Brighton: Strings of Pearl
Discover the story of John Till, guitarist for Janis Joplin, in a new biography. This authorized biography explores Till's life and career, from small-town Ontario to the height of rock's golden era.
Byrnes, Michael - Strings of Pearl : The Authorized Biography of John Till, the Guitarist Who Rocked Woodstock with Janis Joplin
27 Nov 2026
Resident Music (Brighton)
Growing up in small-town Stratford, Ontario, John Till was a boy with music in his blood, destined to become a guitarist who would make history. • His early years were marked by teenage jam sessions with Richard Manuel, later of the Band, and nights on the road with Ronnie Hawkins. • Till's big break came when Janis Joplin handpicked him for her band, first the Kozmic Blues Band and then the Full Tilt Boogie Band. • His guitar playing powered Joplin's legendary Woodstock performance and her final album, Pearl, forever tying his name to one of the greatest voices of a generation.
The biography, titled Strings of Pearl, is based on numerous interviews conducted over eight years and offers a deeply moving and intimate portrait of Till's life and career. On Friday, 27 November 2026, at Resident Music in Brighton, Michael Byrnes will present this authorized biography. Tickets are with the button beside the article.
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