The Mamas and the Papas were, at the time, like royalty within that scene. Mama Cass watching Janis is like the equivalent of Clapton watching Hendrix for the first time and realising that the bar had just been raised.
To us, I'm 56, these artist are the standard. It's why we judge modern music so hard. No pre-sets, auto-tune, or background recordings. Just raw talent. ❤❤❤
for sure. This was a woman with great talent and that's it. Today everything is fake. The music, I mean... you can't say that Taylor Swiftand the likes of her can compare to these performers. Movies are remakes of remakes. Women in "showbusiness" when they reach 30, they start with fillers and botox and whatever. They do look like the wax works. And I am not saying that in the past everything was good and nowadays everything is bad. But the difference is enormous.
A little backstory to what you saw. The Monterey Pop Festival took place in 1967 at the Monterey Fairgrounds, organized by the quartet pop group The Mamas and The Papas and a couple music producers. The festival was a pre Woodstock type of show of two or three days of acts from around the world in rock, blues and pop music but much much smaller. The woman you saw in amazement is Mama Cass Elliot from the Mamas and The Papas and sitting next to her is a very young Colombia Records producer by the name Clive Davis. Janis Joplin was making the rounds in the rich San Francisco music scene of the 60's and had recorded jam sessions with other local artist who themselves would later become household names. Janis and her band The Holding Company earned a spot in the show by recommendation of legendary SF rock promoter Bill Graham who brought many SF bands for the festival. Outside of the Bay Area Janis was not known, that is until after this performance which immediately Clive signed her to her first record contract with Colombia... the rest is history.
The woman in awe is Mama Cass Elliott from the group the Mamas and the Papas. She was a great fan of Janis. Check out their songs MONDAY, MONDAY, CALIFORNIA DREAMING, and DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE. Enjoy
Janis changed everything. Saw her on the street in SF in 69. Then again later in her psychedelic painted Porsche as a passenger on Eddy Street near O'Farrell. Admired her hanging out with the Hells Angels and hard drinking Southern Comfort. She broke the mold for female singers. Saw Big Brother and the holding Company twice with Janis. Never be another Janis.
I came close when she was alone on the street right before her band showed up. She was kinda dressed like her photo on the Pearl album. Funny but I can visualize that still but I remember she had a white fur style head piece on. @@robertyanes4751
A most brilliant cover of Big Mama Thorton's song. She didn't even have her version out yet when Janis Joplin performed this and she absolutely CRUSHED it here. Also, my favorite part is when the camera is panning to Mama Cass, who is transfixed and in awe of what she is hearing. Also, Mama Cass is no slouch as a vocalist herself. RIP to the both of them.
She was unaware that it was 50% pure heroin instead of the regular 3 percent, it stopped her heart.. Seven other people died that weekend from the same batch.
she died long before I was even born, but my great grandpa introduced me to this and many other great music artists and bands from that period of time. I'm grateful he did this and I miss him much.
What I love about artists like Janis Joplin is, how "real" they have been, great singers, but not afraid to really let go anf do whatever comes to mind in that moment. There are great singers out there today too, probably even better ones from a pure technical point of view. But it feels like it's all about perfection. Even parts that should come across emotionally and improvised seems to be just "pre-planned" more often than not.
As was said, the woman in the crowd is Mama Cass. If you want to see her and her group, the Mamas and the Papas, please check out their performance of "California Dreamin'" 🍁🍂 Love your reactions! 🖤
It seems the greatest of my generation were meant to only be with us for a way too short of time. Janis, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix graced us with their Earth shattering talent then joined the Cosmos before they turned 30. As we look back, we wonder what would be had they chose differently on the day they passed and survived to this day. But that is a fool's errand. We were not meant to have them for so long. Could be we didn't deserve them. I loved your reaction to Miss Janis and was thrilled to see your introduction to the First Lady of 60's rock. Her songs will pull at your heart strings and weigh down your soul but you will emerge a better person for knowing her music. Thank you for this wonderful reaction. Blessings
Thanks for choose the greatest of all times.Cry baby , Summertime blues , Peace of my heart , Try , Bobby Magee , those are some Joplin jewels you have to check . Janis the Queen of Blues. No body else can sing like Janis. Such poserfull energy , her pure soul , únic voice . Enjoy all Joplin as you can . Love your reaction❤. Keep on rocking .
If you really want to hear some mind-blowing vocals by her, check out her hit that was a cover of the George Gershwin song Summertime. Make sure to do the studio version because the microphone catches her doing some astonishing things with her voice, especially at the very end where she has this incredibly resonant descant part going on, and they both track together as she glides down to the final held note. It turns out to be an overtone of her voice that is very dominant and almost acts like a descant harmony part. And it's a beautiful incredible song.
There are many amazing versions of Summertime...Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke...but Janis made it her own in a way that an artist can only dream of. Truly transcendent.
You can see "Mama Cass Elliott (A great singer in her own right) looking at Janis with such respect and awe. Janis was a force of nature. Nobody has ever come close to her. Her, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison, were world superstars of Rock/Blues in the late 60s, and all three died at the top of their stardom at age 27. All died of drug/alcohol overdoses within a year of each other. They are the exclusive members of the infamous "27 club." as it has become known in Rock history.
I suggest Janis' version of "Me and Bobby McGee" , "Mercedes Benz" , and "Piece of my Heart". Other artists/band would be Grateful Dead, CSN&Y, Ram Jam - Black Betty, Mountain - Mississippi Queen, there are so many others. Love your reactions.
Janis Joplin makes me feel every syllable of the lyric. Her emotional approach to singing and her willingness to bare her soul on stage made her a legend in the music business. Your wonderful reaction is proof that she's still connecting to her audience decades later. RIP, Janis! For something a little different from her, you might try Piece Of My Heart.
Janis laid it out in every performance. Her whole heart and soul was in every note. She was one of a kind. She walked out on that stage as an unknown and left as a star.
There’s a picture floating around on the internet of Janis taken just a minute or so before she walked out onto the stage. Literally the instant music changed forever. Her life could be considered a tragedy, but she was extraordinary. And that’s Cass Elliot in the audience. Another brilliant singer who was taken too soon.
Janis was a force of nature. She lived like she performed, full speed ahead. She's a good example of a voice that's in no way technical but excellent in its own natural way. She was taken from us far too soon, the same year as Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison, all victims of addiction. Great reaction!
Janis, a Texas girl, was pure emotion as a performer. You felt her with equal parts polish and grit. Her work with Big Brother And The Holding Company was mesmerizing.
First off... Love you and your reactions !! as a side note. Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company (relative "Unknowns" from San Francisco) played the first day of Monterey. The cinematographer, D.A. Pennebacker, was late to arrive and the first day was not recorded on film, so the promoters (this year the promoters were John and Michelle Phillips. "half" of the very popular group, "The Mama's and the Papa's". That's why "Mama" Cass Elliot was featured in the recording) invited Janis back on the last day to perform "Ball & Chain" again, to be filmed. They also informed a bunch of "record labels", that this sensational women was going to perform again on the last day, so about 8 record companies offered her a contract, and she signed with Clive Davis from Colombia Records. The rest, as they say... "Is history" !!
Beginning off with that bass bit was such a *groovy* way to start the song like?? Plus, her voice is definitely one of the most unique voices I've ever heard from a singer 😭The way she can carry her emotions throughout this song is something that should be appreciated. I feel like I would hear this kind of music inside a speak easy. The way the bass goes with her voice towards the end of song where it's like a nice lull of the two with drums poking in here and there and that BBBBaby was NICE. Can't wait for you to get into more classic stuff like since it's almost my first time listening too ♥
Hi Aileen. What a great intro to the incredible Janis Joplin. To experience another side of this woman of power, you'd probably enjoy, "Me and Bobby McGee" Thank you for this, and stay well & keep smiling 😁🤩😎🌹😇
Janis took her broken heart out on the stage, and showed it to everybody. You are getting into some music now. Her and Beth Hart are my two favorite female voices. I suggest maybe Beth and Joe Bonamassa I'd rather go blind,or I'll leave the light on. Both of these ladies are rabbit holes you may never come out of.
Piece of my Heart is one of her most famous songs. She went solo and was a huge success but she died very young. BTW I really enjoyed seeing your reaction Aileen, not everyone gets Janis right away. She sings the blues like no one else.
By far the best recorded version of this song by JJ. Just perfection. This was her introduction to a national audience at the 1967b Monterey Pop Festival. And your reaction embodies what I think all of us felt when we first saw this performance. You're really good at this!
6:11 you said "she's in awe" that is Mama Cass from the band The Mama's and Papa's they were huge back then, she came to see how it was done watching Joplin...
Yes, Mama Cass was in awe, as everyone e!swim attendance was for most of that event at Monterrey. Mama Cass has quite the pipes, too, the Mamas + Papas, like Janis, are dope! For more Janis, do A Piece of My Heart, for the Mamas + Papas, do California Dreaming. The music of that era is so authentic, either you had talent or there was nothing to hide behind. Those ladies are legends! Enjoy. 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
So Raw and Emotional! Janis put it ALL out there every time...!! What a force of Nature!!! What an amazing voice and presence...a life and career cut way too soon, at the age of 27. The "Woman in Awe" is Cass Elliott of THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS (an amazing singer/songwriter in her own right) You Need to hear **PIECE OF MY HEART** ... for beginners!! So Excited for You Aileen! Cheers!!!
The lady who was blown away by Janice performance was Cass Elliot. Cass herself was one of the greatest female vocalist of that era and this was the first time Cass had seen Janice perform. The point being that impressing Cass Elliot was no mean feat as she was right up their with Janice as a vocal talent.
I used to see Janis and all the psychedelic bands just as they were getting known across the rest of the nation. "Down On Me" was their first single but when you'd go to a concert, the whole crowd would demand "Ball and Chain". This performance was her best ever! The others were good but in this one she hit every note perfectly and she knew it! On their album, it misses the magic. I loved your reaction to this. I check out all the reaction people on certain songs and your response to this was the best. Like Janis, you didn't hold anything back and I'd bet you don't either when you perform. That's what it is all about, you sharing with the audience what you feel and think. Just before Monterey Pop, I met David Crosby and Graham Nash and later met Michelle Phillips of the Mama"s and Papa's at another concert. Michelle's husband, John, put Monterey Pop together and the woman with her mouth open was Mama Cass, the other female singer of the group. Their songs were more tightly controlled but still excellent. I missed going to that concert, some time, check it out. It introduced America to Jimi Hendricks, The Who, Janis, Jefferson Airplane and Otis Redding and others. All were known regionally and among other performers but not nationwide. Never has there been an explosion of music both in California, New York and England as the '60's and '70's.
Janis was a musical comet that blazed a path across our sky before burning out & those of us who witnessed it realize just how fortunate we were..R.I.P. Janis🙏❤
This performance is at the Monterey Pop Festival,, which would be the start of it all for Janis & Jimi Hendrix,, they started together & finished together,, both passing away within only a month of each other..R.I.P. Janis & Jimi 🙏❤
The awestruck lady in the crowd was Cass Elliot from "The Mamas and the Papas". She was one of the producers of this festival. At that time, she was arguably THE preeminent female vocalist. She sat in the crowd, awestruck, and watched her crown passing to Janis before her very eyes. All she could say was "WOW!".
My two cents worth, since you took notice of Mama Cass in the audience you may want to check her out if you appreciate female vocalists. “Dedicated To The One I Love” is a great song that features Mama’s voice and of course their biggest hit was “California Dreaming” but it features the group’s harmony and not so much Mama. By the way , love your reactions , and just have to say you are the most beautiful lady on RU-vid.
This made made her a star, she was relatively unknown till Monterey Pop. Janis sang wit pure emotions, after over 50 years, she still gives me goosebumps
Janice did blow the top off the Monterey Pop fest that day and Columbia records was waiting for her at the stairs of the stage to make a record deal with her..
Nothing like a bit of Janis playing over the stereo on the front porch after a hard day. 🤘🏻🔥 So good. BTW….Eye makeup looked bangin today! Rock on Aileen!🤘🏻
Loved your reaction. That performance does grab your soul and will bring a tear to your eye. Janis means it when she sings. No holding back. Along with Aretha Franklin, she's one of the GOATS Imo.
Janis ♥️ she gave us her entire being in n this performance. She played around San Francisco but this was her first huge show for her and Big Brother . I was privileged to see them perform several times before her death at age 27 💔💔💔. They played at several venues in the city. This is my favorite song that she ever sang….so gutsy and raw. When she was leaving the stage is a beautiful moment for her as she received her big recognition. Clive Davis signed her and the band to a recording deal. Read about her tough start.
You'll find it difficult to find any other singer who brought emotion to the stage, like she did, Janis was a phenomenal vocal powerhouse. Sadly she is one of the founding members of the "27 club" (or club of 27), as she died way way too young and left us with just a handful of recordings. What might be more saddening even is her life story, she was not like other girls, so she was a target for ridicule and pestering, her school even voted her "ugliest boy in school". But there was one thing that gave her joy and confidence, and that was singing and performing, those were the only moments she felt loved. There were good people in her life too ofc, but the damage was already done in her younger years and she tried to ignore it, but the negatives were always lurking in the back of her mind. Her life and career were cut short, but her legacy will remain forever. ps. the lady who had the look of awe of her face? that's Mama Cass, one of the great vocalists of her time as well, she was one of the 2 female singers in "The Mamas and the Papas" and her voice was amazing as well. Clearly visible, she stood in awe of Janis.
I love the way you progressed thru each "chorus" as though you were simultaneously trying to catch and block the emotions flying out of miss Joplin seems you listen to not just hear whats going on....earned a sub
After getting through all of Janis' classics which definitely deserve to be heard, please check out her duet with Tom Jones called Raise Your Hand. It will highlight her lighter more energetic side as well.
Check out "Me and Bobby McGee" which was written by Kris Kristofferson. He recorded it and it was okay, but when Janis did it, it went to #1. She's in the 27 club with Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Brian Jones.
What I want MORE of is Aileen !!! Well, and Aileen watching and reacting to MORE Janice Joplin !!! Some more great (TOP) songs of hers are: 1. Cry Baby 2. Piece Of My Heart 3. Summertime 4. Get It While You Can 5. Mercedes Benz 6. Down On Me (hmm 🤔, whatever could she have meant ???) 7. Move Over Now, Janice *_IS_* one of those singers/groups that do really well live, because the music si still great and she ad-libs a LOT, ... and in the coolest ways.
The lady in the front row is actually Cass Elliot from the Mamas and the Papas. You can find several solo performances for Cass. You might also enjoy "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis.
This performance has become so legendary that most people either forget or don't know that she was virtually a complete unknown before she took the stage at this festival. Just makes u appreciate the balls she had to be herself. Few, if any, knew the name Janis Joplin before this, nobody forgot it after.
There is no second place when singing from their soul. Janice is alone, lapping the field. She sells our everything with every performance. Simply the best imo
That person was Cass Elliot" Mama's And Papa's Lead Vocalist in audience do a Reaction to "California Dreamin!" for a start! Glad You Love Janis We all did too!
I hope you go deep down this rabbit hole!! I’m gonna recommend mostly songs that aren’t the most common but greats!! -Little girl blue -Ego rock -Turtle blues -Get it while you can -As good as you’ve been to this world -Somebody to love -maybe -summertime
This was at the Monterey Pop Festival, June, 1967. Nobody in the audience knew who Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix were at the time. By the time the three-day event ended on Sunday night that weekend, EVERBODY knew who those two artists were.
If I'm not mistaken, I think that this was really Janis's introduction to the "big scene"...and, that she'd performed this song, earlier in the day (Monterrey Pop Festival)...and, they were filming the "bigger acts"....but, they asked her to come back on stage and perform it, again, so they could film her and the band. ENERGY: OFF THE CHARTS. She poured EVERYTHING SHE HAD into everything she did - and, if she DIDN'T: at least that's how it feels to those of us who are fans. Her rendition of Summertime is one of my FAVS, because of her amazing voice control in that one....but, to me: there IS no bad Janis tune!!
I haven't heard a better summary of Janis Joplin in a long time. There is really no one or few like her. The band here is big brother and the holding company. She later went solo and had other bands backing her but these were the first. And as a band they were awesome! A quote. She put her whole being into her singing she said "every night I make love to 10 ,000 people on stage, and go home alone". Ugh. What a beautiful talent. Enjoy
Janis put every ounce of her soul out through her songs. She had the ability to make you feel her pain through her singing. There will never be another singer close to her talent. Died way too young and not knowing how much she was truly loved. There will never be another “Pearl”
I enjoy your reactions. You are so enthusiastic. I've been a Janis fan for a long time. Favs: Me & Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz, Try, and Mary Jane. Suggestions for The Mamas & The Papas/Mama Cass; California Dreaming, Dream a Little Dream, and Mama Cass's duet w/John Denver performing Leaving on a Jet Plane.
That was a great review. Janis Joplin has always been one of my favorite singers, especially being a teenager in the late 60's and early 70's when so much great music was created. I believe you would be very impressed with Liliac. Melody is the lead singer who also has quite a unique voice like Janis Joplin does. They have covered "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin, "Holy Diver" by Dio, "Crazy Train" by Black Sabbath, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica and one of my favorite originals of theirs, "Mars". Every single one is spot on and the grittiness in her voice is perfect for heavy metal. They always get rave reviews and I'd love to hear your reaction to them.
