Joni Mitchell.Photo: Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Roberta Joan Andersonwas born in Alberta, Canada, on Nov. 7, 1943. As a young girl she and her family moved to Saskatchewan where she would explore her artistry, both as a musician as the world would come to know and as a painter.By 1964, her music career would begin to take off as she started playing shows at venues around Canada, perher website. And in the decades since, she’s become an integral part of the American canon, and a trailblazer for the female singer-songwriters who have followed in her footsteps.As Mitchell turns 80, celebrate with a look at her life and career in photos.
Roberta Joan Andersonwas born in Alberta, Canada, on Nov. 7, 1943. As a young girl she and her family moved to Saskatchewan where she would explore her artistry, both as a musician as the world would come to know and as a painter.
By 1964, her music career would begin to take off as she started playing shows at venues around Canada, perher website. And in the decades since, she’s become an integral part of the American canon, and a trailblazer for the female singer-songwriters who have followed in her footsteps.
As Mitchell turns 80, celebrate with a look at her life and career in photos.
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Joni Mitchell’s First Marriage and Child
Joni Mitchell.Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images
02of 25Joni Mitchell and Judy CollinsJoni Mitchell and Judy Collins.Sulfiati Magnuson/GettyChuck and Joni went their separate ways, and in 1967she moved to New York Cityand continued performing. One of Mitchell’s first hits came that year when Judy Collins recorded her song “Both Sides, Now,“The New York Timesexplained in a review of a 2017 biography.
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Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins
Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins.Sulfiati Magnuson/Getty
Chuck and Joni went their separate ways, and in 1967she moved to New York Cityand continued performing. One of Mitchell’s first hits came that year when Judy Collins recorded her song “Both Sides, Now,“The New York Timesexplained in a review of a 2017 biography.
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04of 25Joni Mitchell and Elliot RobertsElliot Roberts and Joni Mitchell.Gijsbert Hanekroot/RedfernsAt the start of her career, Mitchell was introduced to Elliot Roberts, who would become her manager. He, along with David Geffen, helped catapult Mitchell’s career.
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Joni Mitchell and Elliot Roberts
Elliot Roberts and Joni Mitchell.Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
At the start of her career, Mitchell was introduced to Elliot Roberts, who would become her manager. He, along with David Geffen, helped catapult Mitchell’s career.
05of 25Joni Mitchell and Leonard CohenJoni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.Archivo / Alamy Stock PhotoMitchell apparently metLeonard Cohen— another great of her generation — for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival in 1967 (above.) The two became friends and even entered into a romantic relationship.
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Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen
Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.Archivo / Alamy Stock Photo
Mitchell apparently metLeonard Cohen— another great of her generation — for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival in 1967 (above.) The two became friends and even entered into a romantic relationship.
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Joni Mitchell in Laurel Canyon
Joni Mitchell’s home.Barry King/Alamy Stock
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Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash
Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash.Alamy Stock Photo
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Joni Mitchell on ‘Mama Cass’
Joni Mitchell on ‘Mama Cass’.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
09of 25Joni Mitchell and James TaylorJoni Mitchell and James Taylor.Jim McCrary/RedfernsMitchell andJames Taylorrecorded vocals forCarole King’s albumTapestrycirca 1970, around the time the two were dating. The pair collaborated on numerous occasions, with Taylor playing on her albumBlue, and have remained friends. Taylor has said that his song “You Can Close Your Eyes"was written for Mitchell.
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Joni Mitchell and James Taylor
Joni Mitchell and James Taylor.Jim McCrary/Redferns
Mitchell andJames Taylorrecorded vocals forCarole King’s albumTapestrycirca 1970, around the time the two were dating. The pair collaborated on numerous occasions, with Taylor playing on her albumBlue, and have remained friends. Taylor has said that his song “You Can Close Your Eyes"was written for Mitchell.
10of 25Joni Mitchell’s Grammy AwardsJoni Mitchell at the Grammys.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesMitchell won her first of nineGrammy Awardsin 1970 for her second album,Clouds. To date, she has a total of 17 nominations.
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Joni Mitchell’s Grammy Awards
Joni Mitchell at the Grammys.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Mitchell won her first of nineGrammy Awardsin 1970 for her second album,Clouds. To date, she has a total of 17 nominations.
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Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’
Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’.GAB Archive/Redferns
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Joni Mitchell at the Mariposa Folk Festival.Mario Geo/Toronto Star via Getty Images
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Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock
Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock.Roger Ressmeyer/CORBIS/VCG via Getty Images
14of 25Joni Mitchell’s Albums ‘Mingus’ and ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’Joni Mitchell.Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty ImagesFor her ninth studio album, in 1977, Mitchell releasedDon Juan’s Reckless Daughter,which would cause some controversy for the songwriter in years that followed. For the cover art, Mitchell chose to pose in Blackface as a character she had debuted ata Halloween party the year prior, the BBC reported.In 1979, Mitchell released her 10th studio album,Mingus,on which she collaborated and recorded with jazz musician Charles Mingus just months before his death.
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Joni Mitchell’s Albums ‘Mingus’ and ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’
Joni Mitchell.Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images
For her ninth studio album, in 1977, Mitchell releasedDon Juan’s Reckless Daughter,which would cause some controversy for the songwriter in years that followed. For the cover art, Mitchell chose to pose in Blackface as a character she had debuted ata Halloween party the year prior, the BBC reported.
In 1979, Mitchell released her 10th studio album,Mingus,on which she collaborated and recorded with jazz musician Charles Mingus just months before his death.
15of 25Joni Mitchell’s Second MarriageJoni Mitchell and Larry Klein.Michael Putland/Getty ImagesIn 1982, Mitchell married her second husband, fellow musician Larry Klein. The two were married for 12 years.
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Joni Mitchell’s Second Marriage
Joni Mitchell and Larry Klein.Michael Putland/Getty Images
In 1982, Mitchell married her second husband, fellow musician Larry Klein. The two were married for 12 years.
16of 25Joni Mitchell’s PaintingJoni Mitchell.Peter Brooker/ShutterstockIn addition to her immeasurable talents as a songwriter and musician, Mitchell also loves to paint, with her art often featured on the covers of her records.“I’ma painter first,” she told Jian Ghomeshi for CBC Radio in 2013. According to Garage,12 of her 19 studio album coversare her own paintings — most of which are self-portraits.
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Joni Mitchell’s Painting
Joni Mitchell.Peter Brooker/Shutterstock
In addition to her immeasurable talents as a songwriter and musician, Mitchell also loves to paint, with her art often featured on the covers of her records.
“I’ma painter first,” she told Jian Ghomeshi for CBC Radio in 2013. According to Garage,12 of her 19 studio album coversare her own paintings — most of which are self-portraits.
17of 25Joni Mitchell at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage FestivalJoni Mitchell at the 1995 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.David Redfern/RedfernsMitchell performed at the 1995 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
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Joni Mitchell at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Joni Mitchell at the 1995 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.David Redfern/Redferns
Mitchell performed at the 1995 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
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Joni Mitchell: A Tribute to a Legend
All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell.MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images
19of 25Joni Mitchell’s ‘Shine’Joni Mitchell’s ‘Shine’.Kevin Mazur/WireImageIn 2007, Mitchell released her last studio album to date,Shine.
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Joni Mitchell’s ‘Shine’
Joni Mitchell’s ‘Shine’.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
In 2007, Mitchell released her last studio album to date,Shine.
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Joni Mitchell’s Health Issues
Joni Mitchell.Michael Kovac/WireImage
21of 25Joni Mitchell at the Kennedy Center HonorsJoni Mitchell at the Kennedy Center Honors.Scott Suchman/CBS via Getty ImagesIn 2021, Mitchell was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor alongsideBette Mider, Berry Gordy,Lorne Michaelsand Justino Díaz.
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Joni Mitchell at the Kennedy Center Honors
Joni Mitchell at the Kennedy Center Honors.Scott Suchman/CBS via Getty Images
In 2021, Mitchell was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor alongsideBette Mider, Berry Gordy,Lorne Michaelsand Justino Díaz.
22of 25Joni Mitchell and Brandi CarlileJoni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile.Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesMitchell andBrandi Carlilefirst became friends in 2018 when Carlile performed in a 75th birthday tribute concert to Mitchell, theLos Angeles Timesreported. Prior to COVID-19, Carlile was one of the artists who would gather at Mitchell’s home for a jam session of sorts with singers likeDolly Parton,Harry StylesandChaka Khan.“We get people together in the living room and around the instruments and we eat dinner and Joni drinks her Pinot Grigio,” Carlile told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in May 2020. “She likes Santa Margarita Pino Grigio. Headache wine. Yeah, she is a boss. We drink wine and we do music and, man, we had the best one in the plans.“In 2022, Carlile spearheaded Mitchell’s return to stage for the first time in two decades for her surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival. In October it was announced that the two will take the stage together in June 2023 at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington for two shows named “Echoes Through the Canyon.”
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Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile
Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Mitchell andBrandi Carlilefirst became friends in 2018 when Carlile performed in a 75th birthday tribute concert to Mitchell, theLos Angeles Timesreported. Prior to COVID-19, Carlile was one of the artists who would gather at Mitchell’s home for a jam session of sorts with singers likeDolly Parton,Harry StylesandChaka Khan.
“We get people together in the living room and around the instruments and we eat dinner and Joni drinks her Pinot Grigio,” Carlile told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in May 2020. “She likes Santa Margarita Pino Grigio. Headache wine. Yeah, she is a boss. We drink wine and we do music and, man, we had the best one in the plans.”
In 2022, Carlile spearheaded Mitchell’s return to stage for the first time in two decades for her surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival. In October it was announced that the two will take the stage together in June 2023 at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington for two shows named “Echoes Through the Canyon.”
23of 25Joni Mitchell as MusiCares Person of the YearJoni Mitchell as MusiCares Person of the Year.Amy Sussman/WireImageIn April 2022, Mitchell as honored as theMusiCares Person of the Year.For well three hours, guests wined and dined while listening to selection of iconic and modern-day artists including Carlile, Beck,John LegendandMickey Guytoncover Mitchell’s songs.
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Joni Mitchell as MusiCares Person of the Year
Joni Mitchell as MusiCares Person of the Year.Amy Sussman/WireImage
In April 2022, Mitchell as honored as theMusiCares Person of the Year.
For well three hours, guests wined and dined while listening to selection of iconic and modern-day artists including Carlile, Beck,John LegendandMickey Guytoncover Mitchell’s songs.
24of 25Joni Mitchell’s Return to the StageJoni Mitchell at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.Carlin Stiehl for The Boston Globe via GettyMitchell made a surprise appearance — and performance — at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, which marked her first full set since she headlined a benefit concert in Los Angeles in 2002, and her first public performance since 2013, when she sang briefly at a concert tribute in Toronto,according to her website.For the occasion, Mitchell joined artists like Carlile, Marcus Mumford and Wynonna Judd on stage and sang 13 songs, including classics like “A Case of You,” “Both Sides Now” and “Big Yellow Taxi.“In an essay for U.K. outletThe Times, Carlile explained how theperformance came to be. She said after they both attended the 2022 Grammys and the Recording Academy’s charity MusiCares’ concert thrown in Mitchell’s honor, the two agreed to perform at the festival.She said that ahead of the performance, though, Mitchell had developed some apprehension. She worried about expectations, so Carlile decided to give her a FaceTime call and chat through it. “We had one of the best conversations we’ve ever had,” she wrote.“I said, ‘Joni, since we all met you, we’ve all started working together, we’ve become a family. You’ve created a community around you,'” she recalled. “‘All we want to do is just sit there in a circle and sing to show you what you’ve done for us. And if you sing along, f—ing awesome; if you don’t, we’re just so happy to be with you. This is our way of thanking you. We don’t want you to feel like there’s something that you have to do.’ "
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Joni Mitchell’s Return to the Stage
Joni Mitchell at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.Carlin Stiehl for The Boston Globe via Getty
Mitchell made a surprise appearance — and performance — at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, which marked her first full set since she headlined a benefit concert in Los Angeles in 2002, and her first public performance since 2013, when she sang briefly at a concert tribute in Toronto,according to her website.
For the occasion, Mitchell joined artists like Carlile, Marcus Mumford and Wynonna Judd on stage and sang 13 songs, including classics like “A Case of You,” “Both Sides Now” and “Big Yellow Taxi.”
In an essay for U.K. outletThe Times, Carlile explained how theperformance came to be. She said after they both attended the 2022 Grammys and the Recording Academy’s charity MusiCares’ concert thrown in Mitchell’s honor, the two agreed to perform at the festival.
She said that ahead of the performance, though, Mitchell had developed some apprehension. She worried about expectations, so Carlile decided to give her a FaceTime call and chat through it. “We had one of the best conversations we’ve ever had,” she wrote.
“I said, ‘Joni, since we all met you, we’ve all started working together, we’ve become a family. You’ve created a community around you,'” she recalled. “‘All we want to do is just sit there in a circle and sing to show you what you’ve done for us. And if you sing along, f—ing awesome; if you don’t, we’re just so happy to be with you. This is our way of thanking you. We don’t want you to feel like there’s something that you have to do.’ "
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Joni Mitchell’s First Broadway Show
Joni Mitchell at Broadway’s Almost Famous.Nina Westervelt/Getty
Just ahead of her birthday, Mitchell took inher first Broadway musicalas she attended opening night ofAlmost Famousat the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Nov. 3, 2022.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Mitchell said she liked the stage show “even better than the movie.”
source: people.com
