Blues-influenced rock singer and occasional songwriter with a distinctive voice. Joplin performed on four albums recorded between 1966 and 1970, two as the lead singer of San Francisco’s Big Brother and The Holding Company, and two released as a solo artist. Joplin was found dead at the Landmark Hotel in Hollywood on October 4, 1970, most likely due to an overdose of heroin and whiskey. She was twenty-seven. Photocopied free verse poem, entitled “Sing A Song of Raw Meat: Tough Talking Woman’s Blues, six pages, 8.5 x 11, by Ginger Wilson. Poem begins, “Brewed on the banks, balled on the banks of Life; In the tradition of Mae West and Black blues singers; her accident ward wail, that raw meat voice forced from a raucous resonator.” Signed and inscribed on the front page in blue ballpoint, “Ginger, beautiful poem. Thanks, Janis Joplin.” This poem was published in the February 1, 1969, issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Poem was originally stored in the “Jim Morrison File” at the magazine’s office. At the end of 1968, the magazine decided to close the file, and printed two of the most representative poems from the file, this being one of the two. Accompanied by an original clipping from the magazine, with both poems printed at the top of the page. Intersecting folds, scattered light toning, and rusty staple holes to top corners, otherwise fine condition. COA Roger Epperson/REAL and R&R COA.
