Living with the myth of Janis Joplin

Big Brother & the Holding Co. 1965-2008

English Translation by Michael Spörke and Sam Andrew

"Big Brother and the Holding Company was a prime example of a band where the chemistry was right, where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. You cannot buy or manufacture the natural feeling that was in that band. Big Brother played from the heart and soul with the goal of achieving a direct connection with the innermost feelings of the audience." - Sam Andrew

“I read from cover to cover your wonderful book. I couldn't put it down. You did a masterful job. I really became immersed in your book." Robert Altmann (Chief-photographer for Rolling Stone magazine. A leader in embracing digital photography, his recent work appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Mojo, The New York Times, People, San Francisco Chronicle, and San Francisco Examiner.)

“Although the author was born after Big Brother and the Holding Company had splintered and its most famous member, Janis Joplin, had died, the affection that Michael Spoerke has for the band and the San Francisco counterculture from whence it emerged has fueled a tremendous project.  Interviewing a host of participants and with full cooperation of the band's gentlemen, he has written a detailed, well-researched, sympathetic and well-reasoned account.  It covers the entire history, from the formative years of the members to the band's inception, evolution, stardom, tribulations, disintegration, and reformation, all the way to the present.”  Craig Morrison (Canadian ethnomusicologist and author of American Popular Music: Rock and Roll)

"Though written in German, this is the only existing work on this seminal band, covering in depth their history before, during and after Janis Joplin, with lots of illustrations and photos. Based on countless interviews and the full cooperation of all surviving band members, and written by a longtime music expert.” Greg Shaw † (Founder of the  Mojo-Navigator magazine, www.bomp.com)

“Linguistically outstanding, Spoerke describes the atmosphere of the Sixties and the disillusionment of the following time. Many hitherto unknown facts are made accessible for the reader, numerous photos, a complete discography and a concert chronology reveal everything about the band. Spoerke’s publication is a highlight on the German book market.” Allen Tepper (Rockmagazine Eclipsed, Germany)

“About Janis Joplin one wrote much, about her band nearly nothing! The author has investigated in detail Joplin’s band, which still tours today, and the individual members. Thus the reader receives a comprehensive view in the musical working of a band, one usually considered slight due to the strong personality of its singer. Also interesting and important is the appendix with a band family tree, a discography (including the solo works of the individual band members) and a concert chronology. The book is an important addition of the literature about psychedelic West Coast music and the evolution of Rhythm 'n' Blues.” Peter Seeger (Musicmagazine Goodtimes, Germany)

“Here someone was really hard-working and made his mark.  A biography of a band, which, at least to us, always meant the former backup band of Janis Joplin. Michael Spoerke investigated and noted the period 1963 to 2003. The author never leaves the solo paths of the individual fellow combatants out of his sight. The book’s enormous and extensive appendix is to be emphasized, not only for its detailed discography, but also and above all, its concert chronology.” Norbert Striemann (Musicmagazine Discover, Germany)