Bessie Smith was one of the greatest blues singers of all time, known for her powerful voice and fearless style. Yet when she died in 1937, she had very little money and was buried in an unmarked grave, even as her music continued to inspire generations of artists. One of those artists was Janis Joplin, who grew up idolizing Bessie’s raw voice and emotional honesty. In 1970, Janis learned that her hero’s grave still had no headstone. Quietly and without seeking attention, she helped pay for one,