On November 16, 1969, the Beatles had just released Come Together, Hillsborough County was home to a million fewer people, and Curtis Hixon Hall was alive with anticipation for Janis Joplin’s electrifying performance.
The scene: The late rock icon, celebrated for her powerful stage presence, drew a crowd of about 3,500 buzzing fans, according to the Tampa Bay Times. As Joplin began singing Summertime, the energy surged. Fans flooded the aisles and rushed toward the stage, swept up in the music.
The tension: Concerned about fire hazards, police at the venue tried to restore order by directing the crowd back to their seats. But Joplin wasn’t having it.
“Don’t f*** with those people!” she shouted, per the Times. Her rebellious spirit didn’t stop there. She aimed her fiery words at a detective, taunting him: “Hey mister, why are you so uptight? Did you buy a $5 ticket?”
The fallout: Police arrested Joplin after the show on charges of “vulgar and indecent language.” True to her legend, she was allowed to finish her set before being handcuffed and taken to jail shortly after midnight.
The aftermath: An hour later, Joplin posted bail and strutted out in a fur coat and jacket, flashing a peace sign to the world.
