Ian is the three-letter answer to the crossword clue for singer Janis. Janis Joplin was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to fame in the late 1960s as the lead singer of the psychedelic-acid rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She was known for her powerful, blues-inspired vocals and her passionate performances. Her most famous songs include 'Piece of My Heart, ' 'Me and Bobby McGee, ' and 'Mercedes Benz.' She died in 1970 at the age of 27.