Janis Joplin idolized this legendary singer, whose talent and style inspired her iconic voice and legendary rock career.

On this day in 1970, Janis Joplin began recording what would become her calling card and a piece of integral music history.

If sandpaper and soul met a rose and birthed a child, that child would probably sound something like Janis Joplin. Joplin sang from the soul and with a voice hewn as if from sandpaper. And she lived a ...