Big Brother and the Holding Company was a psychedelic rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. The original members of the band were Sam Andrew and James Gurley on guitars, Peter Albin on bass and Chuck Jones on drums, who was replaced by Dave Getz in 1966. The group increased in popularity with the addition of lead singer Janis Joplin, also in 1966. Their performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in the following year attracted national attention. Their second album, Cheap Thrills, reached the top of the charts in 1968.

Near the end of 1968, Janis left the band and Sam Andrew joined her new band, the Kozmic Blues Band. Albin and Getz became members of Country Joe and the Fish.

The band reformed in 1969 with the same line-up (except Janis) as in 1968 but broke up again in 1972. The latest incarnation started up again in 1987.