Janis Joplin Featured On Limited-Edition Forever Stamp

The U.S. Postal Service added singer Janis Joplin to its Music Icons Forever Stamp series during a first-day-of-issue ceremony at the Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park.

"Today we salute an American original, Janis Joplin," said Megan Brennan, chief operating officer and executive vice president. "I am honored to dedicate this stamp to pay tribute to one of the most important musicians of the 20th century."

The Janis Joplin Forever Stamp is the fifth in the Postal Service's Music Icons series. Through the power of stamps, Joplin joins a list of celebrated artists so honored: Lydia Mendoza, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Jimi Hendrix.

"The recognition of her legacy and persona on such a permanent and iconic symbol as a United States postage stamp is truly humbling and it fills us with joy and pride," said Michael Joplin, Joplin's brother, who attended the stamp dedication ceremony.

"I am happy for Janis that her image stands strong, representing the power, artistry and independence of women," said Joplin's sister, Laura Joplin, in reflecting on the issuance of this stamp.

"As a rock and roll icon of the turbulent 1960's era, Janis's inclusion helps remind us of the positive strength of an era devoted to peace, love and -- as Janis said -- 'Be True to Yourself.'"

The ceremony paid homage to the iconic singer with performances by Mary Bridget Davies, from the critically-acclaimed Broadway play A Night with Janis Joplin, and Outside Lands performers Kacey Musgraves and Nicki Bluhm.

SiriusXM Radio DJ, Jim Ladd, served as master of ceremonies.

The artwork for this stamp was designed by Art director Antonio Alcala of Alexandria, VA, and features a June 1970 portrait of Janis Joplin taken in New York City by renowned music photographer David Gahr.

The original black and white photograph is rendered in shades of blue, with Joplin's trademark round sunglasses tinted a dark shade of pink.

The words "Janis Joplin," along with the "Forever" denomination and "USA" appear in psychedelic-style script reminiscent of the 1960s, in shades of gold, orange, and pink. Small blue stars pop out from the stamp's dark blue background.

The stamp pane evokes the appearance of a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve.

One side of the pane includes the stamps and the image of a sliver of a record visible at the top.

A photograph taken by noted photographer, creative director and designer Bruce Steinberg of Queens, NY, in May 1968 at the First International San Jose Pop Festival, and the logo for the Music Icons series appear on the reverse side, along with the words "Janis Joplin Blues, Rock, Country, Soul, Folk."

Janis Joplin was a groundbreaking singer whose powerful, bluesy voice propelled her to the pinnacle of rock stardom.

An icon of the 1960s, she was known for her uninhibited and soulful performances.

Joplin is now recognized as one of the greatest rock singers of all time, as well as a pioneer who paved the way for other women in rock music.

Joplin broke onto the national music scene at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and was known for her rebellious public persona. Her time at the top, however, was brief. She recorded three hit albums and performed at Woodstock.

The album she was recording at the time of her death, Pearl, went on to cement her reputation as one of the greatest rock singers of all time.

"Me and Bobby McGee," written by Kris Kristofferson, became the second posthumous no.1 hit in history after Otis Redding's no. 1 hit, (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay.

As the years passed, Joplin's legacy was increasingly recognized. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Rolling Stone included Joplin on its list of 100 Greatest Artists. Some of her most popular songs include Piece of My Heart, Ball and Chain and Cry Baby.