Joni Mitchell

Year:
1997
Inducted by:
Shawn Colvin
Category:
Performers

Introduction

A brilliant musician and creative nomad, letting her muse take her where it will.

Joni Mitchell is, first and foremost, an artist. Whether she is singing about televangelists or a love gone wrong, she treats each subject with equal finesse, elevating it with poetic lyrics and a celestial voice.

Shawn Colvin inducts Joni Mitchell

at the 1997 Induction Ceremony

Shawn Colvin inducts Joni Mitchell

00:06:58
Graham Nash Acceptance Speech On Behalf of Joni Mitchell

00:02:41
Shawn Colvin performs Joni Mitchell's "Free Man In Paris"

00:03:07
James Taylor performs Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock"

00:03:41

Hall of Fame Essay

1997

Patricia Romanowski

Joni Mitchell’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an event worthy of both celebration and reflection, a chance to finally dismiss some conventional wisdom about this unconventional artist and to acknowledge her unparalleled influence as a singer, songwriter, musician, poet and producer.

I doubt I’m alone in relishing the sweet poetic justice in our honoring the woman Rolling Stone crassly dubbed “Old Lady of the Tear” over two decades ago as one of the preeminent artists of this century.