Joni Mitchell's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Joni Mitchell. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1969: First Grammy Award

In 1969, Joni Mitchell received her first Grammy Award.

March 1970: Grammy Award

In March 1970, Joni Mitchell's Clouds produced her first Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance.

1970: Top Female Performer

For 1970, Joni Mitchell was voted "Top Female Performer" by Melody Maker, a leading UK pop music magazine.

January 1975: Grammy Nominations and Win

In January 1975, Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark" received four Grammy Award nominations. Mitchell won the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals.

January 1976: Grammy Nomination for The Hissing of Summer Lawns

In January 1976, Joni Mitchell received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the album "The Hissing of Summer Lawns".

1981: Inducted into Canadian Music Hall of Fame

In 1981, Joni Mitchell was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

1993: Lifetime Achievement Award

In 1993, The Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association bestowed upon Joni their Lifetime Achievement Award.

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.

1995: Billboard Century Award

In 1995, Joni Mitchell received Billboard's Century Award.

1996: Polar Music Prize

In 1996, Joni Mitchell was awarded the Polar Music Prize.

1996: Governor General's Award

In 1996, Mitchell received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts.

1997: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1997, Joni Mitchell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to music.

1997: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

In 1997, Joni Mitchell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

April 6, 2000: All-star celebration at the Hammerstein Ballroom

On April 6, 2000, TNT presented an all-star celebration at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City in tribute to Joni Mitchell, featuring performances of her songs by various artists, and Mitchell herself performing "Both Sides, Now".

2000: Star on Canada's Walk of Fame

In 2000, Joni Mitchell received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

2002: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2002, Joni Mitchell received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

2002: Companion of the Order of Canada

In 2002, she was named a Companion of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honour.

2003: Greatest Guitarists List

In 2003, Rolling Stone named Joni Mitchell the 72nd-greatest guitarist of all time, making her the highest-ranked woman on the list.

2004: Honorary Doctorate from McGill University

In 2004, she received an honorary doctorate in music from McGill University.

January 2007: Inducted into Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

In January 2007, Joni Mitchell was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

June 2007: Featured on Canada Post Stamp

In June 2007, Canada Post featured Joni Mitchell on a postage stamp.

February 10, 2008: Grammy Win for Herbie Hancock and Joni Mitchell

On February 10, 2008, Herbie Hancock's recording won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, and Joni Mitchell won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Pop Performance.

2008: Ranked on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers"

In 2008, Joni Mitchell was ranked 42nd on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers" list.

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.

May 2015: Absence from SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award Gala

Due to health problems, Joni Mitchell did not attend the San Francisco gala in May 2015 to receive the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award.

2015: Ranked on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Songwriters"

In 2015, Joni Mitchell was ranked ninth on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time".

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.

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.

2020: Recipient of the Les Paul Award

In 2020, Joni Mitchell received the Les Paul Award, becoming the first woman to be so honoured.

December 4, 2021: Kennedy Center Honor

On December 4, 2021, Joni Mitchell received the Kennedy Center Honor for a lifetime of achievement in the performing arts at the Medallion Ceremony, held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

2021: Return to Public Appearances

In 2021, Joni Mitchell returned to public appearances, accepting several awards in person, including a Kennedy Center Honor.

2021: Grammy Award Nomination

In 2021, Joni Mitchell was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album, for her Archives, Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963–1967) collection.

April 1, 2022: MusiCares Person of the Year Honor

On April 1, 2022, Joni Mitchell was honoured as the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy.

April 3, 2022: Grammy Award Win

On April 3, 2022, Joni Mitchell won the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album for her Archives, Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963–1967) collection.

April 2022: Grammy Award for Best Historical Album

In April 2022 Joni Mitchell received a Grammy Award for 'Best Historical Album' for the release of Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 1.

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.

July 24, 2022: Newport Folk Festival Appearance

On July 24, 2022, Joni Mitchell made an unannounced appearance at the Newport Folk Festival, marking her return to the stage since her performance there in 1967. She joined Brandi Carlile and Friends, contributing to a 13-song set and playing electric guitar.

2022: MusiCares Person of the Year

In 2022, Joni Mitchell was named as MusiCares Person of the Year.

January 1, 2023: Ranked on Rolling Stone's "200 Greatest Singers of All Time"

On January 1, 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Joni Mitchell as number 50 on its list of "The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time".

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.

2023: Gershwin Prize Awarded

In 2023, Joni Mitchell was awarded the Gershwin Prize for her contributions to popular music, celebrated with a concert on March 2 in Washington, D.C.