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Big Brother Guitarist Dies

The raw urgency of Big Brother & The Holding Company made it the right band for Janis Joplin. What they lacked in skill and technique BBHC members more than made up for in drive and emotion. Guitarist James Gurley matched the passion and angst that filled so many songs Janis belted out nightly.  The band fell apart when Joplin left with the other guitarist, Sam Andrew, to form the Kozmic Blues Band at the end of 1968. Things went from bad to worse when Gurley was charged with murder after his wife died of an accidental overdose.  He was acquitted.  Gurley regrouped with BBHC for brief stints in the 80's & 90's, but left for good in '97.  Hurley died in Palm Springs, CA Sunday (12/20) after suffering a heart attack two days before his 70th birthday. A January memorial is being planned in San Francisco.
BBHC.com