Grave News
Janis Joplin, a self-proclaimed disciple of the blues, was deeply influenced by the Empress of Blues, Bessie Smith, who reigned supreme in the jazz era of the 1920s and ‘30s. Discovering that Bessie was resting in an unmarked grave, Janis, along with Juanita Green, a Smith family employee, felt compelled to rectify this. They shared the cost of a headstone, providing a beacon for fans to finally pay homage to the legendary Bessie Smith.
On a balmy August 8th, 1970, amidst a flurry of whispers about her mysterious involvement in Smith’s new gravestone, the electrifying Janis took to the stage at the iconic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. It was here, under the spotlight’s glare, that her soulful voice first unveiled “Mercedes Benz” in public, marking a memorable moment in her musical journey.