The decades gave me this perspective, as Janis went from local rock star to dead multigenerational icon: I was lucky. Janis was a sexual predator, according to multiple sources, and she liked young boys. Who knows what would have happened to me if I’d started drinking with her, or worse? Most of the scenarios don’t feel like they turn out too good. Sour grapes? Maybe. But I now can appreciate just how incredibly young 17 years old really is.