After Joplin’s death, John Lennon (per Far Out Magazine) spoke of this most special of 30th birthday gifts on “The Dick Cavett Show.” He relayed the fact that he and the blues star never met in person, and discussed how very poignant it was that he received her message after she died. “It arrived in the post, and she was singing happy birthday to me in the studio,” he said, gushing about a gift Joplin’s legions of fans would have been over the moon to receive.
The recording, via YouTube, kicks off with a simple, “John, this is Janis. We’d just like to wish you a very happy birthday.” She and the band then launch into a brief but brilliant birthday-themed rendition of “Happy Trails.”
Joplin’s contribution was the very last thing she recorded, and numerous other musical heavyweights were contacted to play their own little part in Lennon’s birthday tribute. According to The Beatles Bible, he had a very special 30th, largely spent at Abbey Road studios. The track “Remember” was recorded on his birthday, October 9, 1970, for his album “John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.”
