40 Amazing Photos of Janis Joplin Performing With Big Brother & the Holding Company

Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company were a defining act of the late 1960s psychedelic rock movement. The band formed in San Francisco in 1965 and became known for their raw, experimental sound. When Joplin joined in 1966, her blues-infused, emotionally charged vocals elevated them to new heights.

Their big break came at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, where Joplin’s electrifying performance of “Ball and Chain” left audiences in awe. This moment introduced her as a major rock star.

Despite their success, Joplin left the band in late 1968 to form the Kozmic Blues Band and later Full Tilt Boogie. Her solo career was short-lived but legendary, culminating in the iconic album Pearl before her untimely death in 1970.