rockers began mounting, and they began using stronger, more expensive drugs, the relentless use of the drugs began to affect their working relationship. It was evident in Janis' performances. She began scratching her head excessively- a side effect of excessive heroin use- and, in December of 1968, she left Big Brother in pursuit of a solo career. By now, Janis was a national celebrity, with an established reputation and critics everywhere raving about her performances. Of course, her established reputation didn't stop at her exceptional music. She was very much a typical rock star, using drugs and drinking excessively. Southern Comfort was her particular favorite that has been contributed to her “raspy” whisky voice. Janis decided against going solo and instead joined another band entitled the Kozmic Blues Band. She appeared with them at the great Woodstock festival, and they released one album together: "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again, Mama", released in September 1969, which, although it showed the maturity of her sound, received mixed reviews. Rolling Stone, in particular, slated the album. It was a somewhat different sound from Big Brother, with more emphasis on R&B than previously. In 1970, while recording her first album with the Full Tilt Boogie Band, Janis chanced into using heroin once again. Ironically, it was the workaholic side of Janis that landed her with her heroin habit. Unbelievably, despite the obvious negative effects, she believed that the drug made her feel fresh for rehearsals and performances- the two things that added the most pressure to her life. Like any heroin user, she was deluding herself. The slippery slope had begun.In Saturday October 4th 1970, Janis Joplin was staying at the Landmark Hotel in Los Angeles, California. She had almost finished recording the album "Pearl" with the Full Tilt Boogie Band and, that evening, she injected some heroin to help her to relax amid the recording sessio...
