I have never seen Joni Mitchell live in person, but I have been in the same room when she won some big awards. In 1996 I had scored a Grammy ticket and checked out the pre-TV show portion where they name dozens and dozens of awards. This was at the Shrine Auditorium in LA, capacity 6,300. Much more cozy then now when they have it in big time arenas.
There were maybe a thousand people in the theater, half of them seemed to be the nominees themselves. Several were awarded and "accepted on their behalf" as category after category from polka to country to jazz to classical to pop etc were bestowed.
The reactions ranged from quite reserved (been there done that) to quite ecstatic, such as John Popper/Blues Traveler who happened to be sitting right in front of me when their name was called. They jumped for genuine joy.
Best Album Packaging came up and Mitchell was for Turbulent Indigo. I was actually pulling for Neil Young (Mirror Ball) or Pearl Jam (Vitalogy) who were also nominated.
Joni's name was called as the Winner and she happened to be behind the curtain, due to being scheduled as a presenter for the TV show and was summoned to the stage. She was just giddy and felt honored to get a Grammy for the first time since 1974. To add some intrigue, her already separated husband (Larry Klein) shared the stage as an honoree.
It just felt really cool for such an icon to be honored and reciprocate with just how happy she was to be celebrated for her visual art. It was Mitchell's third Grammy in her career.
She did not have to wait long for a 4th. Later that night she scored a big upset over Mariah Carey for Best Pop Album. Other nominees were the Eagles, Annie Lennox and Madonna. Hard to say which award made her more excited.
Mitchell has now racked up 10 Grammys (including a Lifetime Achievement) and is nominated again this year for her comeback live album,
Joni Mitchell at Newport.
It has been announced she is scheduled to perform this Sunday.
Joni Mitchell will perform on the Grammys for the first time Feb. 4, capping an intermittent series of returns to the stage in the last two years.
variety.com