Janis Joplin Jimi Hendrix The Monterey Pop Festival

Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix & The Monterey Pop Festival

JANIS JOPLIN (1948– 1971) ➤ Born on January 19, 1948 in Port Arthur, Texas, a town of oil refineries, chemical plants, casinos and brothels. ➤ an outcast who wore suggestive clothing, befriended african americans, and had a loose reputation. ➤ In 1966 began singing with Big Brother and the Holding Company, a loose, experimental band that was part of the San Francisco scene ➤ She would record two LPs with Big Brother and one with the Kozmic Blues Band ➤ Along with the Grateful Dead, Country Joe & the Fish and Jefferson Airplane, they played the Fillmore Auditorium, Winterland Avalon Ballroom and toured the West Coast

JOPLIN’S STYLE & SHORT CAREER ➤ Graduated from folk singing to a full-tilt singing style influenced by Bessie Smith and Big Mama Thornton ➤ Incorporated rough, rasping tones and “multiphonics” ➤ Became 1960 s the most successful white blues singer of the ➤ Succumbing to an overdose of heroin combined with alcohol, she died in the midst of recording her last LP Pearl with the Full Tilt Boogie Band ➤ Pearl subsequently spent 9 weeks at #1 on the 1971 Billboard album list ➤ Hit #1 single “Me and Bobby Mc. Gee” by Kristofferson and Fred Foster

JIMI HENDRIX (1942 -1970) ➤ One of most original, influential guitarists in rock ➤ Born Johnny Allen Hendricks in Seattle, WA. ➤ Enlisted in the Army 101 st Airborne Division (1961 -1964). ➤ Toured with Little Richard. Also played with the Isley Bros. , Curtis Knight and the Squires, and King Curtis. ➤ Formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience with Mitchell (drums) and Noel Redding (bass) in England in 1966. ➤ In ’ 67 “Hey Joe” and “Purple Haze” reached the top of the UK charts, although he is known more for his 1967– 68 albums Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland ➤ Left the Experience for Band of Gypsys in 1970, Built his own studio Electric Lady in NYC, which opened shortly before he died on September 18, 1970

JIMI HENDRIX’S STYLE • Influenced strongly by the blues. • Expanded palate of rock guitar sounds • Known for use of feedback and other pedal effects Hendrix at Woodstock, 1969. – Feedback: Distorted squeal produced when sound coming through amplifier taken in by microphone or pickup through guitar, then fed back through amp – Pedals • Electronic circuits through which sound from pickup routed • Alters sound that emerges from amp

“PURPLE HAZE, ” JIMI HENDRIX, 1967 (ON Listen for the EXPERIENCED? introduction which returns after)the instrumental bridge, a ARE YOU feature that becomes more and more common in rock

ONTEREY POP JUNE 15 -17, 1967 Known as the “Summer of Love” First big rock festival, 50, 000 people, filmed Artist-run, non-profit (John Phillips & Lou Adler) Considered an unequivocal success, paving way for Woodstock Iintroduced Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, The Who and Himi Hendrix to an American audience Joplin’s version of Willie Mae Thornton’s “Ball and Chain” brought down the house, as did Hendrix setting his guitar on fire and the end of his set

WOODSTOCK MUSIC AND ARTS FAIR AUGUST 15 -17, 1969 – Defining event of “hippie generation” – Max Yasgur’s farm, near Bethel, NY – Billed as 3 days of peace, music and love; lasted 4 – Planned for 50, 000, got 500, 000, became free – All kinds of mishaps, from weather, lack of toilets, food, and security to closed roads, but no violence – Documentary film of the event won Oscar in 1970 – Many urban-folk and folk-rock groups (Vietnam protest) • Country Joe Mc. Donald, I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag • Jimi Hendrix (top-billed), The Star-Spangled Banner

ALTAMONT FESTIVAL • Altamont Speedway, outside of San Francisco, CA, December 6, 1969 • Free concert, culmination of The Rolling Stones’ 1969 U. S. tour – Santana, Grateful Dead, CSN&Y, Jefferson Airplane, Flying Burrito Bros. as well. • Documentary film, Gimme Shelter • One of the most violent days in Rock history: – Total of 4 deaths, including one beating