Why Janis Joplin Hated The British Music Invasion

Not everyone was a fan of the British invasion during the ’60s. Some artists including Janis Joplin, dislike the era that took over the U.S.

In an interview on Rock History Music, Grand Funk Railroad bassist Mark Farner shared the helicopter story that turned into a mockery for The Rolling Stones. He said:

“It was the opposite to me and my friend Janice Joplin because we spoke of this as she was smearing chocolate all over the seats of a helicopter that The Rolling Stones would use next. This is the truth; this is the story, brother; she did not like them because we would sit and have this conversation, ‘British Invasion, my ass. Those guys, singing in American English because we are the only ones free, those guys are born subjects to the crown, they’re born subject to assholes…’ we’re I’m going, ‘Yeah baby talk to me.’”

The musician recalled Joplin’s attitude towards the bands like the Stones. He then added:

“She’s smearing this chocolate all over these plush seats in this helicopter that’s been done up like a motorhome inside, and that’s back when Mick [Jagger] wore those white satin pants, you know, the ones with the big brown stain on the back. It was Florida hotter than the sheriff’s pistol, brother, and I’m talking that melted chocolate; there’s no way they could have avoided sitting in it.”

While for others, like Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, the British invasion was the best thing to happen to American musicians. In an interview with Guitar World last summer, the guitarist stated:

“The Brits turned around and said, ‘Hold on, have you ever heard of Lightnin’ Hopkins and Muddy Waters?’ The Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, and all these bands said, ‘Hey, let us reintroduce you to your roots.’ I think they did American musicians a huge favor.”

Check out Joplin’s full interview below.