Former lovers and legendary rockers Jackson Browne and Joni Mitchell are locked in a bitter battle about an explosive song Mitchell penned for her "Turbulent Indigo" album.
Jackson says Joni's song "Not to Blame" is a vicious and unwarranted attack on him-written after Browne's ex-girlfriend Daryl Hannah accused him of beating her in 1992.
"They say you hit the girl you love the most," go the lyrics, which chastise, "Your charitable acts seem out of place/With the beauty with your fist marks on her face."
Mitchell never explicitly states the song is about Browne... but Browne is convinced it is.
Joni was busy in the recording studio and would not comment publicly on the song. But she told a friend: "Jackson thinks everything has to do with him. He needs to get life."
The rock heartthrob-who told an interviewer that Mitchell twice attacked him physically-called her song "100 percent wrong" and added: "She's not really well."
...But Ghetto kids are singing his praises
Jackson Browne may be a heel in the eyes of Joni Mitchell, but he's a hero to inner-city kids.
For the last two years, the folk-rock star has "adopted" the Hamilton High School Choir in Los Angeles. He counsels the teens, performs with them and helps them raise scholarship money through concerts and record sales.
What's more, thanks to Browne, every choir member who graduated last year is now attending college, even though many are from broken homes or were victims of abuse- and some even attempted suicide.
"Jackson Browne has literally saved the lives of many kids in the choir," said Evelyn Mahmud, a spokeswoman for the school.
"He has gone into their homes, interacting with their families and becoming a part of their lives.
"He's an inspiration."
And the students aren't the only ones celebrating this musical collaboration.
Jackson told a friend, "Seeing the kids accomplish their goals and go on to brighter futures has enriched my own life and music. This is pure pleasure, pure friendship."
Printed from the official Joni Mitchell website. Permanent link: https://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=205
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