Janis Joplin Pearl 50th Anniversary (Lava Foil)

Released 50 years ago, Pearl was Joplin’s unintended swan song, being the second solo album of her career. Sessions for the album began in Los Angeles in early September 1970, with Doors producer Paul Rothchild behind the boards. Within a month, they had almost a dozen songs recorded, all approved by Joplin. On Oct. 1, she laid down an a cappella take of "Mercedes Benz," a song she co-wrote. It would be the last number she ever recorded.