Joni Mitchell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joni Mitchell CC
Mitchell in 2021
Born	Roberta Joan Anderson (1943-11-07) November 7, 1943 (age 81) Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada
Other names	Roberta Joan Mitchell Joni Anderson
Citizenship	Canada United States
Spouse(s)	Chuck Mitchell ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1967)​ Larry Klein ​ ​ (m. 1982; div. 1994)​
Children	1
Family	Marlin Kohler, Daisy Gibb
Musical career
Genres	Folk pop jazz rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter painter
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano dulcimer
Years active	1964–2002 2006–2007 2013 2022–present
Labels	Reprise Asylum Geffen Nonesuch Hear Music
Signature

Joni Mitchell (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a famous Canadian and American singer, songwriter, and painter. She is also a talented musician who plays many instruments. Joni Mitchell became well-known in the 1960s for her unique folk music.

Her songs often share personal stories and have special melodies. Over time, her music blended different styles like pop, jazz, and rock. She has won many awards, including eleven Grammy Awards. In 1997, she was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone magazine called her "one of the greatest songwriters ever."

Mitchell started singing in small clubs in Canada before moving to the United States. She began touring in 1965. Other singers recorded some of her early songs, which helped her get a record deal. Her first album, Song to a Seagull, came out in 1968. She became famous for songs like "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Woodstock". Her 1971 album Blue is considered one of the best albums ever made.

Later, Mitchell explored jazz music, especially on her 1974 album Court and Spark. This album included popular songs like "Help Me" and "Free Man in Paris". She worked with famous jazz musicians and continued to create music that mixed different styles. Joni Mitchell also designed most of her album covers, showing her love for painting.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Joni Mitchell was born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada. Her mother was a teacher, and her father was a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Her family moved often when she was young.

When she was nine, Joni got polio and spent weeks in the hospital. This illness weakened her left hand. To help with this, she learned to play the guitar using special tunings. These unique tunings later became a key part of her songwriting style.

Joni moved to Saskatoon at age 11, which she considers her hometown. She loved painting and briefly studied classical piano. A teacher named Arthur Kratzmann encouraged her to write poetry. After high school, she studied art in Calgary but left after a year. She then decided to pursue music in Toronto.

Joni's first paid performance was in Saskatoon in 1962. She loved jazz music and learned many songs from jazz albums. She started writing her own songs because she found that other singers often claimed traditional folk songs as their own.

Starting Her Music Career

1964–1967: Early Performances and Personal Life

In 1964, Joni moved to Toronto to become a folk singer. She wrote her first song, "Day After Day," on the train ride there. She performed in coffeehouses and small venues, often singing her own original songs.

In 1965, Joni met American folk singer Chuck Mitchell. They traveled to the United States and got married in June 1965. They performed together in coffeehouses in Detroit. Their marriage ended in 1967, and Joni moved to New York City to focus on her solo career. She became known for her unique songwriting and guitar playing.

1968–1969: First Albums and Growing Fame

Other folk singers, like Tom Rush and Judy Collins, began recording Joni's songs. "Both Sides, Now" became a big hit for Judy Collins. This helped Joni get noticed.

In 1967, musician David Crosby heard Joni perform and was very impressed. He helped her get a record deal with Reprise Records. Her first album, Song to a Seagull, was released in March 1968. It was an acoustic album, meaning it mostly featured her voice and guitar.

Joni toured to promote her first album. Her second album, Clouds, came out in April 1969. This album included her own versions of songs like "Chelsea Morning" and "Both Sides, Now." Joni designed the covers for both albums, combining her love for painting and music.

1970–1972: Popular Success with Ladies of the Canyon and Blue

Joni Mitchell's house in Laurel Canyon from 1969 to 1974.

In March 1970, Clouds won Joni her first Grammy Award. The next month, her third album, Ladies of the Canyon, was released. This album showed her music growing beyond folk, adding pop and rock sounds. Many songs on this album were played on the piano.

Ladies of the Canyon was very popular and became her first gold album, selling over half a million copies. It included famous songs like "The Circle Game" and "Big Yellow Taxi". Joni decided to take a year off from touring to write and paint. The songs she wrote during this time appeared on her next album, Blue, released in June 1971.

Blue was a huge success with critics and fans. It reached the top 20 on the Billboard charts. Songs like "Carey", "A Case of You", and "River" became classics. Joni later said that on Blue, she shared her deepest feelings, even admitting to being "selfish and sad."

1972–1975: Exploring New Sounds

Mitchell performing in 1974.

After the success of Blue, Joni returned to performing live. Her fifth album, For the Roses, was released in October 1972 and quickly became popular. The single "You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio" reached No. 25 on the Billboard charts.

In January 1974, Court and Spark was released. This album marked Joni's move towards jazz and jazz fusion music. It became her best-selling album, with hit songs like "Help Me" and "Free Man in Paris". "Help Me" was her only Top 10 single.

Joni produced Court and Spark herself and worked with the jazz/pop band the L.A. Express. They toured together in 1974, and their live shows were recorded for the album Miles of Aisles, released in November. In 1975, Court and Spark received four Grammy nominations, and Joni won for Best Arrangement.

1975–1980: Jazz Influences and New Directions

Mitchell in 1975.

Joni continued to explore jazz-inspired music on her 1975 album, The Hissing of Summer Lawns. This album featured a wider range of instruments and less traditional song structures. She even used early music sampling on "The Jungle Line."

In 1976, Joni released Hejira, an album mostly written during a cross-country road trip. This album was very experimental, featuring jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius. Hejira became a favorite among fans over time.

In 1977, Joni released her first double studio album, Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. She worked again with Jaco Pastorius and other jazz musicians. The album included long, complex songs like "Paprika Plains."

Later, Joni collaborated with the famous jazz composer Charles Mingus. Their album, Mingus, was released in 1979. It was a big change for her fans. She then went on tour to promote Mingus, which was her first tour in several years. The tour was filmed and released as the concert film and album Shadows and Light in 1980.

1981–1993: Pop Sounds and Collaborations

Joni's 1982 album, Wild Things Run Fast, brought her back to pop songwriting. It included a remake of an Elvis song. During this time, she married bassist and sound engineer Larry Klein.

Mitchell performing in 1983.

In 1983, Joni went on her "Refuge" world tour, visiting many countries. A performance from this tour was released as a home video.

For her 1985 album, Dog Eat Dog, Joni worked with British musician Thomas Dolby to add synthesizers and electronic sounds. The album also featured songs with political themes.

Joni continued to experiment with electronic music on her 1988 album, Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm. She collaborated with many famous artists like Willie Nelson, Billy Idol, and Peter Gabriel. The album included songs about important social issues, like "Lakota."

In 1990, Joni performed in Roger Waters' The Wall Concert in Berlin. Her next album, Night Ride Home, was released in March 1991. It was well-received by critics and fans.

1994–1999: Return to Form and Personal Changes

Mitchell pets President Clinton's dog Buddy in the Oval Office in 1998.

Joni's 1994 album, Turbulent Indigo, was a big success and won a Grammy Award. This album came out around the time her marriage to Larry Klein ended. Songs like "Sunny Sunday" and "Borderline" were praised for their social commentary and guitar melodies.

In 1996, Joni released a greatest hits collection called Hits. She also released Misses, which featured some of her lesser-known songs.

Joni Mitchell and Peter Bogner listening to a music mix in 1999.

Her album Taming the Tiger was released in 1998. Joni promoted this album by returning to regular concerts, including a tour with Bob Dylan and Van Morrison.

Around this time, people noticed a change in Joni's voice. She explained that her voice had become huskier and her range had changed. She believed this was due to vocal issues and the lasting effects of polio, not her smoking habits. She felt her voice had gained a new, interesting alto range.

2000–2005: Orchestral Albums and Compilations

Joni's next two albums, Both Sides Now (2000) and Travelogue (2002), featured no new songs. Instead, she re-recorded her older songs and jazz standards with an orchestra. Both Sides Now was well-received and led to a short tour.

After Travelogue, Joni said it would be her last album. She expressed her unhappiness with the music industry. For the next few years, she only released compilations of her earlier work, like Dreamland (2004) and Songs of a Prairie Girl (2005). The latter celebrated her Canadian upbringing.

2006–2010: Shine and Later Recordings

In 2006, Joni revealed she was working on new songs. Her album Shine was released in September 2007. It was inspired by world events and her grandson's words. Shine debuted at number 14 on the Billboard charts, her highest position in over thirty years.

In 2008, Herbie Hancock, a friend of Joni's, released River: The Joni Letters, an album honoring her work. Joni herself contributed vocals to one song. This album won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, and Joni won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for a song from Shine.

Later Years and Return to Performing

2010–2022: Health and Archival Projects

Mitchell in 2013.

Joni Mitchell mostly focused on her visual art during this period. In March 2015, she experienced a serious health issue that required a long recovery. She underwent physical therapy to regain her strength.

After her recovery, Joni began approving archival projects. In 2018, a documentary about her 1970 concert was released. She also attended a concert celebrating her 75th birthday, where many artists performed her songs.

In 2019, Joni released Morning Glory on the Vine, a collection of her handwritten lyrics, poetry, and artwork. In 2020, she and Rhino Records started the Joni Mitchell Archives series, releasing unreleased material from her career. The first volume won a Grammy Award for Best Historical Album in 2022.

In January 2022, Joni asked Spotify to remove her music from their service. She did this to support her friend Neil Young, who was protesting misinformation on a popular podcast hosted by Spotify. She stated that "Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives."

In April 2022, Joni Mitchell was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy. She attended the awards ceremony in person.

Since 2022: Live Performances Return

Mitchell performing in 2023.

On July 24, 2022, Joni Mitchell made a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island. This was her first public performance in nine years. She joined a group of musicians, including Brandi Carlile, for a 13-song set.

Since 2017, Joni had been hosting private music sessions, called "Joni Jams," at her home. These sessions helped her recover and inspired her to sing and play guitar again. The Newport performance was a live version of these jams.

Joni received a huge welcome from the audience. She later said, "It gave me the bug for it." The Newport set was released as a live album in 2023 and won a Grammy Award in 2024.

On June 10, 2023, Joni Mitchell played her first headline concert in 23 years at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington State. She performed a nearly three-hour set with 19 other musicians. Annie Lennox called her "a visionary, a legend and an inspiration."

Joni was awarded the 2023 Gershwin Prize for her contributions to music. A concert was held in Washington, D.C., to celebrate her, with performances by many famous musicians. On February 4, 2024, she performed for the first time at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. More "Joni Jam" concerts were announced for October 2024 at the Hollywood Bowl.

On March 22, 2024, Joni Mitchell's music was restored to Spotify, following Neil Young's decision to do the same.

Musical Style and Influence

Guitar Playing Style

Joni Mitchell is known for her unique guitar playing. She uses many different "open tunings," which are non-standard ways of tuning the guitar strings. She has created songs using about 50 different tunings. This allows her to create rich and complex sounds.

She also developed her own way of strumming and picking the guitar, which became more rhythmic over time. In 1995, a special guitar system was created for her. It allowed her to change tunings electronically during live shows without having to re-tune her guitar.

Joni's early music was very innovative in its harmonies, using different musical modes and chords. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named her the 72nd-greatest guitarist of all time, making her the highest-ranked woman on the list.

Impact on Other Artists

Joni Mitchell's music has inspired many other artists. She showed that female artists could be complex and in control of their own art. She always kept the rights to her music, which was important for artistic freedom.

Many famous musicians have said Joni Mitchell influenced them, including Taylor Swift, Björk, Prince, Harry Styles, and Madonna. Madonna said Joni was the first female artist who truly spoke to her as a teenager.

Many artists have also covered Joni's songs. "Both Sides, Now" is her most covered song, with over 1,200 versions recorded. Judy Collins had a hit with it in 1967. "Big Yellow Taxi" is another popular song to cover, with versions by Counting Crows and Amy Grant. Janet Jackson even sampled "Big Yellow Taxi" in her 1997 song "Got 'Til It's Gone".

"River" has also become very popular, especially for holiday albums. Artists like Dianne Reeves and Sarah McLachlan have covered it. Other famous covers include "Woodstock" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and "A Case of You" by Tori Amos and Prince.

Joni Mitchell is also mentioned in songs by other artists. Graham Nash's song "Our House" is about his relationship with Joni. Led Zeppelin's "Going to California" is thought to be about their admiration for her. John Mayer mentions her and her album Blue in his song "Queen of California".

Awards and Recognition

Joni Mitchell's star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

Joni Mitchell has received many honors from her home country, Canada. She was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1981. In 1996, she received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canada's highest honor in the performing arts. She also has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame (2000) and was named a Companion of the Order of Canada (2002). In 2007, she was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Canada Post even featured her on a postage stamp in 2007.

Joni has won eleven Grammy Awards. Her first was in 1969, and her most recent was in 2024 for Best Folk Album. She received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.

In 1995, she received Billboard's Century Award. In 1996, she was awarded the Polar Music Prize. In 1997, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 2000, a special concert was held in New York City to celebrate Joni Mitchell. Many artists, including James Taylor and Elton John, sang her songs. Joni herself performed "Both Sides, Now" with an orchestra.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked her 42nd on their "100 Greatest Singers" list in 2008 and 9th on their "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time" list in 2015. In 2023, they ranked her 50th on their "200 Greatest Singers of All Time" list and 9th greatest guitarist of all time.

In 2010, "Both Sides, Now" was performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver. In 2013, a tribute concert was held in Toronto for her 70th birthday.

In 2018, the city of Saskatoon honored Joni by naming a walkway the Joni Mitchell Promenade. She also received the Les Paul Award in 2020, becoming the first woman to receive this honor.

In December 2021, Joni Mitchell received the Kennedy Center Honors for her lifetime achievements in the performing arts. In January 2023, she was named the recipient of the Gershwin Prize by the Library of Congress.

ASCAP Pop Awards

Grammy Awards

*Although officially a Herbie Hancock release, Mitchell also received a Grammy for her vocal contribution to the album.

Juno Awards

Pollstar Concert Industry Awards

Discography

Studio albums

See also

In Spanish: Joni Mitchell para niños