The Search for Authenticity

Most white girls between the ages of 12-17 goes through a few common phases. There is the vampire phase usually brought on by prolonged exposure to Anne Rice. Another literary phase is the V.C. Andrews phase where many girls discover dark, dangerous taboo sex for the first time. (Sofia Coppola's first film was a short called 'Lick the Star' based on a clique with an extreme love of V.C.'s work.) Most white girls also go through a folkie phase where they begin listening to James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Cat Stevens. Extra hip girls might also explore Nick Drake and Laura Nyro. The final phase is the one I want to focus on. It's the Janis Joplin phase.

To me, the Janis Joplin phase is the most interesting because it directly relates to the common white search for authenticity. The reason rap is purchased mainly by whites is that is poses as "real". Many whites feel they have no "real" to them. They are always looking for an experience to create a true self. Extreme sports are, to me, a manifestation of this. The reason rap/rock was so big for a time is that it helped whites add their own layer to a genre they coveted. Eminem is the ultimate distillation of this authenticity.

But, back to Janis Joplin. For many young white girls, she is as close to a soul sister as we are going to get. Her singing style is traditional. The screeching throws many off, but many of the female blues artists had a similar style. Joplin herself only listened to classic blues and jazz growing up. Her goal as an artist was to foster the blues in the 1960's. Check out Monterey Pop and see Otis blow the hippies minds while Janis nods and smiles. She already got it. For many, she became the bridge to the blues.

Every few years I check out my Janis CDs. I always feel like without her I never would have been inspired to check out Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Etta James, and many others. Janis helped me learn that the musical tree of rock has many roots.