Joni Mitchell, Kennedy Ctr Award: Singer Talks Health Issues, Rare Public Speech, (Other Awardees)

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- Joni Mitchell and Lorne Michaels Among Artists Celebrated By Joe Biden At Kennedy Center Honors,
https://etcanada.com/news/844697/canadas-joni-mitchell-lorne-michaels-among-artists-celebrated-by-joe-biden-at-kennedy-center-honors/
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- Joni Mitchell: ‘I’m hobbling along but I’m doing all right.’ Singer discusses health difficulties in rare public speech as she accepts Kennedy Center award. The Guardian, Dec. 6, 2021.

Joni Mitchell addressed her health difficulties in a rare public speech as she accepted her Kennedy Center Honor, one of the most prestigious awards in American cultural life. At a ceremony attended by Joe Biden – in a show of support for the arts after the awards were snubbed by Donald Trump – Mitchell discussed the issues she’s faced in the wake of an aneurysm in 2015 that left her temporarily unable to walk or talk.

“I always think that polio was a rehearsal for the rest of my life,” she said, referring to the disease she suffered aged nine. “I’ve had to come back several times from things. And this last one was a real whopper. But, you know, I’m hobbling along but I’m doing all right!”

She described the award as “a fantastic honour … enjoy yourselves, I’m gonna go back and sit down!”
Mitchell hasn’t released a studio album since 2007’s Shine, though two volumes of an ongoing archival project have been released in recent years.

In a conversation with Cameron Crowe that was included on the album Joni Mitchell Archives Vol 1: The Early Years (1963-1967) and published in the Guardian, she spoke more about her health. Mitchell said she was “just inching my way along. I’m showing slow improvement but moving forward … the aneurysm took away a lot more [than polio], really. Took away my speech and my ability to walk. And, you know, I got my speech back quickly, but the walking I’m still struggling with. But I mean, I’m a fighter. I’ve got Irish blood!”

This year’s other recipients at the 44th Kennedy Center Honors were opera singer Justino Díaz, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels and singer Bette Midler...

More, https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/06/joni-mitchell-health-kennedy-center-award

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1. One Of Joni's Albums

changed my life.

A legendary discography.

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2. Joni's music has been a distinct part of my life too.

I remember the songs and associate her music with periods of youth, love and freedom.

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3. Spent most of my liquid assets at the time on

Ladies of the Canyon. Still have the album and others. Court and Spark special too.

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4. Video, 44th Kennedy Center Honors: CBS Report:

- Kennedy Center Honors celebrates cultural icons after ceremony limited by COVID-19 last year. Dec 6, 2021. CBS Mornings.

The 44th Kennedy Center Honors celebrated the careers of opera singer Justino Diaz, “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels, folk songwriter and singer Joni Mitchell, actress and singer Bette Midler and Motown founder Berry Gordy. **The event will air December 22 on CBS. Vladimir Duthiers reports.