Big Brother & The Holding Company

Iconic 1960s Psychedelic Rock Band

Big Brother & The Holding Company is an American rock band that was most active during the late 1960s and is best known for their association with lead singer Janis Joplin. Formed in San Francisco in 1965, the band was a part of the burgeoning psychedelic rock scene and quickly gained popularity with their raw, energetic musical style and Joplin's powerful vocals. Their self-titled debut album, "Big Brother & The Holding Company," was released in 1967, but it was their second album, "Cheap Thrills," released in 1968, that catapulted them to fame. "Cheap Thrills" was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard charts, largely due to Joplin's breakout performance and the hit single "Piece of My Heart." The band's live performances were highly regarded, capturing the spirit of the era, with "Live at Winterland '68" being a notable recording that showcased their onstage prowess. Despite their success, Janis Joplin left the band in late 1968 to pursue a solo career. Big Brother & The Holding Company continued to perform and record without her, but they never replicated the success they enjoyed with Joplin. The band has experienced various lineup changes and reunions over the years and remains an iconic example of the psychedelic rock movement of the 1960s.