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Joni Mitchell Slams Bob Dylan, Madonna

Posted by Angelina Irinici on April 24th, 2010

Joni Mitchell emerged out of nowhere to hate on some of her counterparts, according to PerezHilton.

The 66-year-old legendary folk queen, who has been keeping to herself lately, had some not very nice things to say about Bob Dylan Madonna and others. What could someone have to say about those two? Well, Ms. Mitchell did, and here’s what she said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times:

“Bob is not authentic at all. He’s a plagiarist, and his name and voice are fake. Everything about Bob is a deception. We are like night and day, he and I.”

She may have been referring to the controversy in 2006 over Dylan’s album Modern Times. Critics believed his lyrics borrowed too much from poet Henry Timrod, and Dylan made no acknowledgement in his album’s sleeve notes.

Mitchell also criticized Madonna’s cultural influence.

“Americans have decided to be stupid and shallow since 1980. Madonna is like Nero; she marks the turning point,” she said.

She didn’t stop there – in her interview she also attacked Grace Slick and Janis Joplin, saying they were “[sleeping with] their whole bands and falling down drunk.”

She could however manage to say one nice thing, she called Jimi Hendrix “the sweetest guy.”

How sweet, Joni.

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Categories: Music


  • Madhawk

    Joni has been mad at Bob since the 60's when Bob wouldn't doink her. Get over it.

  • Sam

    Actually, I think Joni's remarks are valid. She's been in the middle of the music scene for so long, seh's seen it all. She's not just talented, but quiet intelligent. I give her credit for never selling out, for never dumbing down, never compromising and for never becoming a media whore like so many others.

  • jimpittman

    Sounds like PMS or menopause has taken over what little brains Joni Mitchell ever had. Compared to the people she has slammed, she's nothing more than an over-raterd singer with a couple of good hits in her entire musical career. As a child of the 60's I can recall the shakers and movers of the era. I've attended concerts and heard Dylan, Joplin, Slick and Mitchell and almost all of the mega-stars of the 60's. She is best decribed as a third string singer trying to hand with the pros. Mitchell managed to appeal to a small segment of people who were either into growing canabis in the canyons of California or camping out in teepees. Like Buffy St. Marie and others, she was just another over-rated pop-star who was best left in the obscurity from whence she has recently come.

  • Potsdam

    Finally someone has said it.. Bob Dylan is a joke and a fraud. His real last name is Zimmerman. He can't sing, can't play worth a damn and writes grade school poetry. Somehow.. through fate and the glaring stupidity and tone deafness of his audience he's fashioned a career. I always thought Neil Young was a thousand times better.

    • keep in mind

      And Joni Mitchell is not her real name either. I like Neil Young too, but I don’t know of any grade school kid who has the perspective to write “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” or “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” or, well, pretty much most of his stuff. It’s very hypocritical of you to talk about Bob Dylan’s lacking vocals and musicianship when Neil Young has been similiarily criticized throughout his career.

      • Potsdam

        Perspective? You have to be kidding me.. even the titles of the two songs you mention prove that Dylan was and is a complete fraud and hack. ” A Hard Rain’s a- gonna Fall”.. oooo so deep… where do you think bumbling Bob got that from? He’s been ripping off black music for years.. He sounds like what he is.. some moron trying to sound deep. What is the most oft quoted Dylan lyric? “These times.. they are a changin” No freaking kidding.. can you write anything more obvious than that.. and it gets bandied about like it’s the most meaningful thing ever written when it’s complete, obvious crap. Dylan clearly won “life’s lottery” and a generation has been bamboozeled into thinking he’s deep when he’s shallower than a dew drop of dishwater.

        • Guest

          “These times…they are a changin’.”

          The simplest lines sum up life. And you completely ignored the fact that you criticized that Bob Dylan isn’t in fact his real name when “keep in mind” pointed out the same thing about Joni Mitchell. Small detail, sure, but it still counts if you went out of your way to point out that that small fact somehow made him a fraud. Doesn’t that make Joni Mitchell a fraud too?

  • Larry

    she's right, americans have become cultural robots

  • http://spoutingpoetry.com Folkwolf101

    Good for her! Tell it like it is. Bob Dylan has long lived the graces of the emperor without clothes. He steals, fakes sentimental, and hides behind ambiguity and vagueness.

  • Paul Macca

    You must be smoking some of the cannibis you were referring to! Slick, nor Joplin could not compose anything close to the masterpieces Joni composed. They primarily sang other peoples compositions and they both could not come anywhere close to Joni's voice and musical range.
    Additionally, have you ever heard either of them play a guitar?
    My jury is still out on Dylan's validity, however Joni can write better and play better; next to Annie Lennox she is one of the greats of all time. Both are far from the “pop” moniker you gave her. Try comparing her to Joan Baez. Not a sreamer like janis or a dreamer like gracie!

    Long Live Joni!

    • DAW

      Ahhh, but no one screamed better, or more passionately as Janis. :) When it comes to her, all other women artist’s fade in the background…unless we talk about Aritha Franklin.

  • Trudy Jolean

    Nothing wrong with Joni. It doesn't matter if she has as many hits as the people she commented about. She's seen it all and has the cred to speak about it and for it to be taken as reliable. Dylan has some good songs but is hardly the uber-cool dude that everyone thnks he is. And Madonna?? She is the classic whore that made America pay big $$$$ to phuckkk her and grovel at her feet. A true kunt… and now Britain is licking her azz. Sad.

  • enough already

    Keep talkin Mitchell, I for one am listening. Dylan, second only to the Beatles catalogue wise and power wise in my book, was definitely a hustler. Slick was a slut. Janis I feel sorry for you.

  • http://spoutingpoetry.com Folkwolf101

    PMS issues? You must be on Team Dylan.

  • Emile Zola

    Sour grapes, any one? I never heard of this woman, but I heard plenty of those she criticized. Aren't we a lot envious? U betcha!

  • Ken

    Joni said it like it about the people she has first hand knowledge of. Nuf said.

  • Scupper

    Hahahaaa … never heard of her??? I'll bet you don't know who Emile Zola is either!

  • Elizabeth

    Those who were there when Joni was big know she speaks the absolute truth!

  • penny

    Joni's right. We make idols out of pathetic people whose only claim to fame is
    their self-obsession. Joni Mitchell has contributed mountains to music (and more to charity) and she's never grabbed headlines by masturbating on stage (Madonna), o.d.ing on booze and drugs (Janis) or performing in Germany and calling the audience a bunch of Nazis (Slick). And her lyrics are all hers.

  • penny

    Joni's right. We make idols out of pathetic people whose only claim to fame is
    their self-obsession. Joni Mitchell has contributed mountains to music (and more to charity) and she's never grabbed headlines by masturbating on stage (Madonna), o.d.ing on booze and drugs (Janis) or performing in Germany and calling the audience a bunch of Nazis (Slick). And her lyrics are all hers.

  • penny

    Joni's right. We make idols out of pathetic people whose only claim to fame is
    their self-obsession. Joni Mitchell has contributed mountains to music (and more to charity) and she's never grabbed headlines by masturbating on stage (Madonna), o.d.ing on booze and drugs (Janis) or performing in Germany and calling the audience a bunch of Nazis (Slick). And her lyrics are all hers.

  • petermar

    Why print this garbage..Mitchell doesn't give one fact to back-up her aimless rant – she's obviously hard-up for publicity. Go back in your hole, Joni, and continue to do what your husband tells you to = hopefully to keep your mouth shut.

  • petermar

    Why print this garbage..Mitchell doesn't give one fact to back-up her aimless rant – she's obviously hard-up for publicity. Go back in your hole, Joni, and continue to do what your husband tells you to = hopefully to keep your mouth shut.

  • petermar

    Why print this garbage..Mitchell doesn't give one fact to back-up her aimless rant – she's obviously hard-up for publicity. Go back in your hole, Joni, and continue to do what your husband tells you to = hopefully to keep your mouth shut.

  • suthrn2687

    joni has expressed her opinion,nothing more. yes,some may agree with it,but in the end ,it is an opinion. makes one question why now,or why at all?
    perhaps she just wants to set the record straight,as least the record as she sees it. there are different views on what comprises musical talent and ability. i respect her point of view…but,see paragraph 1 above. i do however,love big yellow taxi,help me,and free man in paris!

  • jim mccollum

    I'm so glad to hear this from someone who is as highly qualified to make the same call
    that I have harbored for many years. And the stupidity of the 80's has matured and bred
    into its offspring the pinnacle of mediocrity as the standard in today's so-called music as evident
    in the likes of The Black-eyed Peas and American Idiot..errr, I mean Idol. I long for the days when one could attend a local bar or coffee house venue and see better local musical talent than
    can now be seen on national television. The youth have no clue when it comes to music.

  • rob

    What absolute garbage!!

  • penny

    Sorry, you don't know much about music, jim. JM is on countless records by other people as a composer, singer and musician…often without credit. Some artists don't care about the spotlight, just the music.

  • Gary Bonura

    I love Joni's music, always have. And yes, she's entitled to her opinion. Regarding Madonna, I probably agree, and would probably go several steps further. Her (Madonna's) biggest area of genius is self promotion. Her music? Trite, inconsequential. Her voice? Average. She's a good dancer who was in the right place at the right time. Her influence on music? Zero. Maybe a minor influence on style in a very narrow time period, like 1985-1985 1/2. Now, regarding Dylan, I'm in total disagreement with Joni. Of course, this is MY opinion. But what I see is a woman approaching old age who's looking to aggrandize her OWN accomplishments by knocking Dylan. Dylan's performance is a matter of taste. Up until the mid '80's or so, I could tolerate it. But lately he sounds like sandpaper on speed, rushing through his songs. But as a songwriter? Sorry, Joni, not you or anyone can touch Bob. His songs have stood the test of time, his songs have been performed by many many others. But, as I said, it's your opinion, and if it gives you comfort, c'est la vie.

  • Mark David

    As crazy as it sounds I think Joni Mitchell is absolutely right. In the 60s Dylan wrote a lot of anti-war songs but he was never political himself. He just cashed the check. I love a lot of his work, but he's kind of a hypocrite.

    As for Madonna, I really don't care about her music or her pointless views on anything. She's an entertainer and that's it. She hardly wrote any music and couldn't possibly be in the same league as The Beatles, Carol King, Joni Mitchell or Brian Wilson.

  • TRICKY

    Joni mitchell idiot then idiot now. Who cares what her opinion is. Bob who is still rockin?
    Madonna? And why dis Janis? Bitter old beyatch

  • theotja

    amazing, the parking lot beeatch? nuf said

  • Don Porterfield

    I will revert to Shakespeare: Much ado about nothing period.

  • Annie

    Common, Madonna allowed Joni Mitchell to drop her pants at every other bar, get layed, that's right LAYED while having a respectable job and a man who can satisfy in bed and still be romantic too. Prior to Madonna, you got high then layed and still had to do dishes and take care of babies. Madonna empowered women thru example. Take control of your sexual bodies ladies, it is “yours.” Your virginity is yours (what do you think: Like a Virgin is about for God's sake??), your sexuality is yours, go and enjoy like an empowered, in control woman.

  • keep in mind

    While Joni Mitchell has a point about Madonna, she, along with the previous posters here, seems to have overlooked the obvious truth that, whether you love him or hate him, without Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell wouldn't have had the career she's enjoyed for the past 40 years. Before Bob Dylan, songwriters like Joni Mitchell were writing stuff for other singers to perform and record. Dylan opened the door for those like her to start singing their own stuff and subsequently give a voice to a generation. Dylan was the bridge from the old school folkies, blues singers and topical singer-songwriters like Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly and Pete Seeger, and the younger aspiring musicians still trying to find their place. You cannot dismiss his influence. I like Neil Young too, but, again, he was influenced by Dylan. As was The Band, who, like fellow Canadians Neil Young and yes Joni Mitchell would not have had careers without Bob Dylan. They all even appeared together on stage during The Band's farewell concert singing Dylan's “I Shall Be Released.” Now while Bob Dylan hasn't really been relevant for at least 30 years, his impact on music is undeniable, and if you can't see that, then you don't know what you're talking about. By the way I also like Janis Joplin and even some of Joni Mitchell's stuff. And yes, I know, Levon Helm is from Arkansas not Canada.

    • Potsdam

      Let me tell you something.. if it wasn’t for Albert Grossman.. Bob Zimmerman would be hauling trash. Dylan’s impact on music is very deniable. The Band wouldn’t have had a career if a: Robbie Robertson couldn’t write, b: If Albert Grossman hadn’t got them a deal
      c: a girl who worked for Grossman hadn’t mentioned them to Bob when he was looking for an electric band of unknowns. Now ask yourself.. why would Zimmerman want a band of unknowns when he could have chosen anyone. Because they wouldn’t hog the spotlight, b: they were cheaper to hire and c: they would do whatever he said.

  • Gnossos P.

    While I agree with Joni about Madonna, she doesn't have the moral authority to be annointed a judge of right and wrong. Does anyone remember the outrage over her song, “Furry Sings The Blues”? Essentially she was condemned by the subject of that piece, an older Beale Street musician for using him as inspiration for nocompensation, and making a bunch of money. I remember a quote from him saying she never threw a cent his way when “Hejira” hit the stores. That doesn't prevent me from appreciating the work as amazing, in great part due to Jaco Pastorius' bass artistry, but it does prevent me from giving Joni Mitchell credence as an advocate for impeccable behavior, as she's apparently attempting to do in Dylan's case.. We don't get to pick and choose which morality issues are valid and which aren't.

  • Jonisanidiot

    Is Joni Mitchell even relevent anymore? Here time has come and gone.

  • Tony

    What ablum did Jaco Pastorius' play on with Joni.I did a quick Google search and the article said he passed away???I remember seeing a documentary film-the name escapes me-about Bob Dylan and some controversy concerning an artist who Dylan got his style from.

  • DAW

    Bob doesn't care. Have you read his Chronicles? He couldn't stand the hypocrites who wanted to use him for their mouth piece when he just wanted to do his own thing. Did he really owe anyone anything? She just sounds hurt. He must have pissed her off somewhere along the way. Maybe he didn't acknowledge her or something. I like her work, like his too. Maybe they are at ends of the spectrum. Sounds like she's talking about the past. I actually like his stuff more now. She's right to her jag, but please, when someone is successful, gave people something to enjoy, let it be.

  • Tony

    PS The Doc Film might have been about Woody Guthrie.I'm not really into Folk what are some of the clasics songs and artists.I have a CD by Janis Janis which I really enjoy and Jimmie is iconic.How does the board feel about Richie Havens and how would yo rate/compare him???

  • yawn667

    Bob is irrelvant and overrated, he could fart into a microphone and his legions of fans would look around, in confusion at first, until someone hollars out “Genuis!” and slowly all the sheep start saying “Yes, yes, genius!” kind of like when he did the VS commercial…Bob Dylan, the con of the century.
    and ps he is stunningly terrible live, Wille blew his crusty butt off the stage when he was opening for him a few years back.

  • MarcR

    It's a shame to have to see Joni Mitchell degenerate this way

  • johnnyBgood1

    Joni Mitchell has been teetering on the edge of her sanity for so long now, and it is finally gone. Dis not lest ye be dissed. Jimi must have spikked her wine, and she looked at clouds from both sides and she really don't know anything at all…..

  • guest

    Jaco Pastorius died (I believe) from a beating he took, somewhere in Florida. Drunk and under-employed…what a waste of an amazing talent.

  • christiefrontdrive4real

    Dude while I agree with you that most of my generation has no clue on what real music is I have to say that the older generations liked subpar music as well. I mean, The Beatles? They were by no means great musicians. 90's bands that were underground like Christie Front Drive or Mogwai run circles around 60's and 70's music because they have actually mastered the instruments instead of relying on lyrics. It's music, not poetry . Beethovern never used lyrics and it's the greatest music ever…lyrics are way overrated.

  • mbr0457

    I didn't even know she was still alive. What has she done since court and spark? They don't even play her on the crusty oldies stations. Go back to your hippie cave and sink gracefuly into old age…

  • christiefrontdrive4real

    60s and 70s music is overrated. The Beatles musically were subpar. Dylan knew a total of 3 chords. While I agree that the likes of most modern pop music is horrible, I would stack 90s bands like Christie Front Drive or Mogwai or 2000s bands like Envy or Explosions in the Sky with anyone in the hippie era. Zeppelin was good but they still cant compare to some of the newer bands. Lyrics are WAY overrated. its about the melody, the actual music, the instrumentation. Anyone can write poetry. Not that poetry isn't an art in itself…

  • Wiley

    One of many mistakes so many of us made years ago: Accepting the notion that our music and cultural icons are incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith, morals, ethics and ultimate truths. Yes, you really don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

    Narcissism and its vicissitudes…

  • Alex

    I agree with both her negative sentiments. And she is not the only one to think badly of Bob Dylan. Syd Barrett writes about him in the song “Bob Dylan Blues”, saying among other things, “roam from town to town/guess I get people down/but I don't care too much about that/'cause my gut and my wallet are fat,” and “make a whole lot of dough/but I deserve it though/I've got soul and a good heart of gold/so I'll sing about war and the cold.” The overall tone of the song is that Dylan's whole career is pretty calculated and essentially disingenuous. Personally I have felt less than convinced by Dylan's “art” for a while now. It does indeed seem like opportunism, particularly when one considers the juxtaposition of his lyrics in “Times they are a changing” and his almost immediate refusal to be any kind of spokesman for the civil rights movement and in fact his downright sardonicism in interviews.

    As for Madonna, can anyone really argue tat she isn't totally shallow? There is virtually no artistic merit to her output from start to finish beyond simple aesthetic appeal; and her so-called reinvention, unlike David Bowie's exploratative experiments with theatrical convention, consist in little more than finding a new producer and playing dress-up: yesterday a new age hippie discovering herself to the sounds of William Orbit; tomorrow a cowgirl against the beats of Mirwais Ahmadzaï. It's clever marketing, and no doubt she is a very gifted businesswoman who happens to provide the entertainment she promotes herself, but that is all it is. Plus, it's good to shake your booty to, so I am told.

    There is a tone of outrage in the reaction to Joni Mitchell's observations that irks me, though. The suggestion is that these people's reputations have gradually elevated them to postions of quasi-royalty whereby they are now exempt from criticism. That suggests they can release anything whatsoever they feel like and it will automatically be considered brilliant by association. Unfortunately, due to the unscrupulousness and borderline fanatical behaviour of loyal fans, this is somewhat the case. Artists should strive tirelessly to remain relevant, and we should remember that nobody, no matter how good they once were, if we and they are to consider themselves artists, is beyond criticism.

  • sold more than 20 million

    sorry you are wrong. enjoy the music of your era. But the Beatles were a great band. No one band is everything to everyone. some like metal some like rock some like pop. Its always hard to compare one to the other and in the end time decides. The Beatles still sell well and are covered like crazy. That is the mark of lasting music.

    Try to remember to have some respect for those who opened the door, blazed the trails, instead of walked down the paved pathway

    It's ok you don;t like hippies, we are not to thrilled with you either.

    ali gator chomp chomp chomp

  • Can't we just get along?

    I love Dylan.. He does talk about creating his vocals from Woody Guthrie after he was ill and slurred. Yes, he also sang anti war songs, but would not be active in anti war demonstrations, which has always bothered me. That being said, he is still an amazing talent and it is strange that Joni Mitchell would decide to strike out at him, but that makes a good interview. You can't expect for all artists to get along. Madona.. never claimed to be moral… but once again an amazing talent. I doubt that Grace Slick would deny anything Joni claimed nor would she care.. and Janis.. poor Janis why slam her? I do not think she ever claimed to be a saint either. It just seems strange that Joni Mitchell would strike out at people at this time in her life. We get it.. no one is perfect… now just sing.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/2Q7JK6DSC43GXVOPU5XY6NSWQU zeke

    beatles subpar? That statement is more than enough to flush any credibility you may think you have down the toilet. 60s and 70s music overrated? Did you even live through the empty rock and roll years that preceded them? Crissakes, Alvin and the friggin' Chipmunks were on the cutting edge in the early 60s before the British Invasion, the advent of surf and garage and psychedelia. Rock and roll matured immensely during that period; without that growth we wouldn't have shit in the ensuing years. Where do you think modern-day musicians got their inspiration?

  • long live rock and roll

    lets call the big yellw taxi and put joni in it to never never land because joni you are the weakest link from the 60's and 70's Goodbye [wink]

  • maczones

    Joni Who?… Ah the one hit wonder, now I remember her. Boy has it been that long ago? I am sure Bob is really hurt by her comments to hide and be frightened that his illustrious career is a sham. When Joni “Baloney” Mitchell was washing dishes after performing in the small cafe's she used to sing in along the Canadian frontier, Bob was, unbeknownst to her, paving her way to be somebody. Folk music, until Bob came along was music for squares period. Bob changed the folk music map from that point on period. Joni, unfortunately, at 66 has not learned anything yet to understand why Bob Dylan is Bob Dylan to millions and millions of people the world over. Joni Mitchell's contributions? not even close. Jealousy is certainly a part of everyone that is filled with envy for something you can never have. You made your point so please stay retired and fade away back into obscurity with an asterisk mark… Thank You

  • Shad

    Glad to see someone thinks Madonna is an ugly, evil monster.

  • nathan

    its true about dylan. he has always sang folk songs and acted like he was a weathered working man. he even ripped off and recorded house of the rising son (even tho a folk song) but stole the chord progression finger pickin etc from a guy and told him…”you know you're version of HRS? i just recorded it.” his new blues stuff sucks. Though i LOVE his songs and the mystery of the man. its true. i wish i could get away with calling myself Kerouc Jack and sing folk songs.
    but today people would tear it apart.
    PEOPLE DIDNT CARE BACK THEN CAUSE IT WAS AND IS GOOD MUSIC, & A GOOD MESSAGE.
    joni mitchell should try to find some real talent in this age because all i can find is hipster folk wannabees

  • Chad

    To hell with Joni Mitchell

  • GS

    Years ago, Springsteen said it right—”Trust the art, not the artist.”

  • tkelly

    shut up joni

  • liz987

    She's right! There does seem to be a huge part of the American population that prides themselves on being stupid and shallow. How else would someone like Sarah Palin every have gained the popularity and notoriety she has enjoyed? Admittedly, the 70's had Anita Bryant, the same vile, single-minded, self-serving idiot, but she was seen, by most of the population, as just that… stupid and shallow.

  • Chad

    Why don't you try to sell something Joni?? Maybe you won't be so bitter…

  • hello2010

    Joni didn't say anything which many of us didn't already know. Big deal.

  • just a girl

    Sometimes you just got to vent, the woman has a right to her opinion just as all who have posted comments, including me. She knew the people she speaks of personally, do any of you? She a load to get off her chest and as fo Madonna…well there would have been no Brittney etc without Madonna as a role model. Much of tody's so called music is nothing more than unwanted sound (the definition of noise) Joni Mitcheel has released albums in the last 2 decades but the younger generations do not listen to people who believe in the lessons of the past (by gone era) led Zepplen is one of the greatest bands of all time and so is Green DAy the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Echo and the Bunnyman and the Cure and so on and on…you can find relevance if you only listen. What Joni was trying to say was she has no respect for phony, vacant whores and unfortunatly many(BUT NOT ALL) genxers, millenials and younger have latched on to psuedo celebrities and vacuous and phoney people to be their role models and that the quality of music is in decline; and that is a shame..and by the way Jimi Hendrix was magnificent!

  • Chad

    Joni is just mad because as John Lennon told her, “Why do you let other people have your hits for you?” He was criticizing her lack of instrumentation…

  • Uncle Jessie

    She wrote a couple of decent songs 50 years ago…why do I care what she says?

  • Clearly Smarter Than You.

    You lost your credibility right off the bat with the phrase “according to PerezHilton.” Try reading the LA Times source article, if you want to try to understand Ms. Mitchell's thinking in context. And I do mean “try.”

  • Chad

    Joni's voice drives me up the wall and it always has…….I would rather listen to a vacuum cleaner that accidentally sucked up one of my cats…….

  • minniemobiledriver

    But what about Kate Bush? You all forget Kate, oh poor Kate. What does Joni think of Kate and Kate think of Joni, I hear you ask? In an interview I did with Kate Bush not five minutes ago, she said the following about Joni….. “Girlfriend, that Joni is one Hoochie Momma. Hooooochie Momma. I aint meanin to hate on Joni, but golly gee, she shore does get undah mah fingah nails”. End Quote. Need I say more?

  • Chad

    Kate Bush needs to comb out her bush…

  • BoneJone

    Sounds like a fascinating interview, riveting actually.

  • Annie

    Mitchel sounds crazy she calls Janis Joplin a whore. What kind of whore writes the lyrics to a song as soulfoul, grip clenchingly powerful and sadly beautiful as “A piece of my heart”. I'm hearing a little envy and bitterness from Joni. I think miss Joni has some sexual liberation issues she needs to work out. Take some pointers from Madonna she is a mega international star like few others who pays her own bills and adores her sexuality and minds her own business.

  • teddy

    janis was 10x better than joni could ever hope to be. who cares if she slept around? look at fleetwood mac, or grace slick.

  • http://simpleindulgence-learnmakeup.blogspot.com has been much

    One Word- BITTER MUCH (2 actually)

    (this is what happen if you smoke weeds!)

    Madonna is the best selling female of all time. Read> http://www.simpleindulgence-learnmakeup.blogspo…

    • EmmaSD

      Joni supposedly “criticized Madonna’s cultural influence”. What does that have to do with “Madonna being the best selling female of all time”? Frankly, I don’t know what you mean..perhaps you meant that Madonna is the best selling female artist of all time? Please clarify your comments. I think Joni’s lyrics are probably over your head – too much wit and irony for you to grasp…you prefer the Material Girl, eh? Listen to “Material Girl” and “Song for Sharon” and report back…

  • zaisim

    who cares what this old slag thinks

  • Chris

    What are you talking about? The article was about solo artists, not bands. And as for the bands you mentioned, they are no where near being some of the greatest bands of all time like you stated. The greatest bands of all time are bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, U2. Look at the charts and you will see the spice girls have had more no. 1's than the bands you mentioned.
    As for solo artists, Madonna is at the top. So is MJ and Elvis.
    You may think Britney produces an unwanted sound, but that unwanted sound made her the most successful artist of last decade. You may not like the sound, but a large portion of the population does.
    Joni has released albums in the 90's and 00's. However no-one liked them. Her sound was unwanted. Joni is jelous – Madonna takes one day sell a million albums, Joni takes a million days to sell one album.
    Who is Echo and the Bunnyman?

  • http://ryanemitchell.com Ryan Mitchell

    Oh no! Now ***John Lennon*** is a plagiarist! (From Dylan's “Like a Rolling Stone”: “…You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you…”)
    Seriously Joni? Dylan's just released his 33rd album. Where have you been?

  • notlob

    Check your facts: Janis didn't write “Piece of my Heart.” In fact, she didn't write most of what she sang. Joni is 10 times the artist Janis was. If she hadn't OD'd at 27, nobody'd give a crap about Janis today.

    P.S.: Joni is, and always has been, far more musically sophisticated than Bob (now I'm stealing from David Crosby and Steve Stills). As much as I like him, his voice has always left a lot to be desired. Joni's voice is shot these days, but when she was at her peak, she left most others in the dust.

  • Cap'n Orpehus

    Frank Zappa mentioned in his autobiography that Joni Mitchell used to crash with some of his friends in the 60's. He thought she was a bit slow, she would sit around and play her guitar and drool. Not sure if he banged the bitch or not.

  • MARTIN

    Joni carps on about Grace Slick and Janis Joplin… But we all know how Ms. Mitchell went through two thirds of Crosby Stills and Nash… So for her to come over all Princess Innocent Knickers is a bit rich… Has she forgotten how Rolling Stone labelled her ' the old lady of 1970?' LOL! Also, I don't recall Mitchell ever saying anything positive about The Beatles and/or Lennon and McCartbey's talents…. Must really piss her off that for all her 'great songwriter' kudos, that two lads from Liverpool will always be out in front… As will Bob Dylan… A very bitter woman

  • hello2010

    Besides that, “Roberta Joan Anderson” disses Bob Dylan for using an assumed pen/stage name. That seems kind of hypocritical to me. Besides — rock and roll is a voraciously cannibalistic form of expression. Its charm is that it's “The Thing” of all art forms. Even Pavarotti got sucked into it.

  • Bluesman Mike Lindner

    Without Bob Dylan, Joni would be working in a post office in Canada.

    • EmmaSD

      How did you come up with such a rationalization? Can you please explain? Personally, I believe your comment comes from ignorance…look up the word in the dictionary – it is not a bad thing, just means you do not know the subject matter that you are commenting on.

      • Bluesman2628

        You might be right, Emma.

  • Laurie7

    Wow! Do you hear yourselves? You are all as bad as U.S. politicians. Why, when someone voices and opinion does everyone have to degrade that persons work no matter how brilliant it is.
    Is anybody here familiar with JM's work.
    Really??? like hello 2010…said… She's not saying anything we didn't know. BTW She went by Joni as a child and married Chuck Mitchell.
    To just a girl; I agree with you.
    @ martin; We do NOT ALL know about CS&N Grace & Joplin would probably agree as that were minding the female orgasm, drinking and drugs in those days. Joni polio kept her away from that self-destruction.
    @ Bluesman Bob Dylan had little to do with Joni's success
    Madonna, Brittany are no poets or musicians they are a marketing wet dream. Music used to say things of consciousness and now it seems that nothing is sacred. Joni is extremely talented in many ways.
    @hello 2010…BTW She went by Joni as a child and married Chuck Mitchell. She has lived with polio most her life and now is faced wit another serious chronic illness.
    @ uncle Jesse; She record about 17 albums. Nominated 15 times for a Grammy and won 9 in as many different categorizes. The has collaborated with the best, not to mention an honorable invite to write lyrics for the late great and she was brilliant. Charles Mingus. Joni is extremely talented in many ways.
    @ chad; really? no instrumentation? most artists hold her compositions in awe. BTW I agree. Kate need to comb her bus. LMAO
    @ hasbeen much; smoking weed does not make you bitter, but pain might. She has lived with polio most her life and now is faced with another serious chronic illness. BTW, whats with the dangling prepositions much?
    @ cap'n orifice; Zappa was always known for his caustic humor! He an jonmi had like minds. They both drool… lol
    @ chris; Madonna & Brittany are no poets or musicians they are marketing wet dreams. Music used to say things of consciousness and now it seems that nothing is sacred. Madonna worshiped Joni. No way would she feel as artistically creative as Joni. She could have made Joni a lot of money but JM never sold out.
    As for Perez Hilton??? He's a meanminded antagonist who laughs his way to the bank because you're all so gullible. Seriously, I could drink a case of him and still be on my feet.

  • I'm just sayin'

    too much coffee and TERRIBLE editing. Sorry.

  • I'm just sayin'

    too much coffee and TERRIBLE editing. Sorry.

  • Toddsaed

    Jimi Hendrix once said to Johhny Carson, I am not the greatest guitarist in the world
    just the greatest in this chair, Joni is great , why compare?. Musst have
    been an off day, all have them, but the greatest guitarists are Kenny Burrell
    JOe Pass, John MCLaughlin, any jazz guy can play rings around any rock
    guy, just listen , the complex harmonies and poly rhthyms, virtuousity,
    and creativity are for the ages

  • Guest

    Joni is a great songwriter, but this is really pathetic. This really puts me off listening to her music. If she feels that way about Dylan, why go to the fucking press and slag him off? That’s just cowardly and makes her look like an attention whore.

  • Guest

    Joni is a great songwriter, but this is really pathetic. This really puts me off listening to her music. If she feels that way about Dylan, why go to the fucking press and slag him off? That’s just cowardly and makes her look like an attention whore.

  • Promisedplanet

    I think she’s just jealous that she hasn’t gotten the same amount of attention from the general public as Bob Dylan or Grace Slick. That’s too bad … she really should try to find some peace in herself and be content with what she’s accomplished.

  • Lol

    old grumpy hag

  • Guest

    The American people have become stupid and shallow? That’s ignorant, you know. Assuming something about 300 million people is a pretty big risk, maybe you should take your foot out of your mouth and try again.

    And leave Bob Dylan alone, he’s one hell of a song writer. I’ve always heard good things about Joni Mitchell, but this really soured my view of her. It’s alright, she probably doesn’t care, but that’s just one less fan buying her stuff.

  • Cmyers41

    Ever since Americans have stopped living in failed communes, using loads of illegal drugs, receiving food stamps and smelling up parks with our body odor — as Joni Mitchell’s generation did — we have become stupid. Good observation, Joni!

  • Bluesman2628

    Oh, yeah.  Joni Mitchell criticizing other female singers for doing the do with guy musicians is truly mighty hypocracy.