A serious illness, an intense recovery and a triumphant return: the time Joni Mitchell had to learn to play the guitar again

A November 7, 1943 was born Joni Mitchellone of the most prolific artists in music. His beautiful compositions with lyrics full of feelings captivated everyone when he broke out in 1968. A sweet voice flourished among folk guitars, with original melodies and messages to transmit.

The Canadian was highlighted for works such as Bluehis 1971 album, in which you can appreciate his talent at its finest. A smoker since she was 9, her particular style of singing caught the attention of David Crosby, who helped her career take off. His folk stage evolved and took elements of jazz, pop and rock.

Her relationship with art began at a very young age, although His connection with music was changeable: he fell in love when he was young, he fought, he transformed it and finally he disappeared.. After decades of career, in 2007 he presented shinewhich would be his last album. Eight years later, would go through one of the worst episodes of his life.

What happened to Joni Mitchell in 2015

In 2015, Mitchell suffered a brain aneurysma disease that almost cost him his life and that had repercussions for years to come. In fact, she herself stated: “I’m improving little by little, but I’m still moving forward… The aneurysm took away a lot from me, my ability to speak, to walk… I recovered my speaking skills relatively quickly, but I still have difficulty walking. But I am a fighter, I have Irish blood.”

Not only that, she also had to reunite once again with the instrument that accompanied her throughout her life: the guitar. Through old videos of her playing she learned how to play it again. Rehabilitation took time, but he managed to recover. Furthermore, illnesses were not something new in his life, since at nine he suffered from poliowhich could have caused irreversible paralysis.

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In fact, It left his left hand quite weak, which at first seemed like a problem when learning to play the string instrument.. However, this was resolved from try different guitar tuningssomething by which his music would later be characterized.

His retirement from music in 2009 was not only due to his disenchantment with it, but because he had also suffered from Morgellons diseasea condition considered a mental health disorder that leads the patient to consider that they have an infection caused by an external agent and that leads to the appearance of skin lesions.

In short, her life was marked by illnesses that left a profound mark on her. However, at some point, she had to return to where she had always been happy: the stage.

Presentation at the 2024 Grammys, the return of a music icon

Her years of isolation only reminded her of the passion she had for music. After receiving visits from close colleagues, Mitchell surprised everyone in 2022, when performed a set of songs at the iconic Newport Folk Festival. Reviewing great hits and accompanied by a band of friends called The Joni Jam, the artist, now in a wheelchair, once again appeared before the eyes of the world in what would be released as Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live).

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Earlier this year, Mitchell was nominated for Grammy for Best Folk Album for the album mentioned above and he ended up getting it. However, that victory was not the one that was applauded the most that night, since moments later, the music took the stage to perform Both Sides Nowone of her most acclaimed songs, accompanied by Brandi Carlile and other musicians.

Carlile expressed after that moment: “Whether we know it or not, any of us who has ever dreamed of becoming a songwriter has done so in the footsteps of Joni Mitchell.: Joni is one of the most influential and emotionally generous creators in the history of human history.” The 2024 Grammys meant the triumphant return of an eternal artist.