Janis Outshines Big Brother In Rare 1966 Performance Of “Roadblock”

Live At San Francisco’s California Hall, 1966

Featured on the 1999 reissue of Cheap Thrills as a bonus track, ‘Roadblock’ by Big Brother and the Holding Company is one of Janis Joplin’s best-kept secrets! It’s one of the first studio tracks recorded by Big Brother to feature Janis, and we absolutely adore it. This ultra-rare audio features Janis and Big Brother playing ‘Roadblock’ live in 1966 at San Francisco’s California Hall, and it’s a fantastic glimpse into Janis’ role within the band before she made her exit in 1968 to embark on her critically acclaimed solo career with Kozmic Blues Band and later, Full Tilt Boogie.

Fun Fact: It took Janis about a year with Big Brother and the Holding Company to learn how to sing at full voice.

She’s not in a lead role just yet; at times, all you can hear is Janis singing the word “roadblock” as sort of a call-and-answer with singer Sam Andrews, yet her vocals outshine those of her bandmates and provide that much needed something extra to this rowdy, fun little tune.

+ Roadblock lyrics +

Hey! All right, all right, all right, all right!

Oh, ain’t no problem
Carry no heavy load
Why can’t I love you, baby ?
You try to block my road.
I wish ya wouldn’t do it.

Oh, better off to hand you
Everything I own, ha ha ha ha!
Strange to see you waiting for me,
You try to block my road
All the time.
Yeah, try to block my road
Please be mine!
Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Road block
Hit me with a roadblock
Come on a road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Ah! Road block
My, my, my, my, my, my, road block
Up ahead I see a roadblock
Up ahead I see a roadblock
Whoa, road block
Whoa, road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Road block
Road block

Oh, ain’t no problem
Carry no heavy load
No, no!
Hey! why can’t I love you, baby ?
You try to block my road.
Why are you doin’ it ?
Yeah, try to block my road.
Try to block my
Road!
Lord! Road block!