Joni Mitchell honored with Library of Congress Gershwin Award

Joni Mitchell was honored for her legendary music career with the Gershwin Award from the Library of Congress on Wednesday night.

The 79-year-old singer was honored at the annual event held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC, with several luminaries joining her.

Other attendees at the event included musicians Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Brandi Carlile, Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe from Lucius, James Taylor, Paul Williams, Jess Wolf, Ledisi and actress Lynda Carter.

Carlile performed at the event, with a cast of singers including 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 Popular Song Award celebrates the work of an artist whose career reflects influence, impact and achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding.

Mitchell appeared at the event in a long, ankle-length teal dress with a gold beret and matching gold-rimmed sunglasses.

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

The singer-songwriter finished her look with black heeled ankle boots as she took 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 influence, impact, and achievement in advancing song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden presented him with the award during the gala event.

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

“Joni Mitchell’s music and art have left a clear impression on American and international culture, crossing over folk music with a distinctive voice whose songs will stay with us for centuries,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.

“Joni Mitchell’s music has so many artists and music lovers singing along to her songs,” Hayden added in her statement.

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

Wednesday’s event was filmed and will air as a tribute concert on Friday, March 31 on PBS.

Mitchell was born in Fort McLeod, Alberta, Canada and began honing his craft at clubs across Canada before settling in the United States.

His 1971 album Blue is widely considered one of the greatest of all time, ranking #3 on Rolling Stone’s 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

He 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 a full set at the Newport Folk Festival, his first full set in over 20 years, alongside Brandi Carlile.

It was announced in October that Mitchell will perform at the Gorge Amphitheater in East Seattle on June 10.