[8] Janis Joplin, who frequently acknowledged Thornton's musical influence, recorded several live performances of "Ball and Chain".

According to Big Brother and the Holding Company guitarist James Gurley, Joplin first heard the song during a performance by Thornton at a bar in San Francisco.

Another live version of "Ball and Chain", recorded March 8, 1968, at the Fillmore East, was included on Big Brother's 1968 breakthrough album Cheap Thrills.

[4] Gaar adds that "[Bay-Tone held] on to the copyright—which meant that Thornton missed out on the publishing royalties when Janis Joplin recorded the song later in the decade.

[11] In a 1972 interview, Thornton acknowledged giving Joplin permission to record the song and receiving royalty payments from its sales.