Laura Joplin and Michael Joplin by the plaque [Normski Photography]

ROCK legend Janis Joplin was immortalised in Camden High Street today as a new stone was added to the Music Walk of Fame.

Described as “a beacon of feminine defiance”, tributes were paid to the singer songwriter by industry icons and Janis’s family on a boiling day on the red carpet outside venue Electric Ballroom. 

Ms Joplin’s younger brother Michael Joplin told the audience that he was “beyond proud” to have his sister added to the Music Walk of Fame, which is a “really freaking cool thing”.

He recalled how his sister wrote long letters home, which “continued all through her bad years and good years and well into her fame” until she died at age 27. The letters often included “elaborate anecdotes and small drawings” to illustrate something, and later press clippings and gig posters.

Yesterday, Mr Joplin walked around the Royal Albert Hall, the only venue Ms Joplin performed at in the UK throughout her short-lived career. 

He said: “I was standing there on the steps remembering one of the letters that she had written home about selling out the Royal Albert Hall and how proud she was.

“I was standing on the stairs and I can still feel her glee and pride. And I really enjoyed that. It was a wonderful moment, and I had a very deep smile when I walked away from that.”

Her sister, Laura Joplin, told the New Journal her lasting influence was inspiring women to be themselves. She said: “She let women and men know that women can do what they want to do. I think she’s one of the people that opened doors. She let her grief be felt.

“One of the things I treasure is she let me be me. But she also shared herself. If I wanted to learn something, she helped me. I remember wanting to play guitar and she gave me a guitar and listened to my childhood voice and didn’t laugh.”

Janis Joplin

Mr Joplin agreed that people are still drawn to the raw honesty of her lyrics. He added: “That was a kind of a new concept in the 60s, especially for women to be assertive and outspoken. And our mother was like that as well. So she learned to just speak her mind, through her pains, through her joys, and go ahead and say it.”

Founder of the annual event, Lee Bennett, said honouring the Piece Of My Heart singer in the trail was a “no-brainer”.

Mr Bennett said: “Camden really is the perfect place for Janis to be seen by so many as Camden’s spirit is synonymous with hers. You can still hear music everywhere you go in the world. What a voice. What a catalogue of iconic tracks. God only knows what level she would have risen to.”

Camden Town’s ‘zombie punk’ saw music promoter Harvey Goldsmith unveil his plaque

Launched in 2019, the Music Walk Of Fame unveils Hollywood-style “Award Stones”, which come to life with augmented reality, to pioneering global musicians studded into the pavement.

Ms Joplin, the first American artist on the Music Walk of Fame, joins legends including David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and The Who.

This year’s recipients are Harvey Goldsmith, UB40, Gordon Mac (Founder Of Kiss FM), Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson, The Sugarhill Gang, Eddy Grant, Buzzcocks, Billy Bragg, Shalamar and The Kinks.

This weekend the free Camden Music Festival launches on the final day of the stone unveilings (September 9).