Here's a look at the award-winning Friday version of 'Today in Rock History' featuring: Def Jam pioneer, Russell Simmons is 62. 49 years ago today, in 1970, Janis Joplin was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose in her room at the Landmark Hotel in Hollywood. She was only 27. Janis had just finished recording her second solo album,"Pearl". DON'T TAKE DRUGS! In 1975, Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" hit #1 on the album charts. In 1996, Van Halen announced the tragic news that former Extreme lead singer Gary Cherone was chosen to replace Sammy Hagar as their new lead singer.