Janis Joplin's Parents Talk About Her Death

[EvrythingandtheMusic]

this is so rare - thank you for sharing - so sad for her family :(

[MsAnubis79]

Wow! whenever Janis was asked about her home she always had such negative and sad things to say.; ( I mean for her mom to even mention that she thought her daughter was odd seems cold to me.As a parent she shouldnt be saying something negative like that! Most of all TO THE PRESS!!

[RImusclebear1]

Janis always loved her momma and daddy very much. Even though they didn't get along they loved her so much and she loved them!

[atfatw]

finally died in 1998! Janis's mom sucked

[twinclarinets66]

I wrote Mr. and Mrs. Joplin a letter in the fall of 1971, and received a personal reply from Mrs. Joplin - which I still have.

[dropthehammer88]

Janis was an amazing and beautiful person

[donnaloka]

yes, exactly! 

[donnaloka]

his mother was right when he says that Janis was a person very unusual because it was

[donnaloka]

I think that understanding a complex personality that janis was not easy for any of all those who have knows and even less for his mother. Janis needed to save a psychotherapist.

[bd9598]

You never met her parent's don't expect that one video shows the entirety of a person or how they feel etc.

[jonahtran1]

Her mother could have at least acted like she gave a shit.

[AlucardRawks]

@jonahtran1 Couldn't agree more. I'm glad that woman is not my mother.

[evileve18]

@stephen1102 It's not just the word.It's the way she said it like that was the only semi good thing she could say about her own daughter.

[evileve18]

Her parents sucked! I now see where her personal troubles(that lead to her death)came from.What kind of loving mother,after her daughter dies,calls her an unusual person?:/

[FaithIsAnnoyed]

@evileve18 Big generation gap in those days....big big big. Janis would have seemed like an alien to her mother, because of how free spirited and reckless she was. And you can see how much of an old fashioned southern conservative her mother was. I don't think her mother didn't love her, but just couldn't understand Janis.

[57mab]

@FaithIsAnnoyed Hardly... I come from the same era, and many of us ended up, if anything, "more" conservative than our parents on many issues. (not all ;) ). If you look into the music and lifestyle of her parent's day, it was not so different, after all, "The Song Remains the Same". Peace MB

[ayemaya75]

@FaithIsAnnoyed

Some people, including women who become mothers, are unable to "love". From this woman's tone of voice, facial expression, and attitude, I did not see a fraction of "love" in her.

[drkvamp]

There will never be another like Janis... Simply and without a doubt, the best.

[mcobmc]

She probably laughed from above when she heard all of these comments from her parents. Did anyone ever really understand Janis? It's okay because Janis was from beyond and was way above all this trivial stuff here.

[knight1768]

JANICE WHATEVER THEY SAY?YOU WERE SO GROOVY,MUCH PEACE MAMMA BLUES

[bassisblissfull]

its so ironic how Mercedez benz used her song as an ad campaign, she turned over in her grave for sure

[madsketcher]

@bassisblissfull Heh, that's the thing about death. Judgments die with the body; I doubt she's too busy to care

[lilywondertwin]

I would love it if my Mother said after my death " She was an UNUSUAL person" nice ---Mom!

[debrahubbard01]

miss you Janis, sleep in peace, sweet girl.

[ronnogold]

Miss You Janis. There will never be another like you here. Love and peace to you always.

[ladyyuna2000]

Rests in peace Janis Joplin

[tall32guy]

What did her mother mean "we never met Janis"?

[Rxx22]

@tall32guy she was reading a letter that a fan wrote to her after janis's death

[jackbarney1]

Didn't she die by coking on a ham sandwich?

[steve51704000]

@jackbarney1 - coking? I think you may die choking on a Vienna sausage.

[whoadude1959]

@jackbarney1

Mama Cass Elliott

[computerrage]

@jackbarney1 You're thinking of Mama Cass, (Cass Elliott of the Mamas and Papas)but even that story is apophrycal It was her heart due to obesity

[TeenRunaway0X0X]

Love you forever, genius Janis Joplin ( :

[MiddayShiver]

@blinko656 Are you kiddin me??

[00Daizy00]

Wow..., Mrs Joplin was definitely "the statement of authority" in her house without a doubt! Now that I've seen a clip of Janis's mother for the first time, I have to say that I believe Janis did inherit her mother's manner of quick~wit if I'll call it that!

[kerrinboy]

When was this interview done?

[princessofhesse]

as a mother myself, i'm 54, and not a real big Janis Joplin fan, I wish people could understand how hard all of this must have been on her parents. I'm sure they did the best they could as parents, we have three children and I hope I am able to say that about myself. Maybe they didn't "understand" or encourae her music, I imagine, being from the South and that generation, they were scared for her. Her drug use probably didn't play well with them either. But, I betthey loved her.

[woohooboy]

I have no doubt that Janis's parents loved her, but they never really understood her. Her parents were traditional southern people of their era. Janis represented something very different. Her mother wanted her to be like other young girls but Janis was never that person. Too much of a free spirit and rebel and sadly few people got her.

By all accounts, her upbringing was an unhappy one. Never fitting in with the other kids, Janis couldn't wait to leave the South and become her own person.

[VASINGER]

@woohooboy 1. Texas is not the South. 2. The South has a lot more interesting people, on average, I think that youd find repression anywhere in the USA- the midwest would be far worse, and many place in the northeastern usa are not very encouraging. To say Janis had to leave "the south" to be a free person is really ignorant.

[woohooboy]

@VASINGER - Considering what she had to endure whilst growing up in Texas (including being called "Ugliest Man on Campus when she was attending the University of Austin) and being called a dyke and lesbian by many of her fellow classmates, not to mention the way she was looked at when she attending a reunion shortly before her death, it's not surprising why she left. She stated herself that her upbringing wasn't the happiest becuase she felt misunderstood by those around her......

[VASINGER]

@woohooboy that could have happened anywhere. Im afraid it was true, that she was a lesbian.I dont think she was ugly, though. I think she was kinda cute. Its too bad she didnt find Jesus.

[woohooboy]

@VASINGER - You're right. It could of happened anywhere except for Janis, it happened in Texas. Not to mention being called a "N" lover for befriending black students at a time when white and black people weren't suppose to mix and socialise..

As for Janis's sexual orientation, it doesn't be at all if she like men or women. In fact, I admire her for it. She was a groundbreaker and a rule breaker. She was ahead of her time and for many of the conversative folks in Texas she was too far out.....

[schifferbrainz]

@VASINGER Why would she need to find Jesus? Did you lose him?

[RexLawson4eva]

@schifferbrainz because if she died without him she is in hell suffering eternal conscious torment THAT is why. And you can argue about it, make fun of people who believe it, until you end up in it. If you do not believe in it, don't worry, you will :)

[merdasrandom]

@VASINGER I'm sorry dude, but Janis is in heaven, because God made heaven for the good people, not just for the people that goes to church...

Janis had a pure heart, and completely full of love, and I am sure she find Jesus, in her way to heaven ;)

[vexamatic]

I remember when she died, just 16 days after Hendrix. It was not a good time if you loved music. I also remember the superstitious talking about the number 27, because Joplin and Hendrix had died at that age. Janis became an unwitting member of the 27 club which includes 27 year old famous musicians and singers who died at that age. Robert Johnson, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse.

[MattHatter]

@vexamatic Also if you remember Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson died on Sept. 3, 1970. He was also 27. Gary Thain, the bassist from Uriah Heep, died in Dec. of 1975, he was also 27.

[MsDeedee68]

her mother was never behind her talent

[princessofhesse]

@MsDeedee68 i'm sure none of us really know what her parents were like with here, when it ws just them and their daughter.  we parents do the best we can. maybe that was all her parents were able to give to her. Janis gave them equal grief, i'm sure.

[Goodwith2005]

Even though I think she was beautiful inside and out...I see now where some would think she wasn't..her parents weren't exactly lookers..

[mommyofdakota]

Wish I could see the WHOLE interview! FASCINATING!!

[Kristopful]

Janis will live for EVER...but the "parasites" will not.

I feel realy sad that so many do not understand that 'Janis' did not care for money or fame, yet they condem her for petty failings, caused by her personal pain & sorrow.

Are they better people.? What have they done.? What right have they to judge.?

[crazyfingers10ful]

@Kristopful

Well said and so true.... Her Mother turned her back on Janis and basically told her she wished she'd never had her :( Shame on her parents.

[atfatw]

@crazyfingers10ful parents can suck. it was because of Janis's hard earned wealth that joplins were able to live in a nice house instead of that little tiny crackerbox on port arthur

[funlover2283]

Who thinks besides me that her mother is a bitch for calling her an "unuuuuuuuusual" person? Wierd way to show love for your daughter...or not!

[Zunecrazy]

@funlover2283 Well, the mom never really agreed with her whole style. Watch the E! True Hollywood Story.

[Intelligentactress]

Truth is stranger than fiction. I didn't get to meet Janis when she was alive. I did a live dance performance at UNC-Asheville at the Glass House in 2003. My Film Acting Studies scene partner told me Janis will be there. I said "Janis is dead." You'll see she said. I did my performance. Sure enough an older lady with long greying hair came up to me after my event and she introduced herself to me "I'm Janis" she said. "You're a good dancer" she said. Then she invited me back to her house.

[SELFproclaimedVIRGIN]

I AM A VIRGIN

[testerz123456]

I'm glad that bitch overdosed!

[sublimepuravidamae]

@testerz123456 whats wrong with you

[periperigord]

Janis was my heroine in the 60s and on looking back can now appreciate just why I was such a fan. It wasn't only because of her music but also because of her courageous life style - a break from all that tradition and 'stuffiness'. One rebel can always recognise another. Bravo Janis!!

[interstategar]

Now there are agents that specialize in representing dead celebrities, and the family can get compensated. The want for money will never leave this earth as long as there are people on it. Just the way the world goes 'round

[truecancer]

Janis' parents did the same thing that almost all parents do, they worried about their childs choices, etc..and back then, you must remember that "rock" was not only new, but notorious. Easy to judge people in hindsight, but by all accounts, they adored their daughter.

[ayemaya75]

@truecancer

I'm not so sure that they "adored their daughter". Didn't sound or look like it to me. It seems as though they saw her as more of an embarrassment to them.

[chattychar]

not until recently did i learn of how cruel her mother and father were towards Janis. I'm not talking cruel as in physically, but rather emotionally. they lacked empathy or sympathy, or any understanding for that matter. this was in someway normal for the times because of the generation gaps, but she really hurt Janis and broke her heart. she told her she wish that she had never been born and than she wish she was never her daughter. simply because she didn't support her hippie lifestyle.

[landrykkb]

@chattychar Then again,Janis' parents were no different than any other parents of that era whose children were hippies.Hippies even still are counterculture to a certain extent.

[ayemaya75]

@landrykkb

Yes, but if those people were capable of empathy, they would have overlooked her behavior and loved her unconditionally -- something Janis was unable to receive from her parents. Many people are not capable of empathy or love.

[kayanarede]

Her mother looks like that witch from mexican TV series Chavo.

....

Parece a bruxa do 71 do Chaves.

[soninhamifi]

@kayanarede Coitada da mãe de Janis - Dona Clotilde. Não sei se os pais de Janis ainda vivem, mas os irmãos dela, Michael e Laura Joplin, sim.

[smilelikeUmeanit90]

JANIS WAS SENT BY GOD ON THIS PLANET

[Nu19Nu]

Janis was a unique and talented women who influenced and still influences music today it amazes me how such a wonderful and energized women came from a place where people at the time were afraid to be different

[vuduegg]

The fathers words are so true even today...

[blinko656]

She was terrific. I met her in 67 and she wanted to date me. She was sweet..

[Oriente7]

@blinko656 why didnt you...and if ur lying then whatever idgaf ya kno?

[blinko656]

@Oriente7 I went to a concert in SF and went outside to get some fresh air. Too much pot smoke. I was a athlete and didn't smoke. She came outside on the fire escape where I was and we hung out. She was very nice and I think she liked me. Gave her a kiss and she went back in. Her band was next up. It is the truth.

Mike

[blueguitarblue]

@blinko656 Nice memory. Janis is LEGEND. Mama of the Blues.

[winifredatwell]

@blinko656 Hello from Australia - thank you for this special memory, Mike. She was a person, you remind us, and a vulnerable one in many ways. Debbie Harry tells the story of working as a counter waitress in LA around 1969. She looked up from scraping scraps off the counter and it was Janis Joplin. She asked for a steak burger, was very nice, and left a $50 tip.

[blinko656]

@winifredatwell Hi, this is Blinko for Calif. Just read your comment, thank you. My story is true and will never be forgotten. In that short period of time I spent with her on the fire escape I see now she was kind of lonely looking for a friend. Later on in life my wife and I watched a biography on her. Her tastes in men were young athletic guys. That was me at the time, very 'preppy'. She would have her close friend spot someone and then try to get them to meet her. Great night.

[verbenco]

@blinko656 The world is now so security conscious that this sort of thing could never happen, but it was not all that unusual back then. I chatted with grateful dead members before a concert before 1972 and later with BB King and others. Of course I believe your story, but young people who have grown up with images of celebrities and their body guards might find it difficult. But then the world was different.

[blinko656]

@verbenco Thanks for your comment! It is a true story for sure. In a documentry by her sister on Autobiography or A and E her sister explained how Janis would have her band members (back stage guys)

go out and find guys she might want to meet. Hr sister said she like young clean cut athletic types. Far cry from the guys in the band. My wife and I saw the documentry and my wife's jaw dropped. And said 'wow that was you'. I want to repeat though, Janis was sweet and warm hearted,very kind

[verbenco]

@blinko656 glad you remember janis so fondly. nice to know that she was pleasant. many of the rock stars back then were nice human beings. of course there have always been prima donna's and just plain nasty musicians, but no use remembering them. Best to hold on to the good memories and ignore the rest. FYI Janis's off and on boyfriend was Pigpen of the Grateful Dead. If you are interested there are many bio's, but in the end your personal memory is what is important.

[Yeswetellthetruth]

@blinko656 Ugh......you lucky SOB xD

[blinko656]

@Yeswetellthetruth I am 62 and I remember the night well. I remember the huge light show which gave me a headache lol and the cig and pot smoke was to much for me. Thats why I found the upper story green exit sign and went outside for air. A great hug and a little bit of kissing is all it amounted to. Im left with the memory of her being so kind and very sweet.

mike

[xvoy2002]

@blinko656 Cool story.

[blinko656]

@xvoy2002  Thank You...

[yofera50]

@blinko656 you were way too stoned obviously.

[Llewellan]

@blinko656 I sure believe you....  'cause we hung out that way back then! It was bloody great.

[blinko656]

@Llewellan It certainly happened, kind of a once in a lifetime thrill for me. Thing s were different then. Thanks for commenting, and glad we had You tube. 35 years later Im watching A@E Biography with my wife 10:00 at night. Her sister is giving the details of Janis life. She said Janis would send her friends out in the audience to get young guys like me (preppy athelete then) to come back stage. My wife looked at me and her jaw dropped. I said to her SEEEE..

God Bless Bro

[djk28161]

@blinko656 Right?????????Wanna buy some oceanfront property in Nebraska??????I advised Jim Morrison and wrote all his songs too>>>>>>>>>>>>You Dildo

[BluesHarp60]

@blinko656 She was a Friend to all her fans and that was what made her such a lovable person and Musician! Her parents are old fashioned Folks they probably never understood her ways!

[poopablematerial]

@blinko656

Dude she was so into you bro!

[Prolo4Life]

@blinko656 wow lucky you, it's a beautiful story!

[EGMAG]

@blinko656

Yeah and I got her pregnant

[ayemaya75]

@blinko656

What a cool memory! May I ask, why didn't you take her out?

[NoRosesForMe]

This is really somethin. Very interesting. Thank you for posting this♥ She was the best.

[worldtripper]

40 years ago this year the world lost Janis Joplin and in those 40 years the world still thinks of her. RIP Janis , your still the greatest.