Joni Mitchell, the legendary Canadian-American singer-songwriter, made her debut performance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, singing her iconic song “Both Sides Now.” Despite having won nearly 60 Grammys throughout her career, this was the first time Mitchell had ever performed at the awards show.
The song choice was particularly poignant, as it was featured on her first-ever Grammy-winning album, “Clouds,” which won in 1969. Joni Mitchell performed the song in her signature “Joni Jam” style. She was seated on a throne with her cane, surrounded by all-star accompanists, including Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell, Jacob Collier, Lucius, Sista Strings, and Blake Mills.
The performance followed an emotional moment at the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony, where Joni Mitchell won her 10th career Grammy for Best Folk Album for “Joni Mitchell at Newport [Live],” produced by Carlile.
Also Read: Grammy Awards 2024: Who Won and Why?
In introducing Joni Mitchell on the telecast, Carlile praised her as one of the most influential and emotionally generous creators in human history, who redefined the purpose of a song to reflect the contents of a person’s soul. Carlile also spoke about Mitchell’s resilience, having survived poverty, polio, and a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 2015.
Joni Mitchell has gradually returned to live performances in recent years, having participated in informal musical gatherings at her home, which came to be referred to as “Joni jams.” She has since made several public concert appearances, including a surprise “Joni jam” at the Newport Folk Festival 2022, captured on her currently Grammy-nominated live album.
Mitchell’s previous Grammy wins span a period from 1969 to 2022, with her only win in one of the top four general categories coming at the 50th annual Grammys, where she was one of the multiple winners of Album of the Year for “River: The Joni Letters,” as one of the guest singers on Herbie Hancock’s tribute album.
Joni Mitchell’s Perfomance
Mitchell’s legacy as a singer-songwriter and her contributions to the music industry have been widely recognized, and her debut performance at the Grammy Awards was a long-awaited moment for fans and fellow musicians alike.
Also Read: Exclusive NEWS: Grammy Winner 2024 Killer Mike Arrested for Alleged Tax Evasion
