On the Road with Janis Joplin

By: John Byrne Cooke

Narrated by: John Byrne Cooke

As a road manager and filmmaker, he helped run the Janis Joplin show—and record it for posterity. Now he reveals the never-before-told story of his years with the young woman from Port Arthur who would become the first female rock and roll superstar—and depart the stage too soon.

In 1967, as the new sound of rock and roll was taking over popular music, John Byrne Cooke was at the center of it all. As a member of D.A. Pennebaker’s film crew, he witnessed the astonishing breakout performances of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival that June. Less than six months later, he was on a plane to San Francisco, taking a job as road manager for Janis and her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. From then on, Cooke was Joplin’s road manager amid a rotating cast of musicians and personnel, a constant presence behind the scenes as the woman called Pearl took the world by storm.

Cooke was there when Janis made the difficult decision to leave Big Brother and form a new band. He was with her when the Kozmic Blues Band toured Europe in the spring of 1969, when they performed at Woodstock in August, and when Janis and Full Tilt Boogie took their famous Festival Express train trip across Canada. He accompanied Janis to her friend and mentor Ken Threadgill’s 70th birthday party, and was at her side when she attended her tenth high school reunion in Port Arthur, Texas.

This intimate memoir spans the years he spent with Janis, from her legendary rise to her tragic last days. Cooke tells the whole incredible story as only someone who lived it could.

©2014 John Byrne Cooke (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The story of the woman who skyrocketed to fame as the first female rock superstar and left it at a tragically young age - from someone who had a front-row seat.”(New York Post)

"Janis Joplin was absolutely a barnstormer and a complete groundbreaker. She wasn't just a great woman in rock - at the time she was the woman in rock. Janis really created this whole world of possibility for women in music: Without Janis Joplin, there would be no Melissa Etheridge. Without Janis, there would be no Chrissie Hynde, no Gwen Stefani. There would be no one." (Rosanne Cash)

“[Cooke] is a gifted writer, letting Joplin’s vivaciousness and intensity shine throughout the work.” (Library Journal)

Janis, Queen of Rock n Roll

I ENJOYED THE BOOK,, IT SEEMED PRETTY FACTUAL THE NARRATOR COULD HAVE PUT SOME MORE EMOTION INTO H

Gutwrenching

Known all my life how this story ends... Still hit me like a ton of bricks.
What a ride man... What a great fucking ride...
Rock on Pearl...

Janis Joplin & John Cooke (a winning team)

Having produced several shows with Big Brother & the Holding Company (2008 and 2010) and getting to know the band personally, I really enjoyed this book. It answered numerous questions and gave me a great insight into this legendary woman. I enjoyed listening to the book so much so that I was disappointed when the story ended with Janis's death.....it could have just as easily continued following the life of road manager/author/narrator John Cooke's and I would have been happy.

A well written Account of a Tragic Soul

I got to see Her perform live several times so I was very interested to read her story. The account of her life Starts with the intro to many famous names and how she mixed into their lives. It was a great read.

phenomenal biography of Janice

loved it. a story well written by someone closest to her. I found this very difficult to put down. one of those books that really take you back to the place and time. well written. it was worth every penny.

Must Read for fans

I wasn't really sure if I was going to like it at first. but I loved it. it's a great story it's told with respect and I think Janis would have approved.

this book was not about Janice all about John.

well if you think this book is going to be about Janice very little of it is. this dude John is all about me he starts to talk about Janice for maybe 2 minutes and a chapter each chapter then he starts talking about himself and what he did and.these guys always feel so left out what was me I'm important no the stars are the singers the band That's how all these guys feel so he wrote a book about himself it sucked I thought I was going to hear about Janice he talked about her for a couple minutes then he moves on to talk about his precious little self so don't get this book if you want to learn anything about Janice pass this book up. he want a good book and know about the person themselves David Bowie's book, Buddy Guy's book, Peter Grant's book That's a real good one about led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan's book,, red hot chili peppers,. so save your money or your credit and get one of those if you want some good listening But this shit if I had the actual book I would throw it in the fire,...