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Joni Mitchell joined by Cyndi Lauper, Annie Lennox, and Lynda Carter as she is honored with The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize Print-ready version

by Brian Gallagher
Daily Mail
March 2, 2023

Honored: Joni Mitchell was honored for her legendary musical career with The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize on Wednesday night

Joni Mitchell was honored for her legendary musical career with The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize on Wednesday night.

The 79-year-old singer was honored at the annual event held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., with a number of luminaries joining her.

Others attending the event included musicians Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Brandi Carlile, Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe of Lucius, James Taylor, Paul Williams, Jess Wolf, Ledisi and actress Lynda Carter.

Carlile performed at the event, with a group of singers such as Holly Laessig, Jess Wolf, Brandi Carlile, Ledisi, Annie Lennox, Angelique Kidjo and Cyndi Lauper performing Joni Mitchell's iconic 1970 song Yellow Taxi.

The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song celebrates the work of an artist whose career reflects the influence, impact and achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding.

Mitchell stepped out at the event in a full-length teal gown that fell to her ankles with a gold beret and matching gold-framed sunglasses.

She accessorized with a number of gold necklaces and gold earrings, while her blonde locks in pigtails flowing past her shoulders.

The singer-songwriter completed her look with black heeled boots while taking the stage with a gold microphone.

Others who attended and performed at the gala included Herbie Hancock, Marcus Mumford, Graham Nash and Diana Krall.

The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song celebrates the work of an artist whose career reflects the influence, impact and achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding.

She was presented the award by the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden during the gala event.

The honor was announced in mid-January, coming nearly a year after she was honored at the Kennedy Center and earning the MusiCares Person of the Year.

'Joni Mitchell's music and artistry have left a distinct impression on American culture and internationally, crossing from folk music with a distinctive voice whose songs will stay with us for the ages,' said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.

'Joni Mitchell's music has so many artists and music lovers all singing her tunes,' Hayden added in her statement.

'This is a very prestigious award. Thank you for honoring me,' Mitchell herself said in a statement in January.

The event on Wednesday was filmed and will be airing as a tribute concert Friday, March 31 on PBS.

Mitchell was born in Fort McLeod, Alberta, Canada and started honing her craft in clubs across Canada before establishing herself in America.

Her 1971 album Blue is widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time, landing at the #3 spot in Rolling Stone's 2020 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

She has won 10 Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 and Best Historical Album for Joni Mitchell Archives - Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963 - 1967) in 2022.

Mitchell surprised fans in July 2022 by performing an entire set at the Newport Folk Festival, her first full set in over 20 years, alongside Brandi Carlile.

It was announced in October that Mitchell will perform at the Gorge Amphitheatre east of Seattle on June 10.

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Added to Library on March 2, 2023. (3108)

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