Above is a painting of a scene in Port Arthur, Texas, which is the home town of rock-and-roll singer Janis Joplin.
I had a misty memory in my mind that I was in 5th grade in Rootstown, Ohio, when I heard that Janis Joplin had died. But when I see the date, I realize I was in 6th grade. Close. And the memory includes a little small grocery story -- a convenience store, maybe -- called Lawson's (I think). It was within walking distance of our house on State Route 44.
I went there sometimes, to buy comic books or a peppermint patty, or the ubiquitous and ongoing "milk-and-bread" for my mother.
Maybe I saw the Janis Joplin headline on a magazine or newspaper.
I remember my dad mentioned her passing, as well.
On You Tube I've seen a Janis interview on The Dick Cavett Show -- I would guess that's where my father would have seen her - or he could have read about her in TIME or Newsweek magazine.
I was left with the impression that you should never take drugs because if you did, you might die.
At that time I did not know her music, but I knew her name.
She was 27 years old when she passed, same age as Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix.
Janis Joplin January 19, 1943 - October 4, 1970
Jim Morrison (The Doors) December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971
Jimi Hendrix November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970.
Some people call it "The 27 Club" -- musicians who died at that age. Others are
Brian Jones (founder of The Rolling Stones)
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
Amy Winehouse
...and there are more - if you Google it.
I don't really like the expression "27 Club" - it seems disrespectful, but maybe people don't mean it that way.
I like to just appreciate the music they brought to us. Amazing artistic spirits.
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On You Tube, type in
Me and Bobby McGee, Janis Joplin
and play / enjoy.
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