Etheridge Abandons Joplin Dreams

Melissa Etheridge has accepted she will never star as tragic 1960s singer Janis Joplin on the big screen - but consoled herself by performing Joplin's songs CRY BABY and PIECE OF MY HEART at Sunday's (13FEB05) GRAMMYS.

The country star, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, knows she is now too old to play Joplin - who died of a drug overdose in 1970 - in a biopic.

She says, "That's over. I'm in my 40s. Janis was 27 when she died, but I hope someone does do it sometime. Hers was a troubled life, but so important to the world of music. Her story needs to be told."

OSCAR-winner Renee Zellweger and pop punk Pink are both set to play the singer-songwriter in two separate movies.