The year 1968 marked a pivotal turning point in Janis Joplin’s career. By early December, the dynamic vocalist made the decisive move to depart from Big Brother and the Holding Company, setting her sights on a new musical direction. This ambition quickly materialized with the formation of the Kozmic Blues Band by the end of 1968.
This new ensemble represented a significant shift in Joplin’s sound, embracing a “soul revue” style complete with a robust horn section. Their debut performance, delving into soul music, took place in late December in Memphis, Tennessee. While the band’s initial performances at the Fillmore East in February 1969 garnered mixed reviews, it was clear that Joplin and her new band were rapidly gaining traction elsewhere.
March 1969 proved to be a month of significant exposure for Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band. They made a notable television appearance on CBS’s 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace, showcasing their evolving sound to a national audience. This was followed by a Rolling Stone cover story that same month, which famously posed the intriguing question: “Janis: The Judy Garland of Rock?” Further solidifying their mainstream presence, Joplin and her band also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in March. Following these high-profile engagements, the band returned to their roots in San Francisco, gracing the stages of Winterland and The Fillmore West. This period marked a crucial phase in Joplin’s journey, as she explored new musical territories and solidified her status as a singular force in the music world.
Watch the performance of Joplin and the Kosmic Blues Band that appeared on the storied Ed Sullivan Show (March 16, 1969) where they performed “Raise Your Hand” and “Maybe.” Much like her iconic entries on Cheap Thrills, her song selection on Sullivan consisted of covers that Janis infused with her own electricity and soul.
