A Piece Of My Heart was originally written and recorded in 1967, but it wasn’t a mainstream hit until Big Brother And The Holding Company (featuring Janis Joplin) covered it in 1968.
Though many artists have covered this number , ‘A Piece Of My Heart’ has become synonymous with Janis Joplin and clearly ranks as one of her most memorable and loved songs.
~Source: Storm Darkspider
Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter who sang rock, soul and blues music. One of the most successful and widely known rock stars of her era, she was noted for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and "electric" stage presence.
Janis Joplin died of an accidental heroin overdose in 1970 aged 27, after releasing three albums (two with Big Brother, and one solo album). A second solo album, Pearl, was released in January 1971, just over three months after her death. It reached number one on the Billboard charts.
Janis was cremated at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles, and her ashes were scattered from a plane into the Pacific Ocean.
~Source: Wikipedia
