Drawing inspiration from and , developed a brash, uncompromising vocal style quite unlike traditional folk Madonnas. In 1966, was invited to the Bay Area to front . , a joyous celebration of true psychedelic soul, contained two "standards" in "Piece of My Heart" and "Ball and Chain," but she left the group in November 1968. members , and helped assemble a new act, known as the was coolly received, but the set contained several excellent vocals, notably "Try," "Maybe," and "Little Girl Blue." The singer subsequently dissolved the band and undertook medical advice for drinking and drug abuse. A slimmed-down group, the , was unveiled in May 1970 featuring a tighter, more intimate sound. Sessions for a debut album were all but complete when, on October 4, 1970, died of a heroin overdose at her Hollywood hotel. The posthumous proved her most consistent work, with "My Baby," "Cry Baby," and the anthemic "Get It While You Can." The highlight was the chart-topping "Me and Bobby McGee," which allowed to be both vulnerable and assertive. knew few boundaries, artistic or personal, and her sadly brief catalog is marked by her bare-nerved honesty. ~ Rovi Staff