Big Brother and the Holding Company Guitarist Sam Andrew Dies at 73.

Founding member and guitarist of California rock group Big Brother and the Holding Company, Sam Andrew, passed away in San Rafael, CA. He was 73. According to the San Francisco Gate, Andrew died due to complications from open-heart surgery following a heart attack. Big Brother and the Holding Company joined the likes of the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and others as a centerpiece of the San Francisco rock scene. Initially serving as the house band at the Avalon Ballroom, the band then recruited Janis Joplin in 1966 and released their debut, self-titled album in 1967.

Their 1968 record, Cheap Thrills, topped the charts as they made their Columbia Records debut with their highest charting record to date. Andrew (and Joplin) left Big Brother in 1968 to form Kozmic Blues Band but would return nine months later. In recent years, Andrew continued to play with Big Brother as well as his own band, the Sam Andrew Band. He also served as musical director for the Love, Janis production based on his former bandmate’s life.