Janis Joplin's death: The tragic details of the iconic singer's end
Janis Joplin’s death in 1970 shook the entertainment industry to its core. Renowned for her powerful vocals, the American singer-songwriter was one of her era's most successful rock performers. Sadly, her big dreams and illustrious career were cut short when she met her tragic death eight years after making her musical debut.
Source: Getty Images
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Joplin gained notoriety as a Big Brother and the Holding Company rock band member in 1967. She had made several hit songs before her death. In 1995, over two decades after the star’s death, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone included her in their list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. But what happened to Janis Joplin?
Janis Joplin's profile summary
| Full name | Janis Lyn Joplin |
| Famous as | Janis Joplin |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 19 January 1943 |
| Date of death | 4 October 1970 |
| Age at death | 27 years old |
| Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | Port Arthur, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Alma mater | Thomas Jefferson High School |
| Height | 5’5’’ (165 cm) |
| Weight | 61 kg (135 lbs) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Sexuality | Bisexual |
| Marital status | Engaged (Alleged) |
| Fiancé | Seth Morgan |
| Parents | Seth and Dorothy Joplin |
| Siblings | 2 (Michael and Laura) |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1962-1970 |
| Net worth | $250,000 |
| Social media | InstagramFacebookX (Twitter) |
Janis Joplin's death
On 4 October 1970, Janis Joplin was found dead on the floor of her room at the Landmark Motor Hotel by her close pal and road manager, John Byrne Cooke. While newspapers documented that only alcohol was found in the room, a 1983 book by Thomas Noguchi and Joseph DiMona tells a different story.
Source: Original
What was Janis Joplin's cause of death?
Joseph and Thomas’ book reports that evidence of narcotics was removed from Janis’ room after her death by a friend.
However, the person returned the substances after realising that an autopsy would reveal the reason behind the star’s mysterious death. Joplin died of substance abuse.
Her close friend, Peggy Caserta, has insisted that she died as a result of a head gash suffered after the hourglass heel of her slingback sandal caught in the shag carpet, causing her to lose her balance.
Why did Janis Joplin abuse drugs?
Byrne once revealed that Janis had taken a drug that was much more potent than usual on the Sunday she passed on. Nonetheless, per concert performer and friend Bill Graham, the songwriter’s self-destruction was partly due to the pressure of her new-found fame.
Janis had much assurance when she got it all together onstage. However, she seemed to be extremely frightened offstage. She was timid and naïve and did not know how to handle fame and success.
Source: Getty Images
Janis Joplin's last words
Although the singer’s last words remain unclear, her final interview on The Dick Cavett Show offered a glimpse into her thoughts about the demands of fame and her feelings of being misunderstood. When asked how she responds to interviews, Janis answered:
Other than doing them when you do not feel like it or your words come out a little stranger than you meant them.
Where was Janis Joplin laid to rest?
The singer-songwriter was cremated at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles. Per Joplin’s wish, her ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean from a plane.
What was Janis Joplin's net worth at death?
Per Daily Express, Joplin was worth $250,000 at the time of her death in 1970. Today that would have amounted to $1.7 million after adjusting for inflation. Her income primarily stemmed from her successful 8-year musical career.
Who did Janis Joplin leave her money to?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, half of Janis’ estate was left to her parents and a quarter to her two surviving siblings. Her will directed that the wealth be split evenly between Laura and Michael upon her parent's death.
Source: Getty Images
Today, Janis Joplin’s siblings oversee the estate via a holding company called Jam Inc. Over the years, they have earned millions in royalties and licensing deals, a hundredfold more than the singer amassed during her lifetime.
For example, the celebrity siblings hoarded Joplin’s Porsche car for three decades, selling it for $1.76 during a 2015 auction.
FAQs
The late Janis Joplin’s career achievements have always attracted intense scrutiny in her life. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about her:
Did Janis Joplin have a child?
The Piece Of My Heart hitmaker was not married. She had not welcomed any child at the time of her death.
What was Janis Joplin’s age?
Janis (aged 27 at the time of death) was born on 19 January 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas, USA. She died on 4 October 1970.
Source: Getty Images
Are Janis Joplin’s parents still alive?
Seth Joplin died in May 1987 at the age of 77, while Dorothy Joplin died in December 1998 at the age of 85.
Janis Joplin’s death was nothing short of tragic. Sadly, she had a drug addiction problem that eventually led to her passing on at the young age of 27. However, the singer’s legacy lives on through the great music she left behind.
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Source: Briefly News
