On This Day in 1970: Janis Joplin Sadly Passed Away, Becoming a Member of The 27 Club

To this day, Janis Joplin is one of the crucial figures in the ’60s flower-power movement. With hit songs such as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” and “Summertime” Joplin planted herself as a generational influence in a short amount of time. She was a female figurehead, a musical trailblazer, and to put it simply, pretty gosh darn cool.

Janis Joplin played in multiple bands, though, her most notable stint was with Big Brother and the Holding Company. However, she’s always been mostly known for her independent way of life. She walked and talked with some of the biggest names in pop culture and left them all shell-shocked. With all this in mind, today marks the 54th anniversary of the day the world tragically lost Janis Joplin.

The Day Janis Joplin Died

It was October 4, 1970, when Joplin passed away. She was found dead in her room at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Los Angeles. Her death was ruled as an accidental h— overdose. The discovery of her body came as a result of her missing a planned recording session for her acclaimed album Pearl. This then caused numerous parties to search for her, they then tragically found her deceased in her hotel room.

Following the discovery of Joplin’s body, news sources jumped all over the story and alerted the world of the pop culture icon’s death. The news was seemingly horrific, and shocking, and sent the already tempestuous world into a greater downward spiral, as one of the leading figures of the peace movement had just passed.

The Fourth Official Member of The ’27 Club’

Prior to Joplin’s death, Robert Johnson, Brian Jones, and Jimi Hendrix all became members of the 27 Club. Matter of fact, Hendrix had unfortunately become a member just three weeks before Joplin’s passing. Hendrix also passed from a drug overdose. Even though dying at 27 is something to be avoided at all costs, to be honored in such a light amidst something so horrific is a dim silver lining.

Janis Joplin’s career in both life and death is what garnered her this prestigiously morbid membership. Another tragically artistic segment of this story revolves around Joplin’s last album, Pearl. Released posthumously, Joplin’s album reached No. 1 on the charts and she also scored her first and only No. 1 hit with “Me and Bobby McGee.” A tragically cathartic ending to a colorful career and character.

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