Janis Joplin gets posthumous Hollywood star

Published November 5, 2013
Siblings of the late Janis Joplin, Laura (2nd L) and Michael (2nd R), pose with Kris Kristofferson (L) who performed “Me & Bobby McGee” for the crowd, and Clive Davis (R) pose on Janis's 'Star' on November 4, 2013 in Hollywood, California. — Photo by AFP
Siblings of the late Janis Joplin, Laura (2nd L) and Michael (2nd R), pose with Kris Kristofferson (L) who performed “Me & Bobby McGee” for the crowd, and Clive Davis (R) pose on Janis's 'Star' on November 4, 2013 in Hollywood, California. — Photo by AFP

LOS ANGELES: Singing legend Janis Joplin was honoured Monday with a star on Hollywood's storied Walk of Fame more than four decades after her death from a drug overdose.

The raspy-voiced singing star was immortalized on the famous Hollywood walk at a ceremony attended by her brother Michael and sister Laura, while country music luminary Kris Kristofferson played her signature hit “Me and Bobby McGee.”

”Janis Joplin is an iconic figure, and her songs will always be remembered by her fans around the world,” said Ana Martinez of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the famous Tinseltown sidewalk.

The 1960s hard-partying rock singer would have been 70 years old this year.

She died in October 1970, at the age of 27.

Joplin was given the 2,510th star on the Walk of Fame, where entertainment legends have long been enshrined on a stretch of pavement which attracts millions of tourists every year.

Her famous songs include “Down on Me,” “Summertime,” “Cry Baby” and “Mercedes Benz.” But her biggest hit was “Me and Bobby McGee,” written by Kristofferson.

Ironically, the song — part-ballad, part high-energy rock anthem — only topped the US charts in 1971, the year after Joplin died of a drug overdose.

Kristofferson played an acoustic version of the song on Monday outside the Musicians Institute, near the famous Hollywood and Highland intersection.

The raspy-voice Joplin, who produced four studio albums in her short career which included a legendary performance at the era-defining Woodstock festival in 1969, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...