THE FIRST HIPPIE PINUP GIRL!

That's what she said.

My brother and I ventured out one wet winter night to see Janis and her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Driving 60 miles to San Francisco in the VW was nothing. Gas went for pennies on the gallon. We had plenty of time on our hands. Checking out a female singer who could belt one hell of a song out while chugging on a bottle of Southern Comfort seemed like a good thing to do.

The essence of Janis Joplin was amazing. The songs. Her stage presence. And oh how she could drink. Having downed a fifth of Southern Comfort, Janis sang every song as if she was stone sober.

Not many people can hold their liquor like Janis Joplin.

It wasn't surprising when Jim Morrison died. Towards the end of his life, Jim became very strange indeed. He was hell bent on self destruction.

When Janis died a little piece of everyone died. Life as a free spirit . . . How bad can that be? We were envious.

After all is said about Janis Joplin, she really was the first hippie pinup girl. They don't make 'em like that anymore.