detail: Joplin volunteered for her local public library as a middle school student, painting posters for the children’s department.
Her relationship with her parents, friends and, later, fellow musicians are examined in vivid detail, as is her perception of those relationships and the radical ups and downs of her “blues singer’s life.”
If you like biographies of musicians, check out this fascinating title from your local library.
