Punching Janis Joplin 

A meeting between Jerry Lee Lewis and Janis Joplin seems an oddity and due to their unhinged personas, something seemed bound to happen.  

It was at Joplin’s ten-year high school reunion that Joplin, having a crush on Lewis’s bassist, introduced herself and her sister to the band. Lewis told her sister: “You wouldn’t be bad looking if you weren’t trying to look like your sister,” at this slight at her, Joplin struck Lewis.  

Jerry Lee hit back, slugging her in the face remarking: “If you’re gonna act like a man, I’m gonna treat you like one!” 

No matter the context, it is always controversial putting your hand on a woman. Physical assault may have been more prevalent and accepted at the time but that should be little excuse. 

Via The Guardian, Lewis later covered Joplin’s popular single “Me and Bobby McGee” – why?, as it gave him a chance to “show that damn woman how it should be done!”