THE BEATLES 1969 PEOPLE 83
JANIS JOPLIN
Two years after captivating the crowd at the Monterey Pop
Festival, Texas-born blues belter Joplin was a festival vet. With
a new group, the Kozmic Blues Band, she lit into a 10-song set
that included her hits “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)”
and “Piece of My Heart.” Not going on until 2 a.m. ensured that
she was not at her most powerful. Still, said the Who’s Pete
Townshend of Joplin (who died 14 months later at age 27),
“even Janis on an off-night was incredible.”
‘HOW ARE YOU OUT THERE?
YOU OKAY? STAYING STONED AND
GOT ENOUGH WATER AND A PLACE TO
SLEEP AND EVERYTHING? I DON’T
MEAN TO BE PREACHY, BUT WE OUGHT
TO REMEMBER—AND THAT
MEANS PROMOTERS TOO—MUSIC
IS FOR GROOVIN’, MAN’
—JANIS JOPLIN, FROM THE WOODSTOCK
STAGE, TO FANS
