PhotoSynthesis: Janis Joplin

Bethel, N.Y., 1969: Everything I saw her sing, it was nothing held back. This was at Woodstock, and being the official photographer, I had an all-access pass, and I was allowed to be up onstage as all this went on. In fact, there was a little catwalk built just under the lip of the stage, which was put there for the film crew, and I got myself on that little catwalk by virtue of the fact that I had this special pass. And all throughout the concert, the film crew kept trying to kick me off. I was literally feet in front of her while she was singing -- the absolutely best seat in the entire house of 400,000 people.

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Posted by Henry Diltz on Nov 14th 2007 5:00PM
Filed under: PhotoSynthesis

Reader Comments(1 of 1)

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sheilaat 11-16-2007

janice still rocks. so young and troubled. she could sing the blues like no one else before or after.we are saddened by the loss.

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sheilaat 11-16-2007

i think janice still rocks. she had the voice and the heart of the blues. so young and troubled. we are saddened to lose her to early

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Jackieat 11-16-2007

Did you know that Janis bought the headstone for Bessie Smith? The day it was put on Bessie's grave was the day Janis died.

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Willowat 11-16-2007

I hope they do a movie a Janis Joplin. I heard that the movie "The Rose" was loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin. However, it wasn't really Janice Joplin on the stage in that movie with Bette Middler. Who do I think should play the part? Pink! Yeah, the singer Pink. I know her first name is Alisha, but I forget her last name.

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vali44at 11-17-2007

Janis never died; and never faded...

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cyndyat 11-17-2007

we still have a great, living rocker! johnette napolitano from concrete blonde!! still going strong!!

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Rick Higginsonat 11-18-2007

In addition to her music, pictures such as this show explicitly how and why Janis was so important & distiguished herself from many others - perhaps continuing even today. Her recordings give an excellent indication of her talent, but what her "nice" pics don't show, that this does - is how she was a true artist and gave 100% of what she could do - maybe more than she herself thought she could do - consistently on stage. A valuable picture - perhaps not "pretty" but very intense & dedicated. People who think that they are talented but only want to try hard once in awhile should see this.

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Wayne Whittingtonat 3-05-2008

I am old enough to have enjoyed the 60's and went to a lot of concerts. The first time I heard Janis was in 1967. I knew then there would never be anyone like her or close to her.

There can never be another white woman that will be able to sing blues like her. Some have come close but never was able to reach down and bring it out like she would

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kayat 3-08-2008

I have always loved janis so much,i grew up in the 60's and i listen to her everyday..when we all lost janis,we lost one of the greatest soul singer that never lived.....there will never be another one like her ever.................she died way before her time,she is missed by all so much...i am still sad over her death..and will never get over it as long as i live...miss you so Janis....... kay

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Bruhat 3-23-2008

Everyone has some artist they really like/admire,
and everyone is entitled. I personally felt Janis
was very overrated, and not much of a singer, but a
personality, who hit the scene at the right time
and place when the "scene" was looking for someone
like her. Same way with Amy Winehouse, today. Just
overrated, overhyped, but such a media darling, to
my utter bewilderment. Neither Janis, nor Amy, were
they just regular unknowns, would even make it past
the early rounds of American Idol, today...not that
I'm a fan of that show, since I can't stomach Simon,
and his smugness. These are just my opinions, though,
and they carry no more/less weight than anyone elses.