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Big Brother & The Holding Company

Data updated on 2025-03-30 07:01:54 UTC
One of the major bands in the San Francisco rock scene of the mid- to late '60s, Big Brother & the Holding Company are best remembered as the group that introduced Janis Joplin to the world. However, the band existed before Joplin joined and moved forward after she departed, continuing to deliver their powerful fusion of hard rock, blues, and psychedelia. Formed in 1965, Big Brother had begun making a name for themselves on the burgeoning SF music scene when, in search of a powerful lead vocalist, they were introduced to a blues singer who had recently relocated to Northern California from Texas. With Janis Joplin at the microphone, Big Brother & the Holding Company's profile soared, and after a misbegotten debut album for Mainstream Records, they scored a smash with their second LP, 1968's Cheap Thrills, which went to number one on the album charts and spawned the hit single "Piece of my Heart." Cheap Thrills made Big Brother stars, but Joplin left the group only a few months after it came out, and a revamped version returned with Be a Brother in 1970. The group folded in 1972, but in 1987, the original line-up returned to the stage, and cut a studio album, Do What You Love, in 1998 that demonstrated they maintained the sound and style of their early work while adding a few modern touches.

The story of Big Brother & the Holding Company begins in 1965, when Peter Albin, a guitarist with a background in folk and blues, met Sam Andrew, a fellow guitar player who was well-versed in jazz and classical as well as rock. Albin invited Andrew to his house to jam, and they decided to form a band. They soon teamed with James Gurley, another guitarist who had recently arrived in the Bay Area from Detroit. Chet Helms, a music fan and concert promoter who had been part of the burgeoning rock scene in Austin, Texas, became their manager and they were soon playing open-mike jam sessions in San Francisco. With Albin moving to bass guitar and Chuck Jones on drums, Big Brother & the Holding Company became a regular attraction at the Avalon Ballroom, a venue that was featuring fellow adventurous bands such as the Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. Before 1966 was out, Jones left the group and Dave Getz took over on drums, and BBHC began looking for a female lead singer. Helms was friends with Janis Joplin, whom he had known from his days in Texas, and persuaded her to come to San Francisco and audition. Joplin's previous experience had largely been in acoustic music, and the musicians were not initially bowled over by her vocals, but they decided to give her a chance, and she first appeared on-stage with Big Brother in June 1966.

Big Brother & the Holding Company hit the road, and after playing a residency at a club in Chicago in September 1966, the band discovered they didn't have enough money to get home to San Francisco. Needing to raise cash fast, they struck a deal with Mainstream, a Chicago-based label that primarily released jazz material. The group hastily recorded an album that largely focused on their low-key acoustic material rather than the heavier electric sound that was becoming their hallmark. By the time the self-titled album came out, the band had appeared at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, where Big Brother's performance -- and Joplin's powerhouse vocals in particular -- became the talk of fans and music journalists. While the album Big Brother & the Holding Company was widely regarded as a disappointment, their Monterey set (which became a highlight of the documentary Monterey Pop) brought them to the attention of Albert Grossman, a manager whose clients included Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Ian & Sylvia. Grossman took over management of Big Brother & the Holding Company, extricated them from their contract with Mainstream, and negotiated a more lucrative deal with Columbia Records. Having impressed audiences on the road (they were chosen to be the first headliners when Bill Graham opened the Fillmore East in March 1968), their second album was highly anticipated, and when Cheap Thrills (originally titled Sex, Dope and Cheap Thrills before Columbia got cold feet) arrived in August 1968, it was an immediate hit and would spend eight weeks at the number one spot on the national album charts, while "Piece of My Heart" was a major Top 40 hit.

As Big Brother & the Holding Company's fame grew, Janis Joplin increasingly received far more attention than her bandmates, and after the group finished a summer tour, Joplin informed them that she was quitting BBHC to go solo. On December 1, 1968, Joplin played her final show with Big Brother; fittingly, the concert was a benefit for Chet Helms' commune the Family Dog. Sam Andrew also left Big Brother to join Joplin in her new group, the Kozmic Blues Band, while Dave Getz and Peter Albin joined another venerable San Francisco outfit, Country Joe & the Fish. Getz and Albin's time with Country Joe was short-lived, and in 1970 Big Brother & the Holding Company returned with Albin, Andrew, Getz, and Gurley joined by guitarist Dave Schallock and vocalists Nick Gravenites and Kathi McDonald. They released an album, Be a Brother, in October 1970, the same month Joplin died of a drug overdose (she made a brief vocal appearance on the album). Big Brother toured in support, and How Hard It Is followed in 1971, with the band expanding again with the addition of Mike Finnigan on keyboards and vocals. Sales of the two post-Joplin albums were not impressive, and in 1972, Big Brother & the Holding Company disbanded.

Thanks to the continuing interest in Joplin's work, occasional reissues and archival releases such as Cheaper Thrills (drawn from a live recording of one of Joplin's first shows with the band) kept the legacy of Big Brother & the Holding Company alive. In 1987, 20 years after the release of their first album, Albin, Andrew, Getz, and Gurley re-formed Big Brother for live work, with a succession of guest vocalists standing in for Janis. In 1997, BBHC named Lisa Battle as their official lead vocalist; the decision did not please Gurley, who left the group, while Tom Finch took his place. 1998 saw the release of Do What You Love, Big Brother's first studio album since How Hard It Is in 1971. In 2006, they dropped a live album, Hold Me, which documented a 2005 performance at Germany's Burg Herzberg Festival. By this time, Chad Quist had taken over for Tom Finch, and Sophia Ramos replaced Lisa Battle. In 2008, Ben Nieves took the spot left by departing Chad Quist, and Sophia Ramos dropped out, with the combo going back to using a rotating series of guest singers. From this point on, Big Brother & the Holding Company experienced frequent personnel changes, but Peter Albin and Dave Getz remained constants, holding the group together and providing the link to their earliest days. In December 2009, James Gurley lost his life after a heart attack, only two days before he was to turn 70 years old, while Sam Andrew died during open heart surgery in February 2015. In November 2018, Columbia/Legacy Records celebrated the 50th anniversary of the release of Cheap Thrills with Sex, Dope & Cheap Thrills, a 30-track collection that included 29 outtakes from the Cheap Thrills recording sessions (25 of them previously unreleased), along with a version of "Ball and Chain" recorded during a concert in San Francisco in April 1968. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Total plays

714.5 million
Updated on 2025-03-30

Country

United States

Social media links

Monthly listeners

1,697,507

Followers

307,463

Top Cities

  1. Chile
    29,669 listeners
  2. Brazil
    29,143 listeners
  3. Australia
    16,617 listeners
  4. Italy
    16,637 listeners
  5. Mexico
    22,636 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Piece of My Heart
Piece of My Heart
253,806,953 4:13 1968-08-12
Piece Of My Heart
Piece Of My Heart
253,806,953 4:14 1999-11-24
Summertime
Summertime
58,892,110 3:58 1968-08-12
Call On Me
Call On Me
28,450,079 2:33 1967-01-01
Ball and Chain
Ball and Chain
21,192,432 9:28 1968-08-12
I Need a Man to Love
I Need a Man to Love
10,397,341 4:53 1968-08-12
Down On Me
Down On Me
9,598,225 2:05 1967-01-01
Bye, Bye Baby
Bye, Bye Baby
6,368,015 2:37 1967-01-01
Piece of My Heart - Live at The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
Piece of My Heart - Live at The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
6,109,911 4:06 1972-05-01
Turtle Blues
Turtle Blues
4,756,568 4:21 1968-08-12
Combination of the Two
Combination of the Two
3,874,118 5:47 1968-08-12
Summertime - Live at The Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - June 1968
Summertime - Live at The Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - June 1968
3,545,829 4:46 1972-05-01
Coo Coo
Coo Coo
3,063,806 1:56 1967-01-01
Ball and Chain
Ball and Chain
3,060,830 8:11 2017-06-09
Down On Me - Live at The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
Down On Me - Live at The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
2,848,523 3:07 1972-05-01
Blindman
Blindman
2,377,249 2:23 1967-01-01
Women Is Losers - Live at the Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - December 1966
Women Is Losers - Live at the Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - December 1966
2,309,080 5:06 2016-02-12
Catch Me Daddy - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
Catch Me Daddy - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
2,152,204 5:32 1968-08-12
Ego Rock - Live at The Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA - April 1970
Ego Rock - Live at The Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA - April 1970
2,054,238 8:01 1972-05-01
All Is Loneliness - Live at The Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA - April 1970
All Is Loneliness - Live at The Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA - April 1970
2,051,030 5:46 1972-05-01
Easy Rider
Easy Rider
1,973,291 2:23 1967-01-01
Women Is Losers
Women Is Losers
1,873,641 2:03 1967-01-01
Oh, Sweet Mary
Oh, Sweet Mary
1,657,715 4:14 1968-08-12
Bye, Bye Baby - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Bye, Bye Baby - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
1,598,489 4:28 1972-05-01
Flower In the Sun
Flower In the Sun
1,519,229 3:04 1968-08-12
Flower In the Sun - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Flower In the Sun - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
1,474,865 3:12 1968-08-12
Roadblock
Roadblock
1,427,267 5:41 1968-08-12
Farewell Song - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Farewell Song - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
1,257,303 5:58 1968-08-12
Flower In the Sun - Live at The Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - June 1968
Flower In the Sun - Live at The Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - June 1968
1,140,039 3:04 1972-05-01
Magic of Love - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
Magic of Love - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
929,308 3:58 1968-08-12
The Last Time
The Last Time
715,189 2:15 1967-01-01
Magic of Love - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March1968
Magic of Love - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March1968
614,526 3:03 2016-02-12
Road Block - Live at The Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - June 1968
Road Block - Live at The Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - June 1968
577,824 3:03 1972-05-01
Medley: Amazing Grace / Hi Heel Sneakers - Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA - January 1967
Medley: Amazing Grace / Hi Heel Sneakers - Live at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA - January 1967
540,543 1:29 1982-02-01
All Is Loneliness
All Is Loneliness
533,988 2:31 1967-01-01
Summertime - Take 2
Summertime - Take 2
515,736 4:10 2018-11-30
I Know You Rider
I Know You Rider
487,273 3:14 2020-11-13
Combination of The Two - Take 3
Combination of The Two - Take 3
482,160 5:32 2018-11-30
Intruder
Intruder
464,064 2:27 1967-01-01
I Need a Man to Love - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
I Need a Man to Love - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
409,754 5:52 1968-08-12
Magic of Love - Live at The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
Magic of Love - Live at The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 1968
409,563 3:00 1982-02-01
Light Is Faster Than Sound
Light Is Faster Than Sound
405,610 2:30 1967-01-01
Ball and Chain - Live at Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 12, 1968
Ball and Chain - Live at Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 12, 1968
381,222 7:27 2018-11-30
Caterpillar
Caterpillar
352,618 2:18 1967-01-01
I Need a Man to Love - Take 4
I Need a Man to Love - Take 4
314,312 8:05 2018-11-30
Farewell Song - Take 7
Farewell Song - Take 7
307,503 5:03 2018-11-30
Piece of My Heart - Take 6
Piece of My Heart - Take 6
293,761 4:54 2018-11-30
Ultimate Ball & Chain
Ultimate Ball & Chain
270,811 11:02 2020-11-24
Ball & Chain - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Ball & Chain - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
264,318 9:23 2012-03-13
Drivin' Stupid
Drivin' Stupid
261,011 8:13 2020-11-13
Easy Once You Know How - Take 1 Edit
Easy Once You Know How - Take 1 Edit
256,941 3:53 1999-08-23
Harry - Take 10
Harry - Take 10
245,971 1:10 2018-11-30
Piece of My Heart - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Piece of My Heart - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
240,420 6:41 1968-08-12
Summertime (From 'Porgy & Bess') - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Summertime (From 'Porgy & Bess') - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
239,931 4:38 1968-08-12
Down On Me Matrix
Down On Me Matrix
220,481 2:40 2021-12-10
Down On Me - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Down On Me - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
211,963 3:01 1968-08-12
Ball and Chain - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Ball and Chain - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
196,216 9:43 1968-08-12
Turtle Blues - Take 4
Turtle Blues - Take 4
195,883 4:46 2018-11-30
Call On Me - Alternate Take
Call On Me - Alternate Take
186,863 2:41 1999-08-23
Summertime - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Summertime - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
186,210 4:29 2012-03-13
Oh, Sweet Mary
Oh, Sweet Mary
172,676 4:23 2018-11-30
It's a Deal - Take 1
It's a Deal - Take 1
167,232 2:41 2018-11-30
Easy Once You Know How - Take 1
Easy Once You Know How - Take 1
166,056 4:34 2018-11-30
Piece of My Heart - Take 4
Piece of My Heart - Take 4
165,791 4:06 2018-11-30
Misery 'N
Misery 'N
165,614 4:11 1982-02-01
Bye, Bye Baby - Alternate Take
Bye, Bye Baby - Alternate Take
163,398 2:39 1999-08-23
How Many Times Blues Jam
How Many Times Blues Jam
161,103 5:25 2018-11-30
Catch Me Daddy - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Catch Me Daddy - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
159,587 5:45 1968-08-12
Bye, Bye Baby - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Bye, Bye Baby - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
156,229 4:14 1968-08-12
Easy Rider - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Easy Rider - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
154,914 5:17 1968-08-12
Down On Me (Second Version) - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Down On Me (Second Version) - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
154,400 4:03 1968-08-12
It's Cool - Live [Remastered]
It's Cool - Live [Remastered]
153,962 8:58 2018-08-03
Piece Of My Heart - earliest live
Piece Of My Heart - earliest live
151,892 4:04 2021-08-03
Catch Me Daddy - Take 1
Catch Me Daddy - Take 1
151,685 5:34 2018-11-30
Farewell Song - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Farewell Song - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
147,426 4:37 1982-02-01
Combination of the Two - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Combination of the Two - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
144,945 6:58 1968-08-12
Catch Me Daddy - Take 10
Catch Me Daddy - Take 10
139,577 4:21 2018-11-30
Magic of Love - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Magic of Love - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
136,620 3:08 1968-08-12
I Need A Man To Love - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
I Need A Man To Love - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
136,388 6:40 2012-03-13
Summertime - Take 1
Summertime - Take 1
129,660 3:13 2018-11-30
Flower In the Sun - Take 3
Flower In the Sun - Take 3
127,615 3:13 2018-11-30
As The Years Go Passing By
As The Years Go Passing By
127,408 5:21 2022-12-07
Combination Of The Two - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Combination Of The Two - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
123,854 4:36 2012-03-13
Piece of My Heart - Take 3
Piece of My Heart - Take 3
114,041 4:31 2018-11-30
Light Is Faster Than Sound - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
Light Is Faster Than Sound - Live at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA - April 1968
112,068 7:16 1968-08-12
Misery'n - Take 4
Misery'n - Take 4
109,744 4:58 2018-11-30
Flower In The Sun - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Flower In The Sun - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
109,606 3:12 2012-03-13
Oh Sweet Mary
Oh Sweet Mary
106,882 6:54 2018-11-30
Catch Me Daddy - Take 9
Catch Me Daddy - Take 9
104,083 3:16 2018-11-30
I Need a Man to Love - Take 3
I Need a Man to Love - Take 3
101,504 7:07 2018-11-30
Turtle Blues - Take 9
Turtle Blues - Take 9
99,458 3:60 2018-11-30
Catch Me Daddy
Catch Me Daddy
98,489 4:50 1982-02-01
Call On Me - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Call On Me - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
95,675 4:04 2012-03-13
Farewell Song - Take 4
Farewell Song - Take 4
94,469 4:27 2018-11-30
Joseph's Coat
Joseph's Coat
90,306 3:10 2016-04-01
Piece Of My Heart (feat. Janis Joplin) - Single Version
Piece Of My Heart (feat. Janis Joplin) - Single Version
86,235 2:45 2017-09-29
It's A Deal - Take 1 Edit
It's A Deal - Take 1 Edit
83,888 2:17 1999-08-23
Piece Of My Heart - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Piece Of My Heart - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
83,057 4:49 2012-03-13
Misery'n - Takes 2 & 3
Misery'n - Takes 2 & 3
81,897 3:58 2018-11-30
Jam - I'm Mad (Mad Man Blues) - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Jam - I'm Mad (Mad Man Blues) - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
81,457 6:52 2012-03-13
You've Been Talkin' 'bout Me Baby
You've Been Talkin' 'bout Me Baby
80,678 3:27 2016-04-01
Magic of Love - Take 1
Magic of Love - Take 1
79,378 3:18 2018-11-30
Farewell Song - Take 5
Farewell Song - Take 5
77,685 5:13 2018-11-30
Harry - Take 9
Harry - Take 9
76,775 1:10 2018-11-30
Keep On
Keep On
72,998 4:21 2016-04-01
Turtle Blues - last verse Takes 1 - 3
Turtle Blues - last verse Takes 1 - 3
68,704 4:34 2018-11-30
Harry
Harry
65,060 0:56 1982-02-01
House on Fire
House on Fire
62,767 3:56 2016-04-01
Call On Me - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 23, 1968
Call On Me - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 23, 1968
61,265 3:57 2012-03-13
Down On Me - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Down On Me - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
60,178 2:45 2012-03-13
Great White Guru - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Great White Guru - Live at The Matrix, 1967
59,051 5:45 2012-10-01
Light Is Faster Than Sound - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Light Is Faster Than Sound - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
56,131 6:03 2012-03-13
Maui
Maui
55,920 3:27 2016-04-01
Catch Me Daddy - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Catch Me Daddy - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
55,203 5:07 2012-03-13
Turtle Blues - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Turtle Blues - Live at The Matrix, 1967
54,013 6:45 2012-10-01
Women
Women
53,422 4:37 2022-01-07
It's A Deal - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
It's A Deal - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
51,050 2:29 2012-03-13
Heartache
Heartache
50,377 3:49 2020-12-16
Misery'n
Misery'n
50,166 5:31 2021-10-25
Coo Coo - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
Coo Coo - Live at the Carousel Ballroom - June 22, 1968
49,510 6:23 2012-03-13
How Hard It Is
How Hard It Is
43,393 4:21 2016-04-01
Mr. Natural
Mr. Natural
41,464 3:31 2016-04-01
Prayer For You
Prayer For You
40,227 4:18 2021-03-28
Ball and Chain - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
Ball and Chain - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
39,561 10:13 2025-01-17
Home on the Strange
Home on the Strange
38,987 2:14 2016-04-01
Funkie Jim
Funkie Jim
38,574 3:47 2016-04-01
Home On the Strange
Home On the Strange
38,479 2:12 1970-10-01
Tired Of It All
Tired Of It All
38,003 4:39 2020-12-16
Someday
Someday
35,706 2:17 2016-04-01
Catch Me Daddy
Catch Me Daddy
34,276 6:26 2022-02-12
Somebody's Knockin' On My Door
Somebody's Knockin' On My Door
32,871 2:59 2022-10-22
Nu Boogaloo Jam
Nu Boogaloo Jam
31,250 3:25 2016-04-01
Ball and Chain
Ball and Chain
29,740 7:33 2006-01-01
Do What You Love
Do What You Love
29,531 5:38 2022-02-19
Piece of My Heart
Piece of My Heart
29,464 4:45 2006-01-01
In The Hall of the Mountain King - Live at California Hall, 1966
In The Hall of the Mountain King - Live at California Hall, 1966
27,232 6:51 2012-10-01
Hall Of The Mountain King
Hall Of The Mountain King
27,232 6:51 2021-11-11
Heartache People
Heartache People
27,230 6:33 1970-10-01
Oh! My Soul - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Oh! My Soul - Live at The Matrix, 1967
27,082 2:34 2012-10-01
Be a Brother
Be a Brother
26,079 3:04 2016-04-01
Buried Alive in the Blues
Buried Alive in the Blues
24,345 3:59 2016-04-01
Hold Me.
Hold Me.
22,289 5:10 2021-04-06
Hold Me
Hold Me
22,289 5:11 2021-01-01
Ball and Chain - Live at California Hall, 1966
Ball and Chain - Live at California Hall, 1966
22,235 6:43 2012-10-01
Ball & Chain - Live
Ball & Chain - Live
22,235 6:41 2014-11-15
Keep On
Keep On
19,687 4:19 1970-10-01
Bye, Bye, Baby - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Bye, Bye, Baby - Live at The Matrix, 1967
18,957 4:11 2012-10-01
Bye Bye Baby - Live
Bye Bye Baby - Live
18,957 4:13 2014-11-15
Promise Her Anything but Give Her Arpeggio
Promise Her Anything but Give Her Arpeggio
18,804 3:53 1971-07-21
Save Your Love
Save Your Love
18,740 5:20 2016-04-01
I Need a Man to Love
I Need a Man to Love
18,732 6:13 2016-04-01
Turtle Blues
Turtle Blues
18,639 4:43 2021-01-01
Ball & Chain (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
Ball & Chain (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
18,057 8:24 1967-01-01
Down on Me - Live [Remastered]
Down on Me - Live [Remastered]
17,812 3:24 2018-08-03
Take Off
Take Off
17,233 3:26 2016-04-01
Call On Me
Call On Me
16,341 3:55 2006-01-01
Amazing Grace - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Amazing Grace - Live at The Matrix, 1967
16,057 11:29 2012-10-01
Blow My Mind - Live at California Hall, 1966
Blow My Mind - Live at California Hall, 1966
15,258 2:35 2012-10-01
To Love Somebody
To Love Somebody
14,959 5:46 2022-02-14
Save Your Love - Live [Remastered]
Save Your Love - Live [Remastered]
14,349 5:49 2018-08-03
Mr. Natural
Mr. Natural
13,929 3:30 1970-10-01
It's Cool
It's Cool
13,715 6:12 2021-01-01
Black Widow Spider
Black Widow Spider
13,685 3:32 1971-07-21
Fly With Me
Fly With Me
13,294 3:03 2019-03-08
Down On Me
Down On Me
12,957 3:26 2006-01-01
How Hard It Is
How Hard It Is
12,952 4:21 1971-07-21
Hey, Baby - Live at California Hall, 1966
Hey, Baby - Live at California Hall, 1966
12,761 2:51 2012-10-01
Hey Baby
Hey Baby
12,761 2:51 2023-02-12
Combination of The Two
Combination of The Two
12,646 5:51 2006-01-01
Try It
Try It
12,386 3:53 2020-12-16
Summertime
Summertime
12,211 4:47 2006-01-01
Shine On
Shine On
12,007 3:55 1971-07-21
Bo's Bayou
Bo's Bayou
11,928 3:16 2016-04-01
Bo's Bio
Bo's Bio
11,928 3:16 2022-09-16
Hold Me - Live [Remastered]
Hold Me - Live [Remastered]
11,573 4:49 2018-08-03
Women Is Losers - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Women Is Losers - Live at The Matrix, 1967
11,322 5:07 2012-10-01
Backdoor Jamb
Backdoor Jamb
11,189 0:52 2016-04-01
I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle
I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle
11,109 3:11 1970-10-01
Turtle Blues
Turtle Blues
10,658 4:18 2006-01-01
Piece of My Heart - Live [Remastered]
Piece of My Heart - Live [Remastered]
10,621 4:47 2018-08-03
Ball & Chain (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Sunday, 6/18/1967)
Ball & Chain (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Sunday, 6/18/1967)
10,600 8:40 1967-01-01
Women Is Losers
Women Is Losers
10,501 4:45 2016-04-01
Ball & Chain
Ball & Chain
10,389 7:16 2019-03-08
Joseph's Coat
Joseph's Coat
10,029 3:08 1970-10-01
Why Live at Fillmore East
Why Live at Fillmore East
9,730 5:41 2022-05-07
Piece of My Heart - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
Piece of My Heart - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
9,692 4:18 2025-01-17
Call on Me - Live [Remastered]
Call on Me - Live [Remastered]
9,637 3:53 2018-08-03
Do What You Love
Do What You Love
9,522 4:15 2016-04-01
Hi Heels Sneakers - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Hi Heels Sneakers - Live at The Matrix, 1967
9,438 3:37 2012-10-01
Summertime - Live [Remastered]
Summertime - Live [Remastered]
9,372 4:59 2018-08-03
Coo Coo - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
Coo Coo - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
9,256 4:46 2025-01-17
Freedom
Freedom
9,190 3:09 2016-04-01
Whisperman - Live at California Hall, 1966
Whisperman - Live at California Hall, 1966
9,157 1:46 2012-10-01
X Factor
X Factor
9,124 4:12 2016-04-01
Intruder Live
Intruder Live
9,104 3:16 2021-12-10
Last Band On Side One
Last Band On Side One
8,819 1:55 1971-07-21
Turtle Blues - Live [Remastered]
Turtle Blues - Live [Remastered]
8,746 4:20 2018-08-03
The OK Chorale
The OK Chorale
8,697 0:50 2016-04-01
Let the Good Times Roll - Live at California Hall, 1966
Let the Good Times Roll - Live at California Hall, 1966
8,475 2:37 2012-10-01
All Is Loneliness - Live at The Matrix, 1967
All Is Loneliness - Live at The Matrix, 1967
8,468 9:05 2012-10-01
Blindman
Blindman
8,443 5:15 2006-01-01
Hold Me
Hold Me
8,420 4:48 2006-01-01
It's Cool
It's Cool
8,405 8:59 2006-01-01
Down On Me - Live at California Hall, 1966
Down On Me - Live at California Hall, 1966
8,224 2:45 2012-10-01
Save Your Love
Save Your Love
8,067 5:48 2006-01-01
Down on Me (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
Down on Me (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
8,005 3:42 1967-01-01
Faster, Pussycat, Kill! Kill! - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Faster, Pussycat, Kill! Kill! - Live at The Matrix, 1967
7,870 2:23 2012-10-01
Someday
Someday
7,694 2:14 1970-10-01
Combination of the Two - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
Combination of the Two - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
7,664 5:26 2025-01-17
Sunshine Baby
Sunshine Baby
7,524 3:27 1970-10-01
You've Been Talkin' 'Bout Me Baby
You've Been Talkin' 'Bout Me Baby
7,228 3:25 1971-07-21
I Know You, Rider - Live at California Hall, 1966
I Know You, Rider - Live at California Hall, 1966
7,195 3:14 2012-10-01
Combination of the Two - Live [Remastered]
Combination of the Two - Live [Remastered]
7,193 5:49 2018-08-03
Moanin' At Midnight - Live at California Hall, 1966
Moanin' At Midnight - Live at California Hall, 1966
7,180 4:57 2012-10-01
Ball and Chain - Live [Remastered]
Ball and Chain - Live [Remastered]
7,170 7:37 2018-08-03
Caterpillar - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Caterpillar - Live at The Matrix, 1967
7,105 4:09 2012-10-01
Combination of the Two (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
Combination of the Two (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
7,100 5:27 1967-01-01
Feed the Flame
Feed the Flame
6,917 4:42 2016-04-01
Looking Back
Looking Back
6,881 3:49 2016-04-01
Down On Me - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
Down On Me - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
6,836 2:34 2025-01-17
All Is Loneliness - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
All Is Loneliness - Live at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI - March 2, 1968
6,762 8:51 2025-01-17
It's Cool
It's Cool
6,723 3:39 2016-04-01
Funkie Jim
Funkie Jim
6,711 3:44 1970-10-01
It's A Deal - Live at The Matrix, 1967
It's A Deal - Live at The Matrix, 1967
6,607 2:11 2012-10-01
Farewell Song (Live at the Avalon Ballroom)
Farewell Song (Live at the Avalon Ballroom)
6,421 5:42 2022-10-22
Light Is a faster Than Sound - Live at The Matrix, 1967
Light Is a faster Than Sound - Live at The Matrix, 1967
6,080 6:27 2012-10-01
Blindman - Live [Remastered]
Blindman - Live [Remastered]
5,867 4:55 2018-08-03
Piece Of My Heart
Piece Of My Heart
5,804 4:35 2019-03-08
Women Is Losers
Women Is Losers
5,720 4:53 2006-01-01
Be a Brother
Be a Brother
5,667 3:02 1970-10-01
Nu Boogaloo Jam
Nu Boogaloo Jam
5,285 3:23 1971-07-21
Coo-Coo - Live at California Hall, 1966
Coo-Coo - Live at California Hall, 1966
5,282 2:30 2012-10-01
Oh! My Soul - Live at California Hall, 1966
Oh! My Soul - Live at California Hall, 1966
5,224 2:34 2012-10-01
Gutra's Garden - Live at California Hall, 1966
Gutra's Garden - Live at California Hall, 1966
5,215 4:37 2012-10-01
Maui
Maui
4,953 3:25 1971-07-21
House On Fire
House On Fire
4,949 5:24 1971-07-21
Women is Losers
Women is Losers
4,928 4:40 2019-03-08
Women Is Losers - Live at California Hall, 1966
Women Is Losers - Live at California Hall, 1966
4,880 3:48 2012-10-01
Road Block (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
Road Block (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
4,543 6:12 1967-01-01
Harry - Live at California Hall, 1966
Harry - Live at California Hall, 1966
4,515 0:34 2012-10-01
Combination of the Two (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Sunday, 6/18/1967)
Combination of the Two (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Sunday, 6/18/1967)
4,497 6:05 1967-01-01
Women is Losers - Live [Remastered]
Women is Losers - Live [Remastered]
4,299 4:54 2018-08-03
Buried Alive In the Blues
Buried Alive In the Blues
4,058 3:57 1971-07-21
Harry (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
Harry (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Saturday, 6/17/1967)
3,630 0:39 1967-01-01
Ball and Chain
Ball and Chain
2,615 8:05 2020-12-09
Try
Try
2,496 4:06 2022-02-17
Harry (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Sunday, 6/18/1967)
Harry (Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival, Sunday, 6/18/1967)
1,777 0:47 1967-01-01
NuBoogaloo Jam live at CoCo Blues - live at CoCo Blues
NuBoogaloo Jam live at CoCo Blues - live at CoCo Blues
< 1000 3:57 2022-02-16
Don't You Call Me Cryin'
Don't You Call Me Cryin'
< 1000 4:34 2020-10-11
I Know
I Know
< 1000 3:04 2020-10-11
Janis Blues Shuffle
Janis Blues Shuffle
< 1000 6:59 2020-10-11
Machine Song
Machine Song
< 1000 6:13 2020-10-11
Downtown Nowhere
Downtown Nowhere
< 1000 4:27 2020-10-11

New releases

Live at the Grande Ballroom Detroit; March 2, 1968
Live at the Grande Ballroom Detroit; March 2, 1968
2025-01-17
[Columbia/Legacy]
Blow My Mind
Blow My Mind
2023-06-02
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Hey Baby
Hey Baby
2023-02-12
[Cheap Thrills Records]
As The Years Go Passing By
As The Years Go Passing By
2022-12-07
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Somebody's Knockin' On My Door
Somebody's Knockin' On My Door
2022-10-22
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Farewell Song (Live at the Avalon Ballroom)
Farewell Song (Live at the Avalon Ballroom)
2022-10-22
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Bo's Bio
Bo's Bio
2022-09-16
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Why Live at Fillmore East
Why Live at Fillmore East
2022-05-07
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Do What You Love
Do What You Love
2022-02-19
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Try
Try
2022-02-17
[Cheap Thrills Records]
NuBoogaloo Jam live at CoCo Blues
NuBoogaloo Jam live at CoCo Blues
2022-02-16
[Cheap Thrills Records]
To Love Somebody
To Love Somebody
2022-02-14
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Catch Me Daddy
Catch Me Daddy
2022-02-12
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Women
Women
2022-01-07
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Down On Me Matrix
Down On Me Matrix
2021-12-10
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Intruder Live
Intruder Live
2021-12-10
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Whisperman
Whisperman
2021-11-17
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Freedom
Freedom
2021-11-17
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Down On Me
Down On Me
2021-11-17
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Hall Of The Mountain King
Hall Of The Mountain King
2021-11-11
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Misery'n
Misery'n
2021-10-25
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Piece Of My Heart (earliest live)
Piece Of My Heart (earliest live)
2021-08-03
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Hold Me.
Hold Me.
2021-04-06
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Prayer For You
Prayer For You
2021-03-28
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Call On Me
Call On Me
2021-01-01
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Hold Me
Hold Me
2021-01-01
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Turtle Blues
Turtle Blues
2021-01-01
[Cheap Thrills Records]
It's Cool
It's Cool
2021-01-01
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Women Is Losers
Women Is Losers
2020-12-16
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Try It
Try It
2020-12-16
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Tired Of It All
Tired Of It All
2020-12-16
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Take Off
Take Off
2020-12-16
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Save Your Love
Save Your Love
2020-12-16
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Heartache
Heartache
2020-12-16
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Ball and Chain
Ball and Chain
2020-12-09
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Ultimate Ball & Chain
Ultimate Ball & Chain
2020-11-24
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Drivin' Stupid
Drivin' Stupid
2020-11-13
[Cheap Thrills Records]
I Know You Rider
I Know You Rider
2020-11-13
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Women Is Losers
Women Is Losers
2020-10-20
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Don't You Call Me Cryin'
Don't You Call Me Cryin'
2020-10-11
[Cheap Thrills Records]
I Know
I Know
2020-10-11
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Janis Blues Shuffle
Janis Blues Shuffle
2020-10-11
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Machine Song
Machine Song
2020-10-11
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Downtown Nowhere
Downtown Nowhere
2020-10-11
[Cheap Thrills Records]
Supper On River Rhine
Supper On River Rhine
2019-03-08
[SIREENA RECORDS]
Sex, Dope & Cheap Thrills
Sex, Dope & Cheap Thrills
2018-11-30
[Columbia/Legacy]
Hold Me (Remastered)
Hold Me (Remastered)
2018-08-03
[Global Recording Artists]
Live In The Lowlands
Live In The Lowlands
2017-09-19
[Blues Company]
Do What You Love
Do What You Love
2016-04-01
[Classic Music Vault]
Joseph's Coat
Joseph's Coat
2016-04-01
[Classic Music Vault]
Ball & Chain
Ball & Chain
2012-10-01
[Charly]
Live At The Carousel Ballroom 1968
Live At The Carousel Ballroom 1968
2012-03-13
[Columbia/Legacy]
Live In London
Live In London
2010-06-21
[Carinco]
Hold Me - Live in Germany
Hold Me - Live in Germany
2006-01-01
[DIG Music]
How Hard It Is
How Hard It Is
1971-07-21
[Columbia/Legacy]
Be a Brother
Be a Brother
1970-10-01
[Columbia/Legacy]
Janis Joplin Live At Winterland '68
Janis Joplin Live At Winterland '68
1968-08-12
[Columbia/Legacy]
Cheap Thrills
Cheap Thrills
1968-08-12
[Columbia/Legacy]
Big Brother & The Holding Company
Big Brother & The Holding Company
1967-01-01
[Columbia/Legacy]
Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival
Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival
1967-01-01
[The Monterey International Pop Festival Foundation]