A biography of Bruce Springsteen reports that Janis Joplin once unsuccessfully pursued a romance with Springsteen. One can only dream about the talented children they would have had. Although Springsteen and Joplin never performed together, Joplin was known for her performance of the show-stopper “Raise Your Hand” and Springsteen often highlights the song too.
We never got a Springsteen-Joplin pairing on “Raise Your Hand,” but in 1969, Joplin sang the song with an interesting choice. That year, Tom Jones and Janis Joplin sang “Raise Your Hand” together on the This is Tom Jones TV show. I must say, it is pretty awesome. Not Springsteen-Joplin-baby awesome, but awesome nonetheless.
This is Tom Jones ran on TV from 1969 to 1971. Jones featured a lot of big stars from the day, including Dusty Springfield and Stevie Wonder.
Can you think of an odder pairing than Tom Jones and Janis Joplin? Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)
Come on, it’s Christmas time! The time of year that calls to mind the oddest pairing of all time with the Bing Crosby/David Bowie drummer boy video. Can anyone top that one?
Well, there’s this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kg0v0Er8Ak
Tom Jones & Crosby,Stills,Nash and Young – Long Time Gone (1969)
Wow, that is pretty awesome too. Thanks!
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga or Elvis Costello come to mind
Those are good ones too, although I guess the point of the duets albums by Bennett and Sinatra was to broaden the audience with unusual pairings.