My friends Russ, Tim and myself ,Joe Capone , hitchhiked from Niagara Falls ,
New York to Newport thinking we were going to see Dylan , on hunch of false
rumor. Finally arriving at festival around mid afternoon Friday , we along with
hundreds of others partied into the night. Sleeping in the grass close by . As
we were led in for concert we got choice seats about eight rows from stage near
right center . I sat on last seat of row. Remember Baez , Bickell and a few
acts Rambiln Jack Elliot and some jugband . Then B. B . King came on and we were
thrilled, about midway through set audience started a chorus of we want Big
Brother. We want Janis , We want Janis. As 17 and 18 year old guys we had no
clue what was going on ? Thinking of rudeness to Mr. King we just weren't raised
that way. As B. B. And mates left stage a giant roar was heard and all hell
traveled through the audience . This incredible energy brushing me as she went
by ,jumps on stage and I'm literally mesmerized. It's JANIS ... It was love at
first sight, holy cow. Whatever anyone says about Joplin she was 100 pounds of
sexual energy. She takes a swig of her whiskey, and starts off with ",Piece of
my heart. " Are you kidding me , no way that tiny girl can make that sound. But
she does... and so so much more. Nearing 50 years ago its still indelibly etched
in my soul and mind. When she gets to "Summertime ", 10,000 guys and gals are
ready to follow this aura back to California. Folk say hello Rock . Her voice
sounds like syrup mixed with a fast current. Janis Joplin can shake the blues
out of a stone. As she encores " Like a Ball and Chain ,"it's very dark and
close to midnight and this sea of people are bonded. Long live Janis is the
roar... I was lucky to see her five more times before she passed into her
metamorphosis of love. Best, Joe Capone...
