Issue date: 11/1/01 Section: A & E

Media Credit: all photos from www.rockandrollphotogallery.com Jimi jammed on his guitar in front of millions throughout jis career

Even today, Janis is perceived as one of music´s most prized blues and folk performers

Jim Morrison and "The Doors" were notorious for their onstage antics

Since the beginning of Rock and Roll there has always been the cliché of sex, drugs, and alcohol that Rock stars seem to follow. They live extravagant lives that most of us would only dream of. Unfortunately the harsh realities of the rock and roll lifestyle can take their toll quite rapidly, the human body is capable of taking so much partying before it decides to shut down. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison were three legends that gave in to such an early departure from life due to the unforgiving lifestyle that they immersed themselves in.

Jimi Hendrix was born November 27, 1942 as Johnny Allen Hendrix. As a boy, he taught himself his own unique way of playing the guitar; he played a right-handed guitar upside down and left-handed. After a brief period of time in the Air Force, Hendrix toured with acts like Ike and Tina Turner and Little Richard under the name of Jimmy James. By this time Jimi had more than enough musical experience under his belt to start his own three-man band consisting of himself on lead guitar and vocals, Mitch Mitchell on drums, and Noel Redding on bass, they called themselves The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The group produced many hits such as "Purple Haze", "Foxy Lady", and "Voodoo Child". Perhaps his most famous song was the rebellious, metal rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that captured the patriotism of a youthful country as they danced and frolicked on the fields of Woodstock, New York in 1969. Sadly, on September 18th, 1970 Jimi Hendrix was found dead, the coroner reported that he had died from inhaling his own vomit after barbiturate intoxication.

Although he has been dead for many years his screaming guitar which he called his "Electric Lady," can still be heard all over the world.

Janis Joplin was raised in the small town of Port Arthur, Texas. All throughout her childhood and into her teen years she performed blues and folk music in front of a wide array of different crowds. In 1966 Janis moved to San Francisco to become part of a group called "Big Brother & the Holding Company. In 1968 Joplin quit the band to pursue a solo career, her first album was called "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama! The Album was a hit among many listeners. Joplin's life was plagued by drug addiction and alcoholism, and unfortunately they're also what ended it. In October of 1970, Janis Joplin was found dead in a Hollywood hotel of an apparent heroin overdose.

Jim Morrison was born December 8th1943, in Melbourne, Florida. His father, a Navy rear admiral, raised Jim in a strict household, which may have lead to his future rebelliousness. After attending Florida State University for one year, Morrison moved to California to study film and theatre at UCLA. This is where he would meet Robbie Krieger, John Densmore, and Ray Manzarek and form "The Doors". Morrison was known for exciting onstage antics and inciting riots among members of the crowd. On one occasion Morrison exposed himself to a crowd and was later arrested for "Lewd and Lascivious" behavior. Just like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison succumbed to the pressures of drugs and alcohol and was found dead from an apparent heart attack in his bathtub on July 3, 1971.

These people lived excessive lives; drugs, money, sex, and power were all at their fingertips. Perhaps the reason for the downfall was their vast addiction for living life to the fullest. All three died at the age of 27, an age at which the only way to become a legend is to die trying. Their music has influenced many in ways that are unimaginable, some present day artists from George Clinton to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan have mentioned what a profound impact these three have had on their music. Although they have been dead for many years, their music will go on forever.

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