Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing

Drawing on personal letters, interviews with friends and bandmates, and extensive original research, this acclaimed biography offers an intimate and unforgettable portrait of Janis Joplin—one of the most influential voices in rock-and-roll history.

With an introduction by former bandmate Sam Andrew and more than sixty photographs, Ann Angel's award-winning biography goes beyond the myths to reveal the complex woman behind the music, from her difficult adolescence in Port Arthur, Texas, to her rise as one of the most recognizable performers of her era. 

More than fifty years after her death, Janis Joplin remains a cultural icon whose influence can still be heard. Angel traces Joplin's journey from an unconventional outsider to a fearless performer whose powerful voice helped redefine what women could achieve in the music industry. 

Through vivid storytelling and firsthand accounts, readers gain insight into Joplin's creativity, ambition, and lifelong search for acceptance. Angel presents a nuanced portrait of an artist whose extraordinary talent was matched by her vulnerability, determination, and desire to connect through music.

Filled with fascinating stories from Joplin's life and career, this compelling biography brings her world vividly to life, from her early love of the blues and her years with Big Brother and the Holding Company to the performances that made her a legend.

Winner of the American Library Association's YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction and recipient of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award and the Council for Wisconsin Writers Nonfiction Book Award, Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing has been widely recognized for its outstanding nonfiction storytelling.

Perfect for young adults, music lovers, and anyone interested in the history of rock-and-roll, Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing offers an inspiring and deeply human portrait of an artist whose voice—and legacy—continue to resonate today.