Big Brother and the Holding Company was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. The band was best known for its association with singer Janis Joplin, who joined the group as lead vocalist in 1966.

The original lineup of Big Brother and the Holding Company included guitarist James Gurley, bassist Peter Albin, drummer Dave Getz, and singer and guitarist Sam Andrew. The band quickly gained a following in the San Francisco music scene with their high-energy performances and improvisational style.

In 1967, the band signed with Columbia Records and released their self-titled debut album, which included the hit single "Down on Me." However, it was their second album, "Cheap Thrills," that brought them widespread recognition. The album, produced by John Simon, featured Janis Joplin on vocals and included the hit songs "Piece of My Heart" and "Summertime." "Cheap Thrills" became a huge commercial success and reached number one on the Billboard charts.

Despite their success, tensions within the band began to mount, and Joplin left the group in 1968 to pursue a solo career. Big Brother and the Holding Company continued to perform and record without Joplin, but they were never able to recapture the success they had achieved with her as their lead vocalist.

Today, Big Brother and the Holding Company are remembered as one of the most important bands of the 1960s San Francisco music scene, and their music continues to influence generations of rock musicians.

From San Francisco, California.  Original name was The Blue Yard Hill. -GSH

• Peter Albin - bass/vocals - b. June 6, 1944, San Francisco, California - formerly with The Wildwood Boys / The Hart Valley Drifters (with Jerry Garcia).
• Sam Andrew - guitar/vocals - b. December 18, 1941, Taft, California.
• James Gurley - guitar/vocals - b. December 22, 1939, Detroit, Michigan.
• Chuck Jones - drums

• Peter Albin - bass/guitar/vocals
• Sam Andrew - guitar/piano/sax/vocals
• James Gurley - guitar
• David Getz - drums/piano/vocals - b. January 24, 1940, Brooklyn, New York.

• Peter Albin - bass/guitar/vocals
• Sam Andrew - guitar/piano/sax/vocals
• James Gurley - guitar
• David Getz - drums/piano/vocals
• Janis Joplin - vocals - b. Janis Lyn Joplin, January 19, 1943, Port Arthur, Texas; d. October 4, 1970, Hollywood, California.

1. "Big Brother and the Holding Company" (1967)
2. "Cheap Thrills" (1968) - Single: "Piece of My Heart"
3. "Cheaper Thrills" (live) (1984)
4. "Big Brother and the Holding Company Live" (1985) - recorded July 28, 1966.
5. "Live at Winterland '68" (1998)

• Peter Albin - bass/guitar/vocals
• James Gurley - guitar
• David Getz - drums/piano/vocals
• David Shallock - bass
• Nick Gravenites - vocals - b. Nicholas George Gravenites, October 2, 1938, Chicago, Illinois, USA - formerly with The Electric Flag. [Ref: John Warburg - Jan. 31, 2007]

1. "Be a Brother" (1970)

• Peter Albin - bass/guitar/vocals
• Sam Andrew - guitar/piano/sax/vocals
• David Getz - drums/piano/vocals
• Michael Pendergrass - guitar
• Kathi McDonald - vocals
• Mike Finnigan - keyboards

1. "How Hard It Is" (1971)
2. "Can't Go Home Again" (1997)

• Peter Albin - bass/guitar/vocals
• Sam Andrew - guitar/piano/sax/vocals
• James Gurley - guitar
• David Getz - drums/piano/vocals
• Michel Bastian - vocals

1. "Joseph's Coat" (1986)

• Peter Albin - bass/guitar/vocals
• Sam Andrew - guitar/piano/sax/vocals
• James Gurley - guitar
• David Getz - drums/piano/vocals
• Lisa Battle - vocals

• Peter Albin - bass/vocals
• Sam Andrew - guitar/vocals
• David Getz - drums
• Tom Finch - guitar

1. "Do What You Love" (1999)

1. "Farewell Song" (1982)

• Big Brother and the Holding Company Homepage