This day in music history.

August 8, 1970, Janis Joplin buys a headstone for the grave of blues singer Bessie Smith. It was 33 years after her death. Janis said that Smith was one of her greatest influences. Bessie is buried at the Mont Lawn Cemetery in Philadelphia. She died in 1937 after she was in a car accident while traveling from a concert along U.S. Route 61.
Me And My Gin by Bessie Smith
Stay away from me 'cause I'm in my sin.
Stay away from me 'cause I'm in my sin.
If this place gets raided, it's just me and my gin.
Don't try me nobody, oh, you will never win.
Don't try me nobody 'cause you will never win.
I'll fight the army, navy just me and my gin.
Any bootlegger sure is a pal of mine.
Any bootlegger sure is a pal of mine.
'Cause a good ol' bottle o' gin will get it all the time.
When I'm feeling high ain't nothing I won't do.
When I'm feeling high ain't nothing I won't do.
Get me full of liquor and I'll sure be nice to you.
I don't want no pork and I don't need no beer.
I don't want no pork and I don't need no beer.
I don't want no porkchop just give me gin instead...