Joni Mitchell attends the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Frazer Harrison/Getty image for The Recording Academy
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Frazer Harrison/Getty image for The Recording Academy
Joni Mitchell is this year’s winner of Gershwin Award for Popular Song from the Library of Congress. Since the lifetime achievement award was established in 2007, it has been exclusively open to A-list celebrities such as Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, and Stevie Wonder. Lionel Richie.
Mitchell is the third woman to be recognized, after Carole King in 2013 and Gloria Estefan (with her husband Emilio) in 2019.
Since emerging from the Canadian cafe scene nearly 60 years ago, Mitchell has been a breakout vocalist in folk music and beyond, with records like Blue, Cloud and Lady of the canyon.
“The music and art of Joni Mitchell has left a distinct impression on American and international culture, transcending folk music with a distinctive voice whose songs will stay with us through the ages.” ages,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement. “Joni Mitchell’s music is filled with artists and music lovers all sing her tunes. We are honored to award the Gershwin Award to this musical genius.”
“This is a very prestigious award,” Mitchell said in a Library of Congress press release. “Thank you for honoring me.”
The awards will be presented during a concert scheduled to be broadcast nationally on PBS on March 31.
