Janis Joplin - Ball and Chain (REACTION)

[@JohnCregoWorldMusic]

The woman sitting and watching in awe is Mama Cass from The Mamas And Papas. Another great singer in her own right. Not bluesy like Janis but wow what a voice. Check her out when you can.

[@AirplayBeats]

Thank you for that. I’m looking her up right now!!

[@JohnCregoWorldMusic]

@@AirplayBeats No problem. Glad to see people keeping the stuff I grew up with alive. Of course, good music never really dies.

[@samuelmregister]

@@AirplayBeats huge star in her day, and one of the event organizers.

[@57drdlk]

The Mamas And Papas helped pull together the Monterey Pop Festival which Janis was performing at here. She was one of 3 performers who got a big boost from this festival, the other two were Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding.

[@donbelenger817]

@@AirplayBeats also if you look to her right the man in all white is the late great Jimi Hendrix!

[@marlaroseman4914]

Big Mama Thornton wrote "Ball & Chain". Janis was a huge fan. I believe this was her first big break at a highly respected music show As far as people in the audience not jumping around, either you were mesmerized or high . People actually sat and listened to the artists in those days.

[@rhondaocallaghan4413]

Her idol was Bessie Smith, when she found that Bessie had an unmarked grave, she paid for a headstone for her idol, we lost her too soon.R.I.P Janis Joplin ❤️🦋🦋🦋🦋🦘🦘🦘🦘Love from Australia

[@joeyricefried9621]

I wish real artists like this still existed.

[@robertdawson8522]

She was a huge fan of Bessie Smith.When Janis found out Bessie was buried without a headstone she stepped up and made that happen

[@kathyallsworth506]

No one compares to her. A once in a century voice. RIP❤

[@sheila1965troubles]

NO ONE EVER touched Janis, EVER. Not since, never will. She was one of a kind. Goose bumps every.single.damn.time I hear her sing and I've been digging her for 41 years. RIP Janis 💔

[@user-vv9it9ye4g]

Every time!

[@michaelteague7260]

Mesmerized ✌️ And have never heard another artist like her🎼🦋

[@827dusty]

That woman the camera paused on, was the great in her own right, Cass Elliott of The Mamas and The Papas Folk Rock Group of the same era. Talk about two of the most powerful voices in that era. You could see the admiration in Cass Elliott's eyes, as she watched her friend bring down the house.

[@sheila1965troubles]

And she, along with every single other person there, was on some POWERFUL Owlsley acid, lol.

[@tooldforthis68]

including the band members - @@sheila1965troubles

[@billpeters9999]

Cass also helped produce this concert, she also had Crosby, Stills and Nash at a party at her house and told them they should form a band. The rest is history

[@jeffmcdonald4225]

No one had ever seen anything like it and, sadly, we never will again.

[@scotttrainer9704]

She was a star, watching the future take over.

[@dennystewart3238]

There has not been, and there never will be another Janis.

[@bluesky-rb8fn]

To much soul for this world!!!!❤🙏🌻🛸🌈💕🌹👍☝️

[@elenapatrick8116]

That lady in the audience was Mama Cass Elliott. She was popular the same time with Janice Joplin. The reason why she looked like that and nobody was moving is that had never seen anything like Janice before and didn’t know what to make of her, but at the same time we’re amazed by how great she was.

[@elijahFree2000]

In the final seconds you see an older guy clapping, wearing a white sweater. Was Clive Davis of CBS Records. Minutes later he offered her a record contract. The rest is history.

[@ianrosie4431]

Yep, that was one of the recognised great singers of the time, Mama Cass, with her jaw on the floor.

[@juliemanarin4127]

She was amazing!! That woman is Mama Cass Elliott from The Mamas And The Papas! Famous.

[@luieloo6612]

There was nobody like her when she came along 🤩 JANIS JOPLIN 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jennymujica1937]

Nobody…Nobody…I mean NOBODY compares with this treasure we lost way too soon!

[@struthsayer9092]

I heard it said that this was the first meeting between Southern California music and Northern California music. Mamma Cass (the woman in the audience) was Southern California and this was the performance that showed them that there was valid music coming out of San Francisco. The audience was in shock. They had never seen anyone like Janis before.

[@jessietucker9342]

Mama Cass of the Mamas & Poppas was the woman in the crowd, that was Ms Janis Joplin's introduction to the public! Amazing!!!

[@EastPeakSlim]

Janis was a force of nature. I was fortunate to see her perform with the Kozmic Blues Band at Winterland in 1968.

[@finallythere100]

Anyone know who that Bass player is? He looks like he was acid tripping...

[@EastPeakSlim]

@@finallythere100 Peter Albin

[@finallythere100]

@@EastPeakSlim - TY, Now I have to see what became of him.

[@holysmokes5817]

"This is the calm before the storm, she's about to go crazy." lol...Exactly my friend. What a performance. Damn it. Makes me think ~ Billie Holiday. Cheer! 🍄🌲🍄✨💥🌈

[@susannpatton2893]

Janis was a blazing comet 🌟 that shown brilliant and bright as she graced us with her talent for the short while she lived, that we were gifted.

[@shannonotoole3526]

the fucking 27 club sucks

[@todwest]

This is originally a Big Momma Thornton song. It has all the hallmarks of a traditional blues tune: the 12-bar structure, the late 19th/early 20th century tropes, etc. There are a bunch of great performances on the Monterey Pop discs. Otis Redding, Hendrix, the Animals, and Jefferson Airplane stand out. This concert was really the first time JJ was exposed to a wider audience (she was well known in the SF club scene) and she became a national phenomenon after this, and it's also Ravi Shankar and Alla Rakha's intro to the West. Stunning performance by those two. The boxed set is worth picking up. It has a lot of great stuff that didn't make the Pennebaker film.

[@finallythere100]

Saw maybe her last performance in Monteal in 1984. She belted out songs, looked like skeleton , doing shots and smoking before show in tiny Jazz club. We thought could that be her. Astonishing performance. 2 weeks later we read in TIMe Mag that she died. ...

[@sarahgarner5425]

@@finallythere100 janis wasn't alive in 1984.

[@finallythere100]

@@sarahgarner5425 ooh, I must hav been up lat that night! I was referring to Big Mama Thornton! LOL!!!

[@tovenrvik6336]

The Blues singer Bessie Smith was her role model, Ball and Chain is a song Big Mama Thornton used to sing ‼️Goose bumps again, I have 7 Albums of her, she was my youths obsession ‼️She hits us so hard bcs she's the real shit ‼️Thanks for sharing, I ❤️to see your reaction to her music ‼️🎯JazzyT.

[@deniseg812]

I heard an old musician once say, the blues gave birth to a baby and they called it rock and roll.

[@tmcgrenere]

She introduced me to soul!!

[@Chris-kj7de]

Back in the day people used to sit in their seats and listen to performers. They might get a standing ovation at the end, but that's it.

[@warrenhughes911]

Great reaction.. Janis..Queen of the Blues..

[@deborahhalbert3372]

People used to actually sit & listen. That’s why they’re not moving. Also Mama Cass Elliot was just as much an epic singer as Janis. Just different styles.

[@greeneyedsoutherngirl6468]

The people in that audience were in the palm of her hand-they never heard anything like Janis before….she sang and you FELT IT. I feel it through the screen. I got goosebumps about 50 times listening to this, plus tears welled up in my eyes. She is a legend. ♥️ You boys have killer taste in music! I love her, I love the great Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Stevie Ray Vaughan; I jump around genres but I love the greats!

[@CynthiaEllerington-uu2nh]

Most beautiful soul

[@ginafragata2947]

Yes amazing Janis ❤

[@Prone2Thrill]

IMO her studio version of Summertime is the pinnacle of passion. It's a mic drop song - Joe Cocker is the male passionate version of JJ. Janis was drinking in my favorite bar an hour before she died / Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood - which also has a barstool that was Jim Morrisons regular stool

[@happymethehappyone8300]

The Monterey Pop Festival Was The Start Of It All For Janis,, Jimi Hendrix & Others.

[@sandyleewhite]

Janis wore her soul like a blanket trying to protect her from pain, hurt, anger, & even love! This woman was one of a kind, & sadly missed by everyone who loved & understood her music ❤ 💚 💙 She truly was a gift that was only with us for a short time, but what a glorious time it was!!! Thank you for such a thoughtful reaction, & I hope you continue to discover her music, you won't be disappointed ❤ 💚 💙 I highly recommend, Summertime & Cry Baby!!!

[@LIZARDME7]

I think it was Etta James who called her the greatest blues singer she ever heard

[@moniqueleroux2198]

Beth Hart. If you don't know her you've got to check her out. Anything live.

[@sylviafarese8837]

That’s quite a compliment coming from Etta.

[@WhizzingFish12]

​@moniqueleroux2198 Beth is awesome too but Janis is singular.

[@lacm64]

​@moniqueleroux2198 Beth is great, but she's got nothing on Janis.

[@dougca7086]

This is Janis Joplin's first big appearance shortly before her first album was released and people didn't know what to expect they just heard stories remember there was no internet react to her live at Woodstock

[@56music64]

Janis not here for a long time, just here for a good time. She gave us a good time for a short time that was for sure. Never another like her since. RIP Janis I hope you know how good you were

[@moonstone1159]

Janis was one of a kind! Mama Cass was one of the organizers of the Monterey Pop Festival and was also the doyenne of the Laurel Canyon music scene at the time.

[@jobydogwhisperer4163]

Best female singer I have ever seen.

[@PoubelleKansas]

Janis wasn't a "star" at this point. She was known to many but this performance -- this festival -- sent her into the public eye. From this time until she died, she was front and center. Just an amazing performer with a heartbreaking voice.

[@rosesilveira344]

As a teenager in East Texas she & friends would sneak to Louisiana Black bars to listen to Blues. Blues was her passion. She was called a N*word lover. Like Elvis both were influenced by the Black music culture. One in a trillion. Happy Birthday Miss Janis! You are severely missed. RIP.

[@Blisteryn]

Straight blues and it is, Janis got the blues.

[@ericskivers6643]

Every time I watch this I have the same reaction; complete awe , sadness and gratitude that they filmed this . I wish she could have known what a special artist and person she was before she passed , and how. Much she was loved . She never felt that . RIP beautiful woman

[@adriancolon8435]

Nobody has or will ever sound like her. That woman was a phenomenon. This was her 2nd time performing the song that day. Janis was unknown then so her first performance wasn’t recorded. After she killed it they asked her to perform again so they could capture it. Glad they did that.

[@dangabbert3944]

Audiences, up until the late Sixties, usually remained seated and quiet, until the song ended. This performance is from The Monterey Pop Festival. It was one of the first, big music festivals, and still operated by the old standards. By Woodstock, a couple of years later, everything had changed. No more assigned seat, heck, no seats at all, just people more fully participating in the music, not just politely listening.

[@AirplayBeats]

Got it. Thanks for that information. It’s totally different now.

[@MsAppassionata]

Except at Beatles concerts. Lol. That was another story entirely.

[@mimiv3088]

Aretha Franklin reminds me of Janice also. The woman in the sunglasses sitting in awe is Mama Cass. From the Mama's and the Papa's. She was already a famous singer who has a awesome voice. And when Janice came on stage and sung her heart out, Cass knew how awesome Janice was singing her heart out. ❤

[@NondescriptMammal]

You can't get much more blues than this... it's as much blues as rock for sure

[@dustinsamson4879]

She was a true definition of real talent!!

[@SonofLiberty-zw7op]

Janis was a force. Glad to see you experience it....and marvel at it. Infused with the blues...authentic rock...all soul. Yes, yes, yes.

[@cookingartguy2170]

Very nice guys and as an old guy who loved Janis while she was still alive and still loves her, it really makes me happy to see younger people discovering her and being impressed with her magnificence. If you loved Janis, you must must check out this other person and these very two specific videos: Check out Beth Hart singing "Am I The One - Live at Paradiso" , and also Beth Hart singing "Caught out in the Rain at Albert Hall." It HAS to be those two specific live performances. If you were blown away by Janis, you will be just as blown away by Beth Hart because she is the only person who I could compare to Janis. She has to be seen to be believed.

[@jimschnebly1370]

Beth Hart is the Janis who didn't die young. The "Am I the One" at the Paradiso is a great entry. Her blues work with Joe Bonamassa, both live and studio videos are nother level blues

[@757optim]

Don't forget Beth and Joe Bonamassa - "I'd Rather Go blind".

[@feliciaecheverria]

Many have tried to be like Janis, but she was a one of kind artist. I knew back then when I was 8 years old and 57 years she has proved me right. Janis was beyond greatness, she was mesmerizing, spellbinding and so much more.

[@elsievickie]

Women in audience looking stunned is Mama Cass...Mama's and Papas band. Janis part of 27 club. Died at 27, she dated Jimmy Hendrix another 27 club...RIP Tom Jones and Janis have a duet..Raise your Hand, live on Tom Jones show...Great Performance... Janis was amazing....

[@GGLee315]

Tom Jones is still alive.

[@JACKPAVAL]

That lady that was " star struck " as you put it , was a Star!🙂

[@peterblack3665]

Her style cannot even be described because it’s simply so unique to Janis . Nobody else sounds like her ........or ever will impossible . This is probably the most emotional performance ever given......

[@peterrose1941]

Miss Mama Cass who is in awe right there. Another legend of her own. But damn Janis what you do. No wonder.

[@sarahgarner5425]

Festival in 1967. She became really famous after this performance. I still miss her. There'll never be anyone like her again. So beautiful in her soul.

[@daveguitarnowski4402]

Janis was one of a kind!

[@sherryecartwright1171]

This performance is what got her to contract

[@shannonotoole3526]

by clive davis. minutes after this. He was the guy in the white sweater at the end

[@catherinegroves5201]

She is my favorite of all time thank you for reacting!

[@susannpatton2893]

My dahlings, they was high as the clouds in the sky. ❤ it was the time of the season for hippies and free love and all that jazz

[@margiewilson4324]

The audience was stunned. None of them had heard her before.

[@brentfreeland5834]

This was the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, the Summer of Love. This show basically introduced Janice Joplin to the world. Previously she had been more of a San Francisco local musician. She is truly missed. ✌️

[@jaynehogue2459]

When Mama Cass is mesmerized you know you've gone places

[@ferdinandalexander8053]

Great reaction guys! JJ is the G.O.A.T. Check out Janis Joplin Work Me Lord Live in Stockholm 1969. It's in her top five performances. What's sick about it is that it is obviously the last song of a long set and she still totally kills it!!!!! Good luck!

[@Matthewpapin]

The person in the audience was none other than Mama Cass Elliott from the Mamas and the Papas… they made many records and then Mama Cass had her own tv show. So for her to be in awe is saying something. Both her and Janis died hound. RIP

[@bernadettesandoval3990]

Janis grew up in port arthur texas and told many interviewers back in the day that she spent most of her high school years skipping school in New Orleans getting her education.

[@rogerfrancoeur299]

This was actually her second time performing Ball and Chain at that concert. They didn't record the first performance because, the sponsors would agree to something , but after hearing her, they agreed and send her out again to film it .A historical performance .and concert. That concert brought her to national fame as it also did for Jimmy Hendricks ,that also played there. Sadly they both died about 2 weeks apart at the young age of 27 .in 1970 .

[@karenwalsh1143]

When you see the woman in the audience in awe of her.. that was Momma cass from the mommas and the poppers!!!!❤

[@sickturret3587]

she was about southern rock and blues mostly. you got it right there sir.

[@patprescott1818]

Goosebumps !!! am I right? She does a awesome duet with Tom Jones. Its called Raise your hand ✌❤ That's Mama Cas from The Mama's and Papas. Check them out too. They were all High it was the hippie Era 😏😁✌🇨🇦

[@terrylucaspoetrycoach4489]

OK! I just started listening to you guys--you're great! I went back and listened to your reaction to Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. I don't know if you look back at comments on previous posts---in case you don't here's what I said: Please react to the band "Heart" doing a cover of Stairway to Heaven at the Kennedy Center Honors (live) for and in the presence of Led Zeppelin. It will make you CRY! I promise! Thank you for all you do for music! :)

[@AirplayBeats]

Thank you so much!!

[@dianelake7802]

I don't know how I feel about this version. While sanctioned by Led Zeppelin, done in honor of the group, and frankly, Heart is one of the best groups of Rock I just have a hard time with anyone but, Zeppelin doing this song. I love Heart.. I love the Wilson sisters. The singing and the guitar are tops. They are a favorite of mine. But, I don't know if I will ever listen to that because Stairway is just so iconic to Zeppelin and feels wrong in anyone else's hands

[@jamosmcginty]

"She about to go crazy" . . . There aint a word for where JJ is about to go.

[@harrietmiller3982]

Yes Janis💙‼️🎶.This was at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival infamous for the break out groups and artists whose careers took off from this appearance. I grew up in that area and was 2 years out of high school when I attended. Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead and so many others became famous from this gig. I knew I had to be witnessing history because everything was unlike we had ever seen before. I got to see Janis 2 years later in San Francisco as well. A force of nature for sure. I saw Summertime being suggested and it is great. Another one would be Me and Bobby McGee a Kris Kristofferson song. I am a new sub when you started doing Stevie Ray. Janis is from Texas and she knew Stevie's older brother Jimmie and they hung out at gigs and parties. Small world...Great channel guys🙌👏

[@AirplayBeats]

Thank you. We are from Northern California as well.

[@harrietmiller3982]

@@AirplayBeats really that's great✌️ I meant to comment about your comparison to Tina Turner. I never put that together before but that's as close as you'll get‼️ I would have loved to see those kick-ass women jamming together. What a show that would be🎶💙

[@apadilla3268]

Janis brings out the vibes. Mama Cass taking notes.

[@Zulutime44]

Big Brother definitely had the San Francisco sound down pat. Lots of bass, traditional lyrics, a perfect backing for Janis Joplin. Classic

[@BST-lm4po]

Thank-you! Janis gets all the credit, but Big Brother was laying down a heavy blues base for her!

[@wkuntjoro6130]

great great great .... one of my top list

[@jacqueline4514]

My absolute favorite Janis Performance. This was my Mother’s music; grew up listening to SO much music.

[@robertsimmons1393]

World Music has it right. Mama Cass who was a singer in the band the Mamas and the Papas was the woman sitting in awe. This festival was really a big breakout for Janis Joplin. Some of these people had never heard of her before and were totally mesmerized. "Minds were blown that day". Depending on the group and the music type, many people back then would sit and enjoy the music to really take it in. A little note here. They almost didn't play that day because they didn't want to be Filmed Live. Janis said that she didn't want corporation greed getting ahold of it. She wanted to stay grassroots. That's why you won't find a lot of her stuff filmed from that day.

[@ladylisaromance8129]

Although she died before I was born, she's my favorite of all-time. You nailed it because she's incomparable... her voice and passion can't be duplicated. Great reaction, guys!

[@victorstefanovsky6902]

Nobody has done what she had. Unique , even 50 years later!

[@sharonhutton3805]

The lady with the glasses is Mama Cass.❤️

[@bwheeler1970VB]

I've watched quite a few reactions to this performance, your reaction was excellent. I was fortunate enough to see Janis in concert twice and it will always be my favorite.

[@rustbeltwriter]

I'm so lucky that I got to sing with this band, a once in a lifetime experience. RIP Sam.

[@christinawoolley6206]

I've been loving Janis Joplin since first hearing her in 5th grade! As a woman.....you are so right young men....she channels all women's blues 💙

[@karenwalsh1143]

JANIS WAS ALL ABOUT THE BLUES!

[@kimberlygrissom2315]

Nobody compares to Janis never have and never will

[@757optim]

This performance at the Monterey Pop Festival got Janice signed.

[@ConstantGardener-q9q]

This was when music was still a form of rebellion. Unfortunately, it was long ago captured by the “industry.” That’s why you rarely see these kinds of raw expressions of people’s souls

[@lynnhafferkamp6054]

BAM ❤️🤘🏼

[@michele6740]

That lady in audience, Momma Cass was admiration since friends and RESPECT!

[@madameclark3453]

Love me some Janis joplin

[@pauletteriddle3776]

Such a tiny little thing, with a voice from her old soul.

[@DianaMiceli-Billingsley-kj4ln]

This was the first time people actually saw Janis Joplin sing. The lady mesmerized is Mama Cass, and she was definitely mesmerized as everyone else was. Mama Cass performed at this concert also. Can you imagine trying to perform after Janis??

[@moniquelegarda1842]

Mamas and the Papas were actually one of the organizers of this event.

[@lindasnyder1729]

The audience didn't move because they didn't want to miss one second of observing genius.

[@roldo23]

"Ball And Chain" is an authentic Blues song written by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thorton. She also wrote "Hound Dog".

[@lilithofnod]

It's sad to me that no one recognizes Mama Cass anymore...but ya if you knew the twisted love story that went on behind the scenes of the Mamas and the Papas...you hit the nail on the head. She felt what Janis was singing. My mom was at that show and she told me that she was sobbing while Janis sang her story into the microphone.

[@johnfrank3177]

Hey Guys. So glad you're checking out Janis Joplin. Check out "Maybe" from her live performance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Also the audio version of "Piece of My Heart". You will see Janis has "the feeling" Peace.

[@AirplayBeats]

Thanks. Are there any albums of hers that we should check out or mainly the live performances?

[@johnfrank3177]

@@AirplayBeats Her first album was called "Cheap Thrills" when she was with a band called Big Brother and the Holding Company. The song I mentioned "Piece of My Heart" was from that album and that song introduced the world to Janis. (It blew my mind the first time I heard it!) The band had a raw garage band kind of sound which matched perfectly with her powerful voice. Janis moved on from that band later on because she wanted a larger band with horn players. She idolized people like Otis Redding and Aretha (I don't even have to say her last name, right?) and wanted to change her sound a bit. Of course, her live performances are great because she gives everything she has every time. Another great live one is her version of "To Love Somebody" performed live on the Dick Cavett Show. It was an old Bee Gees song that she completely reworked. Hope you enjoy these.

[@tovenrvik6336]

@@AirplayBeats There's a double album called Janis, music from her start on one of the Lp's , interview's wt Dick Cavett, between the songs, she's very high when she sings Summertime on the Album and have a hard time wt getting the words out‼️Janis in Concert has Ego Rock, where she sings wt a guy, that's one of my top 4‼️🎯JazzyT.

[@colleenmcclurg2010]

@@AirplayBeats the studio version of Ball and Chain is on Cheap Thrills, also. I don't think there is a live video of her version of Summertime, but it's also on this album, and she does a great job on it!

[@ninarice5279]

NO ONE WILL EVER BE AS GOOD AS JANICE!!