How education and upbringing influenced the life of Joni Mitchell. A timeline of key moments.
Joni Mitchell is a highly influential Canadian-American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and painter, emerging from the 1960s with personal lyrics and unconventional compositions. Her style evolved to incorporate pop, jazz, and other genres. She has received numerous accolades, including eleven Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Mitchell is considered a pivotal figure in late 20th-century music.
November 7, 1943: Joni Mitchell's Birth
On November 7, 1943, Roberta Joan Anderson, later known as Joni Mitchell, was born. She is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and painter.
1963: Enrolled at Alberta College of Art
In 1963, Joni Mitchell attended the Alberta College of Art in Calgary.
1964: Decision to Become a Folk Singer
In 1964, Joni Mitchell told her mother that she intended to be a folk singer in Toronto and left western Canada.
1964: Pregnancy
In late 1964, Joni Mitchell discovered that she was pregnant by her Calgary ex-boyfriend Brad MacMath.
February 1965: Birth of Daughter
In February 1965, Joni Mitchell gave birth to a baby girl, Kelly Dale Anderson, and placed her for adoption.
April 1965: Travel to the US
In late April 1965, Joni Mitchell left Canada and traveled to the US with Chuck Mitchell.
June 1965: Marriage to Chuck Mitchell
In June 1965, Joni Mitchell, at 21 years old, married Chuck Mitchell in an official ceremony in his hometown and took his surname.
1967: Newport Folk Festival Debut
In 1967, Joni Mitchell first played at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, a key early performance in her career.
1967: Divorce and Move to New York
In early 1967, the marriage and partnership of Joni and Chuck Mitchell ended with their divorce, and she moved to New York City to pursue her musical career as a solo artist.
1971: Release of Blue and "Little Green"
In 1971, Joni Mitchell released her album Blue, which included the song "Little Green", alluding to her experience with adoption.
1975: Vocal Range Shift
Around 1975, Joni Mitchell's vocal range began to shift from mezzo-soprano to that of a wide-ranging contralto.
1976: Cross-Country Journey and Hejira Composition
In 1976, Joni Mitchell traveled across the country and composed several songs during her journey, which featured on her album "Hejira".
1982: Marriage to Larry Klein and Wild Things Run Fast Album
In 1982, Joni Mitchell married Larry Klein and released "Wild Things Run Fast", marking a return to pop songwriting.
1982: "Chinese Cafe" Release
In 1982, Joni Mitchell released the album Wild Things Run Fast, which included the song "Chinese Cafe", referencing her child.
1993: Public Knowledge of Daughter
In 1993, the existence of Joni Mitchell's daughter became publicly known after a roommate sold the story to a tabloid magazine.
1994: Turbulent Indigo Release and Grammy Win
In 1994, Joni Mitchell released "Turbulent Indigo", which won a Grammy Award and coincided with the end of her marriage to Larry Klein.
1997: Reunion with Daughter
In 1997, Joni Mitchell and her daughter, Kilauren Gibb, met for the first time.
2004: Voice Change Discussion
In 2004, Joni Mitchell discussed the changes in her voice, attributing them to vocal nodules, a compressed larynx, and the effects of polio, rather than smoking.
2006: Home division statement
In 2006, Joni Mitchell stated that Los Angeles is her workplace and British Columbia is her heartbeat.
2009: Diagnosis of Morgellons and Potential Retirement
In 2009, Joni Mitchell stated she had Morgellons and that she would leave the music industry to work toward giving more credibility to people who suffer from Morgellons.
2011: Focus on Visual Art
Since 2011, Joni Mitchell has focused mainly on her visual art, which she displays only on rare occasions.
2013: Luminato Festival Tribute Concerts
In 2013, the Luminato Festival in Toronto held tribute concerts entitled Joni: A Portrait in Song – A Birthday Happening Live at Massey Hall on June 18 and 19 to celebrate Joni Mitchell's 70th birthday, featuring performances by various artists and Mitchell herself.
2013: Feminist Views
In a 2013 interview, Joni Mitchell rejected the label of "feminist," expressing her preference for direct engagement rather than a collective stance against men.
March 2015: Brain Aneurysm Rupture
In March 2015, Joni Mitchell suffered a brain aneurysm rupture, which required physical therapy and rehabilitation.
2015: Brain Aneurysm
In 2015, Joni Mitchell experienced the rupture of a brain aneurysm, leading to a long period of recovery and therapy.
2015: Suffered Aneurysm
In 2015, Joni Mitchell suffered a serious and disabling aneurysm that impacted her health and career.
August 2016: Public Appearance at Chick Corea Concert
In August 2016, Joni Mitchell made her first public appearance following the aneurysm at a Chick Corea concert in Los Angeles.
2017: "Joni Jams" Begin
In 2017, inspired by Eric Andersen's visit, Joni Mitchell began hosting monthly music sessions at her home in Laurel Canyon, known as "Joni Jams," which Brandi Carlile helped organize, attracting famous musicians.
November 2018: Learning to Walk Again
In November 2018, David Crosby said that Joni Mitchell was learning to walk again after her aneurysm.
2018: Honoured by the city of Saskatoon
In 2018, Joni Mitchell was honoured by the city of Saskatoon with plaques commemorating her musical beginnings and the naming of the Joni Mitchell Promenade.
2021: Return to Public Appearances
In 2021, Joni Mitchell returned to public appearances, accepting several awards in person, including a Kennedy Center Honor.
July 2022: Return to Live Performance
In July 2022, Joni Mitchell made a triumphant return to live performance at the Newport Festival with Brandi Carlile, marking her first public performance in nine years, following her aneurysm in 2015.
October 19, 2022: "Joni Jam 2" Concert Announcement
On October 19, 2022, Brandi Carlile announced that Joni Mitchell would perform a headline concert, "Joni Jam 2", at the Gorge Amphitheatre on June 10, 2023.
January 12, 2023: Named Gershwin Prize Recipient
On January 12, 2023, Joni Mitchell was named by the Library of Congress as that year's Gershwin Prize recipient, with a concert delivered on March 2 in Washington, D.C., in honour of the award.
June 10, 2023: Headline Concert at Gorge Amphitheatre
On June 10, 2023, Joni Mitchell performed a nearly three-hour set at the Gorge Amphitheatre, marking her first headline concert in 23 years since 2000.
February 4, 2024: Grammy Awards Performance
On February 4, 2024, Joni Mitchell performed for the first time at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
March 22, 2024: Return to Spotify
On March 22, 2024, Joni Mitchell restored her music to Spotify, ending her protest over the platform's hosting of The Joe Rogan Experience, following Neil Young's similar decision.