What did Janis Joplin do in honor of Bessie Smith?

What did Janis Joplin do in honor of Bessie Smith?

• A. Helped pay for a headstone for her grave.
• B. Recorded a tribute album.
• C. Founded a music festival.
• D. Wrote a biography.

Answer: (A)

Paying for a headstone is a tangible, lasting tribute that publicly acknowledges someone’s influence. Bessie Smith, a towering figure in early blues, did not have a prominent grave marker for many years, and Janis Joplin, inspired by Smith’s trailblazing voice, helped fund a headstone so Smith’s contribution would be remembered. This act creates a concrete link between generations of American music, honoring the roots of rock in the blues tradition. It stands out as the best choice because it is a direct, lasting memorial rather than a performative or promotional gesture. Other possible ways to honor someone—like recording a tribute album, founding a festival, or writing a biography—are different kinds of tribute and did not reflect this specific action Joplin took.

Paying for a headstone is a tangible, lasting tribute that publicly acknowledges someone’s influence. Bessie Smith, a towering figure in early blues, did not have a prominent grave marker for many years, and Janis Joplin, inspired by Smith’s trailblazing voice, helped fund a headstone so Smith’s contribution would be remembered. This act creates a concrete link between generations of American music, honoring the roots of rock in the blues tradition. It stands out as the best choice because it is a direct, lasting memorial rather than a performative or promotional gesture. Other possible ways to honor someone—like recording a tribute album, founding a festival, or writing a biography—are different kinds of tribute and did not reflect this specific action Joplin took.