Lucinda Williams

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Case Western Reserve University celebrated Janis Joplin during the 14th annual American Music Masters series, entitled Kozmic Blues: The Life and Music of Janis Joplin, Sunday night to a near-capacity audience at the State Theater in Playhouse Square. The concert lineup consisted of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Ray Benson, Guy Clark, Roky Erickson, Nick Gravenites, Nona Hendryx, Bettye LaVette, Country Joe McDonald, Bob Neuwirth, Powell St. John, Susan Tedeschi, Lucinda Williams, Carolyn Wonderland, and Santana co-founders Gregg Rolie and Michael Carrabello.

Artists performed heartfelt and rousing tributes throughout the nearly three hour concert culminating with Lucinda Williams debuting a yet-to-be titled song written in honor of Janis.

The evening's tribute, through photographs, video and song, wove a narrative of Joplin's life and groundbreaking art that broke down barriers for women in rock and roll. Highlights included Bettye LaVette's soulful take on “Piece of My Heart," which she recorded in 1969, Susan Tedeschi's powerful interpretation of “Kozmic Blues," Guy Clark's poignant “She Ain't Goin' Nowhere, Nick Gravenites' “Buried Alive in the Blues" - a song Joplin was due to record the week that she died - and Bob Neuwirth's inviting the Joplin Family onstage to join him to sing “Mercedes Benz."

Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum presented Joplin's brother and sister, Michael and Laura with an American Music Masters Award to close the show.

Kozmic Blues: The Life and Music Of Janis Joplin Setlist:
House Band
“Combination of the Two"

Ray Benson
“Silver Threads and Golden Needles"

Guy Clark
“Trouble in Mind"
“She Ain't Goin' Nowhere"

Roky Erickson
“You're Gonna Miss Me"
“Oh My Soul"

Country Joe McDonald
“Easy Rider"
“Janis"

Powell St. John
“Bye Bye Baby"

Carolyn Wonderland
“Down on Me"

Nick Gravenites
“Buried Alive in the Blues"

Gregg Rolie And Michael Carabello
“No One to Depend On"
“Evil Ways"

Susan Tedeschi
“Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)"
“Kozmic Blues"
“Tell Mama"

Nona Hendryx
“Nightbird"
“Move Over"

Bettye LaVette
“A Woman Left Lonely"
“Piece of My Heart"

Bob Neuwirth
“Good Intentions"
“Mercedes Benz"

Lucinda Williams
“Me and Bobby McGee"
“Ball and Chain"
Debuted Yet-to-be titled song

Please visit the official Rock Hall site for additional information about the concert, the weeklong series of events, and for more information about Janis Joplin.

About the American Music Masters Series
The American Music Masters series, a co-production of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities at Case Western Reserve University, celebrates the lives and careers of artists who changed the shape and sound of American culture. Drawing together experts, artists, fans and friends, the series provide new perspectives on the most beloved and influential musicians of the past century.

The tribute concert brings together a diverse mix of artists and musical style and, as a result, many magical moments have taken place over the years. In 2004, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss performed onstage together for the first time to honor Lead Belly. This year the pair was awarded the highest honors of Album of the Year for Raising Sand and Record of the Year for “Please Read the Letter" at the 51st annual Grammy awards. Honoree Jerry Lee Lewis, who was not scheduled to perform at the 2007 concert, was moved to take the stage at the end of the show. Lewis tenderly played the piano and sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow". At the first American Music Masters tribute concert, Bruce Springsteen set the bar high and performed in honor of Woody Guthrie. The most star-studded and unique performance by a trio was Aretha Franklin, Solomon Burke, and Elvis Costello paying tribute to Sam Cooke in 2005. Last year, a 93-year-old Les Paul took the stage with his trio and then led an epic jam with some of rock and roll's greatest guitarists, from Jennifer Batten to Slash.