The rock and roll legend will be remembered for her timeless hits including ‘Piece Of My Heart’, ‘Ball and Chain’ and her final release ‘Mercedes Benz’. Today marks five decades on from her death at the age of 27, from an accidental heroin overdose in her Los Angeles hotel room. The singer, who remains one of the US’ top selling musicians, received a number of posthumous accolades including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and ranked on a number of ‘most influential musician’ lists.
Joplin, who was born in Hollywood, gave her final interview on ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ two months before her untimely death in 1970.
The singer seemed excitable as she gave animated responses, while dressed in a purple, sparkly waistcoat with matching bottoms, bead necklaces and with dark green and pink stripes in her hair.
On the show, Mr Cavett asked whether she had witnessed any riots or reckless behaviour at her concerts.
Joplin replied: “Well none of the shows I’ve ever played in have had any trouble, save one in Philadelphia where a cop clobbed a girl for trying to kiss me and I didn’t dig it.
“The girl just wanted to say ‘Hi’, I love you’, and a cop went (mimes hitting) bang and threw her out the way.
Despite the luxury savoured by those in the back, Joplin admitted she always preferred to sit in the front seat before she burst into hysterical laughter.
She said: “When you ride in a limousine you’re supposed to lay back in the backseat and I always sit in the front seat so I can look at everybody.”
Even though the star was in the passenger seat – meaning the public could see her when they stopped at traffic lights – she claimed they never experienced any trouble.
Joplin said: “He’s a very good driver. They are all afraid of him on the street. Nobody yells at us, I’d call that pretty good.”
After a brief moment of fun, where the singer tried on a pair of glasses with large circular lenses tinted purple, she revealed that she didn’t enjoy giving interviews.
Joplin said she disliked “having to do them” when she didn’t “feel like it” and at times she felt misunderstood.
“[You can be] talking to someone who doesn’t seem to understand what you’re saying and consequently the words coming out a little stranger than you meant them.”