"Piece of My Heart"~ Crystal Bowersox and her musical influences, Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge
by MS Chloe
American Idol Season 9 favorite Crystal Bowersox joins the pantheon of female rock legends singing "Piece of My Heart."
Here are two very different, but equally incredible versions of "Piece of My Heart" sung by Crystal Bowersox and one of her musical influences, Melissa Etheridge. You can hear Janis' legacy in Crystal's and Melissa's performance - a complete abandonment to the music, the moment and the audience. Janis let the women singers who followed her know that it is okay to loose yourself in the song and give your audience everything you've got - no holds barred!
Crystal Bowersox, who's been called "A New Artist With an Old Soul", and Frank May singing "Piece of My Heart" at The Village Idiot in Maumee, Ohio.
Melissa Etheridge, "The Quintessential Lady of Rock and Roll" at The Grammy's Janis Joplin Tribute, with Joss Stone.
Why would Melissa Etheridge be such a huge influence to a young female singer growing up with Type 1 Diabetes? It may just be that wild dash of courage added to her musical brilliance. "In October 2004, Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed a tribute to Janis Joplin with the song "Piece of My Heart". Etheridge was praised for her performance, which was considered one of the highlights of the show. Etheridge's bravery was lauded in song in India.Arie's "I Am Not My Hair."
And why would both Crystal and Melissa count Janis Joplin as an influence? It could be that Janis, known to her friends as "Pearl", was rock and roll's first female superstar, literally the first woman to create a band she would front. "Long before she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, Joplin had become a legend for her musical legacy, influence on popular culture and a persona that captured the spirit of the 1960s. Music journalist Ellen Willis believes “Joplin belonged to that select group of pop figures who mattered as much for themselves as for their music. Among American rock performers, she was second only to Bob Dylan in importance as a creator-recorder-embodiment of her generation’s mythology. She was also the only woman to achieve that kind of stature in what was basically a male club, the only ‘60s culture hero to make visible and public, women’s experience of the quest for liberation, which was very different from mens.”"
SOURCES: Wikipedia, case.edu - "Legacy of Janis Joplin"
by MS Chloe
American Idol Season 9 favorite Crystal Bowersox joins the pantheon of female rock legends singing "Piece of My Heart."
Here are two very different, but equally incredible versions of "Piece of My Heart" sung by Crystal Bowersox and one of her musical influences, Melissa Etheridge. You can hear Janis' legacy in Crystal's and Melissa's performance - a complete abandonment to the music, the moment and the audience. Janis let the women singers who followed her know that it is okay to loose yourself in the song and give your audience everything you've got - no holds barred!
Crystal Bowersox, who's been called "A New Artist With an Old Soul", and Frank May singing "Piece of My Heart" at The Village Idiot in Maumee, Ohio.
Why would Melissa Etheridge be such a huge influence to a young female singer growing up with Type 1 Diabetes? It may just be that wild dash of courage added to her musical brilliance. "In October 2004, Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed a tribute to Janis Joplin with the song "Piece of My Heart". Etheridge was praised for her performance, which was considered one of the highlights of the show. Etheridge's bravery was lauded in song in India.Arie's "I Am Not My Hair."
And why would both Crystal and Melissa count Janis Joplin as an influence? It could be that Janis, known to her friends as "Pearl", was rock and roll's first female superstar, literally the first woman to create a band she would front. "Long before she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, Joplin had become a legend for her musical legacy, influence on popular culture and a persona that captured the spirit of the 1960s. Music journalist Ellen Willis believes “Joplin belonged to that select group of pop figures who mattered as much for themselves as for their music. Among American rock performers, she was second only to Bob Dylan in importance as a creator-recorder-embodiment of her generation’s mythology. She was also the only woman to achieve that kind of stature in what was basically a male club, the only ‘60s culture hero to make visible and public, women’s experience of the quest for liberation, which was very different from mens.”"
SOURCES: Wikipedia, case.edu - "Legacy of Janis Joplin"
Crystal is Channeling Crystal.Janis is Dead and Melissa is Melissa. Why do you all try to make her somebody she is NOT !!!!! She may sing some of Janis's songs, but let it go at that. Crystal has her OWN TALENT, PERSONALITY, AND BEAUTY. By the way make sure you vote for on Tuesday Night!!!! Give it 2 hours a night for Crystal, that is REAL SUPPORT, THAT IS BEING A FAN (FANATIC)
ReplyDeleteBILL Z, I so agree with you....Crystal is nobody but Crystal, and that is what I love about her. She is true, deep, and a winner! I vote for her til all of my phone abtteries die. There are millions out of the USA who are also huge fans, so I throw my votes in for them as well! Crystal is the chime sound when you tap the glass, Crystal is music that was born to be heard, and Crystal is that one star that lights the entire sky at night! Crystal is a winner, and always will be a winner! I am a firm believer in her choices.
ReplyDeleteI will remain behind her long after AI.
Crystal is just an amazing heart, ready to spread through the world!
Crystal, both, my mom and dad are diabetic, we are not even sure my dad will make it through this year, so, I feel you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you have this burden and hope someday a cure comes along to help everyone who suffers with it. I am so very proud of you for making it yet again, thus, we all knew you would! You are a champion and a healer to hearts all over the world! You do remind me alot of my friend Racheal Fields, it took me awhile to figure it out, but, ya'll sound alike, have the same music ideas, and are both very full of heart....the only thing different, and I love most, is you are both yourself in your own life, giving to the world! I am so happy for you, so proud of you and I deeply appreciate you! Thank you for giving us music we can appreciate and enjoy the sounds of beauty! BOWER-STILL-ROX!
CONGRATULATIONS!
SMILE! Life always gets better! :)
"Crystal, Comment Ca' Va?" So sorry to say, I missed Idol lastnight. I had an emergency run, so missed out on it. :(
ReplyDeleteI have been searching all day to see it, but, all I get is the beginning (open spot).
No matter what, Crystal is still on top, the winner, and will go home with her head held high! She made so many people in and out of America very proud of her...she gave us music we enjoy, love, and cherish.
Sad to see the little guy leave, would have rather seen Lee go home...and, I hope he does soon! Bower-Rox, you are a rock!
I can't wait to buy your own cd, without other contestants on it. I want a mama-rox cd!
"Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!"
WE ALL LOVE YOU!
Crystal is awesome she is not fake.And know who she is and knows what she wants.I hope she wins and makes it all the way to the top! She's got it and i know she can do it!
ReplyDelete