Joan Baez’s 80th Birthday

January 9, 2021S P

Joan Baez, backstage at the Constellation Vote Rally, San Diego, 1971 – photo: Bob Fitch, courtesy Stanford University Libraries

Celebrating the 80th birthday today of the legendary folk singer and peace activist, Joan Baez 

Check out our birthday posting from back in 2016 – here 

Mischief Makers 2 – her second solo show as a visual artist, “showcasing her portraits of people making the world a better place”, opened three days ago, January 6, at the Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley, and runs through February 14

A reception will take place, live-streamed at 5:30 p.m. (PST) this evening, (featuring an interview with Baez, a virtual tour of the show, and “other festivities and “mischief” to mark this milestone occasion”). Tickets are available (with a three dollar service charge) – see here

Liz Thomson‘s Joan Baez- The Last Leaf  was published this past October

Reviews of the book (“I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that this is a book destined to become the definitive word on the life and times of Joan Baez”) – here – and here 

Read an excerpt from it – here 

Joan’s most recent release was  Whistle Down The Wind (2018), “her 25th and final studio album”. Here‘s Neil Spencer’s review in The Guardian.

Here’s her (live in Verona) singing the title track:

And here’s her in 2020 singing Bob Dylan’s Forever Young:

7 comments

  3. You were my youth! Your music still brings tears, joy, love and passion to live in peace. I am 70 so at 80 you are my inspiration that we can still make a difference in the world. Thank you so much!

    Reply

  4. You were my college days! Saw you live at”Dylan and Friends “ concert in early ‘70s. You controlled the stage with a simple raised hand. I had never seen such power displayed by a woman. That simple gesture set my mind on fire. Listened last night to “Forever Young” and felt the power again. Happy birthday blessings!! Keep pointing all of us forward.

    Reply

  6. Happy Birthday Joan, from your 1958 Paly High classmate, Terry Wagener, now living on Bainbridge Island in Washington. I am
    remembering Dr. Denaise’s (sp?) French classes, riding behind you on your Vespa, sitting on your lawn in Palo Alto, you writing in my year book that you loved George Leontovich my boyfriend also, and much more.
    Yes, please stay Forever Young.
    Thank you for being you.
    Love and good memories,
    Terry

    Reply

  7. Cuando estuve preso en 1971 en Valencia por objetor de conciencia noviolentos, Joan Baez hizo dos conciertos en Europa para apoyarnos. Mi agradecimiento y mis dedos de larga y feliz vida. Seguimos luchando contra las guerras y por un mundo justo y pacífico.
    Pepe Beunza.

    Reply

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